Selling Tips

Selling your home is one of the most important financial decisions most people will make in their lifetime. Consequently we offers the following information as a guide to anyone considering such a move.

There are several ways to sell a property

You can auction it
This is normally recommended for a property for which it is hard to establish a market price. It has the advantage of a definite date for the auction plus the possibility of competitive bidders paying more than they otherwise would. The disadvantages are that many buyers shy away from auctions as they give little guide to price and they are normally required to sign a cash unconditional contract before or at the auction. Consequently many buyers wait till after the auction for a clear indication of the price and the ability to submit contracts subject to finance or building inspections.

You can open list it
This method means you list your property for sale with several local agents and whoever sells it gets all the commission. Some people think that if you have it with a number of agents they will compete to sell your property. The fact is that what is everyone's business ends up being no one's business. Unless it is a bargain price most agents are too busy servicing the properties they have a commitment towards.

You can sole or exclusive agency it
This means you list your property with one agent for a set time period as a sole agency. They are the only agent that will attempt to sell the property or will be paid a commission if it sells. You can contribute advertising either wholly or in partnership with the agent. The advantage is the agent has a commitment to you to get the property sold and is working hard for you as he knows he has a commission at the end.

Our program is different

We recommend a system combining the best elements of several systems producing a better result overall i.e. an exclusive agency combined with multi-list/realnet.

Our service offers:

• Open House
• Local Colour Advertising
• Regular Feedback
• Conjunction Sales with Other Agents
• Seven-day Trading
• Competitive Market Analysis
• Qualified Buyers
• Internet Listing
• Excellent Signage
• Large Referral Network

Where do our buyers live?

Statistics over time show us the following results:

Three-quarters of buyers come from within the same or adjoining postcode area.

How do we find them?

Each of the above is an important element in locating a buyer for your property.

Who determines the price?

Perhaps the most important question facing you at the moment concerns the price you should be asking for the property.

You certainly don't want to sell too cheaply, nor would you want to overprice it preventing it from being sold.

The price a property brings is influenced by:

• Recent sales in the area
• Other properties currently for sale

Don't overvalue your property
Everyone who buys a home expects it to appreciate in value over the long-term. The value may increase as a result of market forces and inflation or it may be a result of improvements that have been made to the home. Some improvements however do not add the total cost on to the price of the home. It is quite easy to over capitalise a property by over improving.

The lemon tag
The longer a property is on the market the more the owners will have to drop to get a sale.Overpricing leads to properties staying on the market longer than average. Buyers wonder what is wrong with the property. (the lemon tag) A realistic asking price to begin with while allowing some room for negotiation encourages buyers to inspect the property.

Helpful marketing tips to get it sold!

You never get a second chance at a first impression.

• A neat and tidy garden with lawns mowed and edges trimmed will create a favourable impression.
• Clean cobwebs from the exterior of the house.
• Clean all windows and screens to make the most of views etc.
• Minor faults like leaking taps, missing grout, sticking cupboard and torn fly screens divert the buyers attention from the properties good points.

Keep it tidy

This doesn't mean the house has look like a show home but the following will help:

• Keep traffic areas clear of ornaments and clutter to create a more spacious feel.
• Many buyers will want to check inside cupboards for storage space. Now is the time for that trip to the tip you've been meaning to do.
• Tidy up the garage and other storage areas to make them bigger and cleaner.
• Remove all the clutter from the bench tops. Put away anything that isn't regularly used.
• Open the windows and blinds. A light bright and airy atmosphere is much more appealing to buyers.
• Kitchens and bathrooms are very important. Try to keep them as clean and odour free as possible.
• Replace any item not included in the sale. If your curtains or light fittings are not included replace them before selling. Negotiations can be unnecessarily complicated or even lost over inclusions.
• Don't lose your own sale. After greeting the agent and buyer it is wise to busy yourself elsewhere. Water the garden or take the dog for a walk. Too many people make the buyer feel uncomfortable.
• Don't apologise for the condition of the house. Buyers understand that it is a home being lived in and make allowances. Commenting on shortcomings will only draw attention to them.
• Turn off the television and radio. Human conversation or loud music is very distracting.
• Keep pets away. (Especially dogs!) Many buyers are afraid of or don't care for pets. They may even be allergic to their fur.
• If you are a smoker avoid smoking indoors while the house is on the market. Tobacco smoke is very noticeable to non-smokers.

As a trained professional your agent knows properties are not sold by hard sell. Our understanding of the psychology of real estate sales will find you the one buyer you are looking for. Our advertising involves carefully selecting a property which draws inquires from good qualified buyers. They will be shown all suitable properties on our books. Should the buyer not want your property it doesn't mean the next buyer won't.