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Selling Your Home
YOU HAVE DECIDED THAT NEWTOWN’S BEST TEAM WILL HANDLE YOUR SALE
Here are a few easy steps will ensure your journey is stream-lined and stress free.
AUCTION OR PRIVATE TREATY?
You need to decide between harnessing the power of buyer excitement with an auction program or going with a more relaxed method of sale by private treaty. Each has its merits depending upon a properties unique characteristics. If it is likely to have multiple buyers, an auction may be able to grab the greatest price. If it is more unique and perhaps needs a special buyer or you simply want more control, then sale by private treaty might be the answer. Sit down and discuss the benefits of both with your agent who has experience in both processes and knows the market well.
PRESENTING YOUR PROPERTY
"You never get a second chance to make a first impression".
The first impression must be positive when a buyer visits your property. A home that "shows well sells well". Experience constantly indicates that a well presented home will sell more quickly and, usually, for a higher price. In preparing your home for the market, the aim is to spend as little money as possible to enhance its appeal.
An excellent test is to go outside, close your eyes and say to yourself… "I'm a buyer seeing this house for the first time ! ". Go right through the house and look at it as a potential buyer would.
HERE IS A FEW THINGS TO CONSIDER.
Outside Appeal - Have an Exterior House Wash. This isn't expensive and can really give a lift to paint work
Maximise Available Sunlight. Clear things from around windows and prune trees that may have got out of hand
What About a Few Pot Plants. Pot plants can lend a touch of colour and make your home feel more welcoming and best of all you can take them with you when you go.
Keep The Lawns Ship Shape. This is very easy and very inexpensive to do. Keep your lawns mown weekly and make sure the lawn edging is straight and crisp.
Sparkling Swimming Pool. If you have a pool, ensure that it is clear of leaves, the water clean, tiles are clean top and bottom and any pool equipment is stored away.
Pets. Pets should be kept well out of the way during open homes. You may cherish your pet but some people will not come into a house that has a dog running loose.
Have A Spring Clean. Sounds obvious, but what a difference a spring clean can make. Carpet cleaning can help make a home look and even smell much more inviting, particularly if pets are present. And when windows sparkle the whole home seems to take on more vitality and life.
Flowers And Warmth. Fresh flowers are always welcoming in a home and sometimes smell wonderful too. During summer open all windows and doors to the sun. In winter have the fire or heater going to warm the home up.
Make The Most Of Your Space. Space is another significant universal requirement so make the most of it by 'creating' a feeling of space. You can do this by removing clutter, storing things in boxes, even re-arranging the furniture. Make the most of the space in every room.
Spruce Up The Paint Work. When it's necessary, sprucing up the paint work can be an investment that pays big dividends. But remember it needs to be done well, rough edges or paint on the windows will send all the wrong signals to prospective buyers
And Don't Forget The Bathroom and Laundry. If mildew is present, use a commercially available mildew remover to give these naturally damp areas a fresh look. And if there's lino on the floor which needs replacement, do so with a relatively nondescript pattern.
Kitchens Are Important Too. The two key things which can most readily be done to improve the look are replacing cupboard doors (using the existing doors as templates) and, budget permitting, replacing the bench top unit. Both of these are considered purchases but in the right circumstances, can be well worth the investment.
SETTLEMENT
Once the deal is done, the packing boxes come out in preparation for settlement. Settlement is the conclusion of the sale process where ownership of the property goes from you to the new party. This usually happens around six weeks after the contract has been agreed upon and signed. A solicitor handles this so all you need to do is wait for the call, drop off the keys and embrace your new beginnings.
More information can be found on the NSW Fair Trading website