Tips To Sell Your Property - What You Need To Know
Category Property Advice
Selling your property is not as simple as putting it on the market and waiting for the offers to flood in. You need to understand the market, what buyers want from a home and how best to price your property. Too high and it could sit, too low and you stand the chance of losing out financially. Looking to sell? Follow the steps below to ensure you get the best price for your property.
Finding the right agent
First and foremost, you need to ensure you have the right agent to partner with. Our trusted property advisors understand the local market, are knowledgeable on current trends and can advise on necessary home improvements to maximise your property's value; can co-ordinate the marketing of your home; and are well equipped to compare the surrounding property values to your own to ensure yours enters the market at the right price. More importantly, they are credible, ethical and offer a hands-on relationship that does not end with the sale of your property and the handing over of the keys.
"It is critical to work with the right agent and somebody you trust, "says The Agency's Managing Director, Kyle Leigh.
"Transparency and adding value are key for us in creating a partnership with our clients. Today power is gained by sharing knowledge, not hoarding it and trust happens when people are transparent. Adding value beyond the transaction is critical - we strive to give people more than what they expect, and we want to be our clients' Trusted Property Advisor for life."
Know when to sell
Finding the right property advisor is paramount because it helps you navigate the journey from start to finish and knowing when to enter the market is the first step down the road. If you have time, be sure to follow the advisor's advice on when you should be putting your property on the market. Is it currently a seller's market or is it currently favouring the buyer? Rushing the sale may end up costing you on the sale.
"Everybody's situation is very unique," says The Agency's co-founder, Simony Santos.
"You need to have the trust of your advisor to be able to discuss your needs openly and honestly to come up with the best possible scenario for you. 'Should we rent for six months to a year... should we look at a short-term rental or alternatively should we sell?' It's very difficult to predict the market, but being on the ground daily, we have a very good sense of where the market is at any given time and how quickly things do turn."
Keep it tight, keep it tidy
The Agency has never been keen on show houses, preferring instead to offer a curated, appointment only viewing, but the rules are the same: keep your property clean, and keep it ready for viewing at all times. The outside of your property sets the tone for all that lies in wait. Make sure your bins are out of site, move your cars from the front, and ensure the area is clean and tidy. Inside, avoid any clutter, keep the counters clean and clear and ensure the dishes are clean and packed away! The same goes for your outside areas and if you have a pool, make sure it's clear of leaves and crystal blue, not swampy green.
Kitchen and bathrooms still come out tops
The kitchen is still very much the heart of the home and plays a big part in how your home is being viewed by potential buyers. Not only does it need to be clean and orderly, but it needs to be maintained. Counter tops and cupboards and drawers are front and centre and should any repairs need to be done, do so, but keep the maintenance as cost-effective as possible.
The same goes for the bathroom, replace old fixtures with new ones, but there is no need to blow the budget to ensure your bathrooms look tip top. Taps and showerheads, and toilet seats, can be replaced easily, while you should also take time to regrout around the bath and shower.
It's the small things that count
At the end of the day, it's often the little things that count the most. Make sure all the cracks are sealed and repainted, squeaky doors are oiled, and jammed windows are dealt with, because a buyer wants to picture themselves in a home that has been well-looked after.
Soft-scented air fresheners, scented candles, or even freshly-baked goodies are a nice way of providing a sense of comfort, while also go a long way in hiding any smells of pets or old cooking fragrances. While you should also avoid interruptions during a viewing - it's often best to leave for the time of the viewing and leave it in the hands of your property advisor.
Finally, make sure you are open about any defects or legacy issues the buyer may encounter. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it also means you can leave your old property with a clear conscience.
"It is now prescribed by law for sellers to sign a mandatory disclosure form (property condition report) and a Property Practitioner may not accept a mandate to sell or lease unless provided with a fully completed and signed mandatory disclosure form (as prescribed in the Regulations)," stresses Leigh.
"If this form is not completed and provided to the purchaser then it will be accepted that no defects were disclosed to the buyer, and the seller will be completely exposed for defect claims and will legislatively have no defence to such claims."
With all the above in mind, Leigh firmly believes that the most important step is in finding the right agent, and agency, to work with. The importance of trust and open communication cannot be understated.
"For us it's about building relationships. We strive to provide exceptional personal service. We aim to go beyond merely communicating to 'connecting' with people."
Author: The Agency Property Group
