From start to finish our team of 4 sales agents have experience in each and every process of selling a property. Our experience is only one of the things we can offer when your thinking of selling. We have put together some information below that will help you on your way. Still have questions??? Call our office today on 02 4455 3800 and talk to one of our friendly team, we'll look after you.

An Agent's Role

Results & Peace of Mind 

In Australia, over 90% of sales are made through real estate agents.

A real estate agent is a professional with local market expertise and experience. They can give you with current information about prices, financing, marketing and general information about the housing market. An agent will act on your behalf, providing you with advice and guidance to help you objectively evaluate buyer offers.

Consider the reputation of the agency, the agent’s track record in sales and knowledge of the local area. On a personal level, consider how they present themselves and the rapport you have with them.

How Raine & Horne Can Help You?

Reputation
Raine & Horne has been providing professional advice and service since its establishment in 1883. The company enjoys a reputation and goodwill said to be unequalled in the industry.

Experience
For over 130 years, Raine & Horne has had one of the highest nationwide sales turnovers in the industry and enjoyed strong success through peaks and troughs in the market.

Brand Recognition
Raine & Horne is a powerful, widely respected brand associated with experience and quality of service. Your property will be noticed by more buyers because of the reach and power of the brand.

Professional Agents
To achieve our envied reputation as an Australian real estate leader, our agents receive the benefit of the latest marketing strategies and selling techniques.

Technology
Our website rh.com.au/ulladulla has easy to use resources for buyers, sellers, renters and landlords. It is an innovative service that facilitates trouble-free navigation and is consistently ranked as a top industry site, with tens of thousands of properties displayed and thousands of individual visitors recorded each day.

Our Network
Our clients benefit from the flow of referrals and information from Raine & Horne’s extensive network of national and international offices.

Creative Selling
When selling property with Raine & Horne, clients can make use of our creative marketing ideas, our ‘top of the class’ auction practice and our ability to offer national and international exposure.

 

Methods of Sale

Auction or Private Treaty?

There are several ways to sell your property. The most common are auction or private treaty. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Your agent will advise on the best method based on the type and location of your property, the nature of the market and your preferred time frame. Below is a summary of both methods.

Advantages of auction

Auction is recognised as an effective way of creating broad public interest, achieving maximum publicity and reaching a large number of prospective purchasers.

Best Price

Properties marketed through the auction process often achieve prices much higher than the seller’s expectations. There is no upper limit for bids.

You Control the Process
Vendors choose where and when they want to sell the property, the terms and conditions of sale and the price they are willing to accept.

Convenience
A short but comprehensive marketing campaign means less disruption to family life. Set inspection times for potential buyers are arranged at the outset, with ‘open for inspections’ limited due to the short nature of the campaign.

Maximum Exposure
Auction campaigns are tailored to enable maximum marketplace exposure. Concentrated marketing over a short period attracts a higher level of interest and genuine buyers.

The Market Determines the Price
Auction is a great way to determine the real value of a property. Eliminating price lets the market determine what your property is really worth.

Auction Works to a Plan
The marketing strategy is carefully planned, documented and specially tailored. A firm date is set for the potential sale.

Reserve Price
A reserve price is set and the property cannot be sold below this price without owner approval. The reserve need not be set until just prior to auction. The owner’s reserve is not disclosed during the auction.

Auction is Conclusive and Contracts are Signed Immediately
When a buyer purchases a property at an auction, the contract is signed immediately and the buyer must pay a deposit. The contract cannot be rescinded by the purchaser, which safeguards against loss of contract and sale.

Private Treaty

Selling by private treaty also offers several benefits.

• You set the price
• Offers can be considered at leisure
• The pace of negotiations can be controlled
• Buyers might be more comfortable with a cooling off period
• Private treaty can sometimes be less stressful
• Marketing costs might be lower
• Prospective purchasers not prepared to bid at auction prefer private treaty

 

Marketing & Contracts

Marketing, Agency Agreements & Contracts

Before your home is officially put on the market there are legal requirements to be satisfied, a marketing plan to be designed, and you must prepare your home for sale.

Reaching Prospective Buyers

A carefully planned, well-executed marketing plan will bring the best result. Your agent will recommend a suitable marketing campaign. The program will set out a period for promotion, various media to be used and cost. Each program is carefully prepared to suit each individual property. The agent is responsible for carrying out the campaign, which will generally include:

• Signboard
• Window Display
• Brochures
• Newspaper Advertising
• Letterbox Drop-flyer
• Property Magazine
• Internet - real estate websites
• Open Homes

 

Agency Agreements

When you engage a real estate agent to sell your property, you must sign a contract called an agency agreement. This is legally binding and authorises an agent to act on your behalf in relation to the sale of your property. The agreement usually has a specified term and includes an estimate of the selling price, services the agent will provide and commission you must pay. It will also include advertising and marketing costs.

There are different agency agreements. The most common are:

Exclusive Selling Agency Agreement
Exclusive agency agreements give the agent exclusive rights to sell your property.

Open Selling Agency Agreement

This lets you list your property with several agents but many agents will only agree to exclusive listings. You pay a commission to the agent who finds the buyer. Open listings are not available in all states or territories.

Auction Selling Agency Agreement

This is effectively an exclusive agency agreement where the property is listed for auction.
 

Contract For Sale

Before a residential property can be sold, a contract for sale must be prepared. The contract must include all documentation relating to the property as required by each state or territory’s laws. Your agent will explain the required documentation. The contract must also include any property inclusions and exclusions and the buyer’s cooling-off period.

 

Preparing Your Home For Sale

First Impressions Count

First impressions are lasting so suitable presentation of your property is critical. Your agent can advise you of changes that should be made which could add value or increase the attractiveness of your property. A good guide is to remove everything not absolutely essential. Below are simple suggestions that will help achieve the highest price possible. 

Outdoors

A bright, cheery home invites inspection. Keep lawns trimmed and edged and flower beds cultivated. Remove leaves from paths and verandas. Ensure windows are sparkling.

De-clutter – most important

Clear away all clutter, clean surfaces and ensure all fixtures are operational. Remove objects from the floor (such as children’s toys) that might cause accidents. Keep front entrance and stairways clear.

Sparkling interior

Clean walls, floors and skirting boards, marks on the carpet or around light switches. Put clutter away neatly in cupboards, clear table and counter tops and do not leave dishes in the sink. Give your house a good clean.

Flowers

Fresh flowers are an attractive way to brighten a room.

Odours

Refresh your house and remove any bad or strong odours.

Storage and closet space

Storage is an important feature. Remove all unnecessary articles that have accumulated.

Fix faults

Repair defects that can annoy buyers such as dripping taps, sticking doors, loose tiles, etc.

Bedrooms

Neat orderly rooms look larger. Tidy bedrooms for a spacious appearance. Keep all drawers and wardrobe doors closed. Keep bedside tables free of clutter. Fresh clean sheets are essential. Avoid busy patterns on duvet covers.

Bathroom

Bright, clean bathrooms sell houses. Remove mould and personal items. Use a lightly scented room atomiser to ensure the room smells fresh and inviting.

Lounge room

A minimal approach will always look cleaner and more importantly, spacious. Make sure the room is spotless and free of clutter. Pay particular attention to the entertainment area and bookshelves. Remove dust and ensure cords are neat and out of sight.

Kitchen

Clean the entire kitchen, with special attention to food preparation areas (sink, stove, oven, grill). Ensure all open food products are out of sight. Clean shelves thoroughly and arrange stored goods attractively.

Colour

Solid light tones on walls are brought to life with a couple of styled prints or wall hangings.

Leave the house

Avoid having too many people present during inspections to avoid potential purchasers feeling crowded or uncomfortable.

Remove animals from the house

Animals can get in the way and some people are allergic or do not like animals.

Background sound

If you choose to play music make sure it is suitable. Turn off the TV and radio – they can distract people.

 

The Sale Valuation, Negotiation and Closing the Sale

What is Your Property Worth?

It is important to set a realistic price. Your agent will give a market opinion and provide a true price estimate. Beware any agent who says they can achieve a high price without substantiating their claim with facts. Agents interpret the market - they do not create it. Overpricing is the most common reason properties fail to sell.

Market opinion will be made based on evidence from:

(a) Data sources, e.g. property data;

(b) Recent advertisements;

(c) Recent sales negotiated by the office;

(d) Sales made by other agents, and;

(e) Any valuation from a registered valuer

  

Negotiating and Accepting an Offer

It is important that your agent manages this part of the transaction as they have experience in this field. If you are approached by a buyer you should refer them to your agent. Your agent will qualify the buyer and ensure they are in a position to buy immediately. Once the buyer is qualified and assuming they have an interest in your property, your agent will receive an offer that you can choose to accept or reject. Your agent can advise whether it is a fair offer and should be accepted, but ultimately it is up to you.

Sale by Auction

Setting a Reserve Price
Before auction you must advise your agent in writing of a reserve price, which is the lowest amount you are willing to accept.  If bidding does not reach your reserve, the property will be passed in. If your property is passed in, the agent will negotiate with interested bidders to achieve a sale. If a sale is not achieved, your agent will then proceed to seek buyers on a private treaty basis.

Sale at Auction

If the property is sold at auction the successful bidder is required to sign the contract of sale and pay a deposit (usually 10%) immediately. A cooling-off period does not apply.

Contract Exchange

Once you have accepted an offer on your house, a contract must be signed by buyer and seller, with a copy of the signed contract provided to both parties. When the contract is signed, the buyer is required to pay a deposit (usually 10% of the purchase price), and the remainder is paid at settlement.

Buyers of residential property may have a cooling-off period following the signing by both parties of the contract, during which they can withdraw from the sale. During the cooling-off period it is common for buyers to organise inspections of property, e.g. pest or building inspections. The cooling-off period can be waived, reduced or extended by negotiation under certain circumstances.

There is no cooling-off period for sellers and no cooling off period for buyers who have purchased at auction.

The legal process for preparing and exchanging contracts, and the length and conditions of the cooling-off period, can differ between States and Territories. Your agent will explain the legal process applicable in your state or territory.

Settlement

Settlement usually occurs 4 to 6 weeks after contracts are signed. At settlement, the buyer officially becomes the owner of the property and all responsibility is passed from vendor to buyer. Until settlement, the property is still the vendor’s responsibility so it is important you keep insurances and rates paid.