Selling

Most property owners receive offers for a market appraisal from one or more real estate agents on a weekly basis. While this offer is designed to be the first point of contact between property owners and agents and offered as a free service, the appraisal itself can be a valuable tool if handled correctly.

Is the price ideal?

Ideally, property owners should seek at least three opinions on their property’s value before making any decisions. The median value of the three appraisals will likely be the most accurate indication of the property’s worth. If the figures quoted by the agents seem too high or too low, this may be due to flaws in the marketing or valuation processes.

Marketing, commissions, property sale methods, and gut instinct are all important factors to consider when choosing an agent to work with. Property owners should carefully assess each agent’s strengths and weaknesses before making a decision that will have a significant financial impact on their future.

What makes the price ideal?

An effective appraisal should include advice on how to present the property in its best light and whether any potential improvements are worth carrying out. The external appearance of the property is crucial, as most buyers instinctively look at it first. Maintaining the garden, the path leading to the front door, and ensuring the doorbell works can create a lasting positive impression.

Taking a closer look

Inside the property, property owners should create an invitingly lived-in look with the help of their agent’s advice on lighting, fragrances, pets, and general tidiness. Adding fresh flowers, brewing coffee, and a drop of vanilla essence on a warm hotplate for a just-finished cooking aroma can help to entice buyers.

Distance is key

It is important that property owners not be present during inspections. This is to protect the owners’ sensitivity as what they love about their own property may not be what a future owner may appreciate. It also creates a welcoming atmosphere that buyers will appreciate. Many agents suggest that homeowners be flexible about inspection times during the selling period to ensure the property is available to the widest range of potential buyers.

Market appraisals can be an invaluable tool for property owners. Seeking at least three opinions and carefully assessing each agent’s strengths and weaknesses can make a significant difference when selling a property. Maintaining the external appearance of the property and creating an inviting interior can help attract buyers. Finally, property owners should be flexible and not present during inspections to create a positive experience for potential buyers.

Final words

If you want to make sure you’re getting the best outcome for your property, get in touch with our team now and let us help you navigate the market to get the best price for you.

Selling a home involves various considerations ranging from repairs, finding the right agent, presenting the property well, to deciding where to move next. However, there are five additional areas that homeowners should take into account before or during the selling process. These include understanding the current market, building trust with the agent, checking tenant and property history, and providing access details for future owners.

Do your research

One of the critical aspects of selling a property is researching the current market. Homeowners should have a good understanding of the property market in their area, including recent sales and pricing trends. They can investigate the real estate portals to get an idea of properties listed or sold in the neighbourhood before engaging an agent to sell. This knowledge can help them come to an agreement on the eventual list price.

Establish trust between you and your agent

Another crucial factor is building a good relationship with the sales agent. Homeowners need to trust their agent to assist them in making one of the most significant transactions of their lifetime. If they have questions or doubts about the agent’s experience or the process, they should not hesitate to ask for clarification. This way, they can feel comfortable with the process and satisfied with the final sale.

Review the obligations of the owner and tenant

If the property being sold has a tenant, homeowners should check the tenant and owner obligations with their property manager. This information may include access to the property for inspections and notice periods required once the property sells. Depending on the circumstances, homeowners may choose to sell the property tenanted or provide the tenant with notice before selling. The lease terms and tenancy details should be communicated to the sales agent and solicitor before the sale as this may affect the type of buyer interested and the terms of the contract exchange.

Conduct an inventory of keys and access details

Before settlement, homeowners should conduct a stocktake on keys and access devices such as garage remotes and alarms. This process will ensure that all keys and devices are handed over to the new owner, including any spare or duplicate keys. In some cases, homeowners may find that some keys do not fit the locks or are missing, requiring them to take action to replace or repair them.

Review the property history and requirements

Homeowners should check the property’s history and requirements before selling. There may be caveats or requirements listed over the property that may affect the sale or attract a different type of buyer. For instance, some properties may be heritage-listed, while others may have restrictions over potential development applications or renovations. It is essential to be transparent about this information before the sale so that potential buyers can make informed decisions.

Speak with one of our sales agents to stay up-to-date with the latest sales and trends in your area. If you’re unsure whether to keep or sell your property, our sales team can also provide you with the information you need in order to make the best decision.

There is no shortage of information and opinion about any real estate market and an abundance of advice on what the best options are in the market at the time.

If you are an investment property owner, there might be information relating to changes in legislation, potential tax benefits and dips and rises in the property market, all influenced by various local and world factors.

What is the most important aspect to consider when choosing to sell your investment is your individual circumstances and the strategy that fits your goals, rather than moving with the crowd.

Before making any decisions, analyse your investment plan and talk to your financial advisor about your current situation. They are likely to work through the numbers with you and advise if the conditions are right for you.

One of the reasons that you choose to sell could be that the property expenses and cash flow have consistently been in negative territory and with rising interest rates and costs associated with running an investment, you may find that making ends meet has become more challenging.

Your advisor can work through your finances with you and should you decide to keep the property, may recommend solutions like refinancing your current loans to source a better deal. Our sales team can also assist, by providing a market appraisal of the property so that you can gauge where the current value lies prior to refinancing.

The market is cyclical, and you may decide that with increases in prices achieved in your local area, that it is a great time to sell and invest in other strategies. Keep in mind that if there are considerable gains, you will be liable for capital gains tax after the sale.

Not all markets are the same and there are often micro-markets. While some are increasing, others could be decreasing or prices stabilising. The same occurs for rental properties and increases in rents achieved will depend on demand.

The best way to find out what is happening in your area is to speak with one of our sales agents who can provide you with an accurate update on recent sales and the trends that they are seeing.

Our sales team can also offer the information you need to start thinking about whether you should retain or look at the divestment of your property.

Changes in the property market, increases in the costs of living and rising interest rates can all contribute toward mortgage stress and while repayments on loans or everyday expenses may rise, there are steps that you can take to help ease the pressures of increased expenses.

Health check your budget

Before cutting costs, it is wise to sit down and look at your budget. It does not need to be a complex task but should involve noting down the income and expenditure of your household and analysing where your funds are being allocated.

You may find that it is a great time to renegotiate with your lender on your mortgage, or other providers for insurance, utilities, while trimming unnecessary other expenses. You might also discover that there are some lax spending habits that could be tightened to relieve some pressure.

Purchase when you have the affordability

If you are looking to purchase a new property, talk with your financial advisor about your affordability range and the impact that rising interest rates and expenses may have. A financial advisor can also talk you through various financial scenarios and negotiate deals for lending. 

Knowing your affordability and having pre-approval will also mean that when you are ready to buy, the finance is arranged, and you have a limit for the purchase price of your new home or investment. 

Seek financial advice

Should you need to refinance, talk with your advisor about your options and what is available to you based on the current market, equity in your home and investments, rates, and your income. They will be able to provide you with advice and search for the best deal for you.

Talk to your lender about your current repayments and if you are paying monthly, there may be more options to change to fortnightly loan repayments which can have the potential to save you interest in the future. 

Check your property value

While you may not be considering selling, it is good to know how much your property is worth in the current market and learn about the trends. 

Our sales agents can also assist you with advice on potential improvements that may be needed and help you to uncover potential equity in the home that can assist in refinancing or investment opportunities.

For a free market appraisal, contact our agents to learn more about where your property is positioned.

If you own a rural property, you will understand the differences that your home has from those in suburban or city areas and the unique features that the property has. You will understand its quirks and charm and the challenges that can come with owning a rural property.

When you do choose to sell your rural property, finding an agent that understands the distinctive market that your home is placed in is crucial to the success of the sale. Our agents can help you to find the best possible buyer at the right price for your property.

What are the unique selling points

You have lived in the property and the area for the duration of your home ownership and perhaps longer and will know the key features that will attract the right buyer. Your agent can also assist you with identifying these elements.

Think about what makes the property appealing, especially for those making a tree change from the style of the home and its inclusions to distance from amenities, the size of the property and the local wildlife. 

Allow time to prepare the home for sale

Given the size of a rural property, the time for preparation can be much longer than a property in the suburbs or city. There is more space in the home and the grounds are often much larger.

Allow time to prepare the home for sale including potential repairs or small renovations, cleaning and styling and landscaping of lawn and garden areas. If you have a property with older sheds and storage, it may also mean cleaning out these areas in preparation for sale.

Market on its unique qualities

Our agents will work with you to identify the rare elements of your home and highlight these to potential buyers during a sales campaign. 

A rural property differs from those in city areas and will appeal to certain buyers. It is important to develop a marketing campaign that suits the individuality of the home to ensure that it is attracting the right interest. 

Putting a spotlight on its key attributes and the local area and benefits can assist with gaining interest from a wider market that is not just locals but also those who are looking for a change.

Whatever your next step is, contact our selling agents who are market specialists in rural sales. They can help you to make the right decision in the sale of your exclusive property. 

Finding a professional and qualified agent to sell your home may be a daunting process at first and it is essential to find the right agent to guide you through the selling campaign and beyond during your move.

While it can seem like a straightforward job, selling your home takes skill in sourcing qualified buyers and negotiating through the sale process. There are tasks that happen behind the scenes that you won’t see as a vendor to ensure that the stress is removed from you throughout the sale.

Market knowledge and experience

An experienced sales agent will have their finger on the pulse of what is happening in the local market and activity and will be able to pinpoint the type of buyers that would be interested in your home. 

Someone who has had experience in your area and a history of recent sales will know how to price the property correctly and will be upfront with the reality of price expectations. A property that is overpriced in a tighter market can lead to possible significant price drops in some cases and a property not selling in the time frame that you may expect.

Qualified buyers and community

A great sales agent will have a community of contacts of those that are looking to buy and may be interested in your property. They will have nurtured these contacts over time and be familiar with buyers who have finance ready to go and move on a sale.

For buyers who are not finance-approved or just beginning their search, the process may take longer as they will need to ensure that they have finance ready. If not, they take a risk when purchasing that they may not be able to follow through with the sale if they are declined or affordability changes. 

As a vendor, pre-qualified buyers can allow an extra level of certainty around the sale as there is more security in knowing that their finance is approved, and they are ready to buy.

 Negotiating the sale

Throughout a sales campaign, your real estate agent will spend time on the phone talking with potential buyers, pre-qualifying them and then showing them through your property. They will take the time to learn about what the buyer is looking for and determine the right fit.

A sales agent will show your home in its best light, demonstrating the major features of the property and highlighting the benefits of the home. They will then negotiate through to a purchase price depending on the method of sale. 

They will also liaise with solicitors, conveyancers, trades and building inspectors throughout the exchange and settlement process to remove the stress of these tasks from your to-do list.

To find out more about what our sales team can do to help make it easier to sell your home, contact our office for more information.

In an online world, prospective buyers will look to the property portals and websites in the search for their new home. A professional video walk-through of your property can be one of the most impactful first impressions that a buyer may have before they attend the inspection.

There are great benefits to using video in the promotion of your property for sale including getting the listing in front of more buyers and the chance to sell the property faster.

Reach more buyers faster

A professional video inspection can be launched online on the property portals and the agency website as soon as the property is listed. There isn’t a need to wait for an in-person inspection and potential purchasers can view the property online instantly. 

Reach out-of-area buyers 

One benefit of online videos is the reach that it provides to out-of-area buyers in a way that still images can’t. A virtual walk-through allows prospective purchasers to view the home if they cannot make the inspections in person and can increase buyer competition for the home.

Social media promotion

Using video when promoting the property on social media platforms in addition to the property and agent portals can increase buyer reach especially as social media changes move more to video to appeal to consumers.

Communicate the features and benefits of the property

Video inspections can explain the key features and benefits of the home and your agent can communicate commonly asked questions through this type of marketing which can assist in pre-qualifying buyers. They can also highlight lifestyle features and the location and community benefits of the location.

Increase property interest and potential value

A well-presented video is an engaging way of attracting buyers, especially when there are multiple listings in your market, and your property needs to stand out from the crowd. It will also ensure that there are more qualified buyers who attend the inspections.

Professional video walk-throughs of the property can capture the attention of prospective buyers both locally, interstate and overseas and are an excellent way to show the property at its best and increase the interest and value of the property.

If you would like to know more about how professionally presented video inspections can help in the sale of your home, speak with our sales team during your market appraisal about this worthwhile investment.

When looking to sell there is often a focus on the interior of the property and any inclusions, layout and features that will appeal to potential buyers. You may concentrate on any repairs or improvements in these areas, however, it is also important to focus on the first impression of the home that a potential buyer has, the exterior.

Tidy up a tired facade

The type of exterior of your home will have different requirements for its maintenance. Pressure washing facades to remove the build-up of dirt, dust and cobwebs can be an affordable way of freshening the outside of the property. 

Cleaning windows, glass sliding doors and exteriors while pressure washing paths and driveways for oil stains and marks can also make the property shine.

Check those gutters and down pipes for the build-up of leaves and debris and clean to ensure that there are no blockages, hazards, or chances for water to flow back into the roof. 

Paint and decorate

For painted exteriors including walls, eaves, gutters, and window frames, take a view from the street and assess if a coat of paint or varnish will increase the street appeal. Tired and peeling paint won’t create the best first impression for potential purchasers and this is one area that could help with increasing your sale price.

Look at other decorator items such as light fittings, window coverings and outdoor furnishings. These items, while they may seem like little details, can help increase the street appeal.

Gardening and landscaping

Ensure that lawns and gardens are well maintained and are likely to attract buyers. Is it a property that needs low-maintenance yards and gardens, or do you need to get a professional in to help trim hedges, tidy lawns, and plant new shrubs, flowers, or other plants. 

You may also choose to employ a gardener throughout the sale to keep on top of the lawns and gardens as these are areas that can get away quickly, especially in times of rain and warmer weather.

Pools and surrounds

Before showing potential buyers through the property, ensure that any pools are compliant and in good repair. A green pool isn’t appealing to any buyer, and it is beneficial to engage in pool maintenance throughout the campaign. 

A maintenance company will also alert you to any problems or areas of non-compliance and can work with you on the necessary repairs.

If you aren’t sure of which areas to look at or focus on to maximise your sale price, talk to our experienced sales agents who can provide advice and recommend trades that can prepare the property exterior prior to sale.

A contract for sale is a requirement for property sales and the process will change depending on the state that you are selling your property in. As a vendor or seller, it is part of your responsibility to have the contract prepared prior to listing your home for sale.

A contract for sale is designed to protect both parties in the sale and will be prepared by a solicitor or conveyancer. It will outline the terms and conditions of the property sale as well as inclusions that will sell with the property.

What are the standard inclusions?

The standard inclusions in a contract for sale will be details like the names of the vendor and purchaser, the property address, the sale price, and the deposit required and terms around the deposit.

It will include anything that is excluded from the sale and inclusions like fixtures, chattels, and fittings. If there are improvements that will occur prior to settlement, these will be noted plus the certificate of title information and date of settlement.

A contract for sale might also have clauses that detail exchange and settlement are subject to factors like the results of pest and building inspections, finance, and additional time for settlement if the purchaser is looking to sell their current home or you need time to find a new property.

As a seller you will also need to disclose any material fact that might impact the sale, our sales agents will discuss this with you when signing your agency agreement. Your solicitor or conveyancer will discuss adding zoning and property certificates, any easements and covenants, and potential plans for the property.

Do you need special conditions? 

Special conditions may need to be added to the contract if there are works that need to be actioned prior to settlement and detail the levels of responsibility. 

You may also add in special conditions around pet requirements, especially in a strata complex and access to the property prior to settlement. If a purchaser would like to renovate part or all of the property, you may negotiate an earlier access.

Your solicitor or conveyancer will guide you through preparing a contract for sale including any penalties or financial implications that may result from failure to meet any of the conditions that are stipulated in the agreement and resolve any disputes that may arise.

Talk with your solicitor or conveyancer for the best advice before you go into selling your property and listing it for sale to ensure that you are protected and remove stress from the sale.

In markets where there is a lot of competition with many listings or even in those when the listing pool is scarce, a great marketing campaign with the right elements can be key in finding you the fastest possible buyer at the best price.

Agents may talk with you about the prospect of advertising the property off-market first prior to going to an on-market listing, where they may advertise to a select database in the beginning. Ensure that your agent is guiding you with a winning strategy around the listing so that you aim to get higher numbers of interested parties through the door. 

Engage the right agent

A good sales agent will discuss a marketing strategy example with you at the listing presentation and should be able to provide examples of similar properties that they have sold in your area that are comparable. 

Look at these examples after the listing presentation and consider your meeting with the agent and the marketing to assess whether their vision and values align with yours. You will be spending some time talking with the sales agent during the campaign and it is important that you agree on the direction of the sale.

Consider professional styling

Our sales agents will talk with you about the options for professional styling of the property prior to listing it for sale and during the sales campaign. If professional styling is not possible, they can also discuss options and affordable packages for virtual furniture, especially for professional photography.

Professional and virtual styling can help in achieving the best result and price for your home as everyday clutter is cleared and potential buyers can see as much as possible of the property and view themselves in the space.

Professional photography and video

During your listing appointment, our sales agents will discuss packages for professional photography and video. The value that professional photos and video can bring in a rapidly moving market can be the difference in the final sale price of your home. 

Professional photography helps to showcase the home and its features in the best light, and it is the first impression that a buyer will get of the property which is why it is important to get it right. 

Video walk-throughs can show the outlay of the home and give those who are interstate or international more access to view the property and make a more informed decision when it comes to the sale.

Explain the features in words

Advertising your home needs to tell a story. The benefits of the home, its history, its uniqueness, and its features will appeal to buyers and make them want to come through the inspection and make an offer. 

Our sales agents will work through the copy with you as part of the marketing strategy to ensure that the characteristics of your home are showcased including how it feels to walk through the property and the benefits of your neighbourhood including amenities and local finds.

Contact our team and we can make an appointment to provide an appraisal on your home and talk about the best marketing strategy for you.