Selling Tips
The preparation you put into getting your property ready for sale can be the difference between getting a standard price and a great price. The best part is, it's not hard, time consuming or expensive.
Whatever your motive for selling, the process can either be stress free or tense and disappointing. The good news is that you have the ability to choose.
There are four factors that will influence the outcome of any sale.
- A customised marketing plan;
- Skilful negotiation;
- Continuous follow-up;
- Access to the exclusive resources of the First National Network
Twenty Questions
The answers to these questions will help you sell your property for the highest possible price in the shortest possible time.
- What do I do if a purchaser calls on me without the agent?
- Are open homes a good idea?
- Is background music beneficial?
- How can I tell if the agency really does have genuine purchasers already listed on their books?
- Do buyers look inside cupboards, built-ins and wardrobes?
- How important is the agent’s skill at negotiating when it comes to achieving the highest possible price?
- Should we be in attendance during inspections?
- How much money should we spend on advertising our home to its highest potential?
- Do any of the rooms or previously painted surfaces require re-painting?
- Should we give any special attention to the kitchen or bathroom?
- How can we tell if an agency is trustworthy and honest?
- Would it be worthwhile having the gardens professionally “worked”?
- Are indoor plants and/or fresh flowers a good idea?
- Where should our home be advertised for sale?
- Do many purchasers look at the internet?
- How important is a signboard?
- How much will we receive after all agents and conveyance’s costs are paid?
- Should we ask for a “bit more” than we really think the property is worth?
- What’s the market like? Is now a good time to sell?
- How long does it normally take to sell?
Timing
Buyers for a property can be found all year round however it's not often that a purchaser for your home is out there, just waiting for you to put your home on the market.
Timing, presentation and advertising are all required to bring buyers and sellers together for the best result.
Spring is often considered to be the best time to sell. It's a time of optimism and with the weather clearing, more potential buyers will be out and about. It is also a time when more sellers will put their homes on the market so there will be more competition.
Winter usually presents fewer buyers, but the buyers are usually more focussed on purchasing and traditionally there will be fewer homes on the market to choose from.
Prior to placing your home on the market, allow an additional two weeks to prepare both the property and the marketing material.
Presentation
A tidy home says "Welcome".
Your home should be kept neat and tidy during the period of inspections. It should not necessarily be a "show place" but appear a comfortable home in which to live. Fresh flowers or indoor plants always brighten up a home.
While you’re cleaning, think about each room and what furniture really needs to be in it. Rooms look smaller when they are crowded. Clear out anything that's not needed to create a feeling of spaciousness. Make sure that all minor repairs are completed. Sticking doors and windows, loose door knobs, faulty plumbing, peeling paint or faulty flywire may affect your sale.
Let plenty of light into your home. Nothing improves atmosphere more than brightness. And on a dull day switch on some lights prior to arrival of prospective purchasers. A warm comfortable heated home on cold days adds a feeling of cosiness; on a hot day don't forget to turn on the air conditioner or fan (or simply let the breeze flow through).
Avoid having too many people present during inspections. Be courteous but don't force conversation with a potential buyer. The prospective purchaser wants to inspect your home - not pay a social call.
As a general rule it is advisable to turn off radio and television sets during inspections as they can be very distracting. Keep your pets out of the way (preferably out of the house).
Let the buyer and agent talk, free of disturbances. Don't apologise for the appearance or condition of your home (this does nothing but emphasise the faults). Don't discuss the details of the transaction or allow a prospective purchaser to inspect your home without your agent.
Method of Sale
If you submit your property for Auction this means that prospective purchasers will bid against one another at a date and time suitable to you.
You can set a reserve price, which is the minimum you will accept, and once bidding has passed that level you know you have a sale, as it will be unconditional and a predetermined deposit must be paid on the day.
Sale by Private Treaty means that you set a price at which your property is to be marketed to the public through the marketing plan agreed to by you and the agent.
The 8 things vendors want from their selling agent
- Feedback. Selling the family home can be stressful, particularly when awaiting the outcome of key activities. Here at J.A. Cain First National we guarantee to contact you in person or on the telephone to provide feedback after every advertisement, open home and inspection.
- Recommendations. From the day we are appointed as your selling agent we will act in your best interests and make constructive recommendations on how to achieve the highest possible price for your property.
- Marketing. Cost effective marketing is the key to exposing your property as to many prospective purchasers as possible. We conduct ongoing local research to ensure our marketing targets those who are ready to buy without delay.
- Pricing. Asking too little or too much for any product can be a disaster. Here at J.A. Cain First National we have the accurate market knowledge to help you price your home and achieve the results you demand.
- Negotiation. We are proud of the fact that so many of our past clients have referred to our skills at negotiating the best outcome for them. When negotiating we are always fair to both parties but at all times act to ensure the best results for you, our client.
- Purchasers. We maintain and correspond with a databse of genuine purchasers looking to buy a residential property in the eastern suburbs of
- Effortless Open Homes. When our clients choose to open their homes for inspection, we have the policies and guidelines which minimize disturbance to your daily routine and achieve optimum results.
- Availability. Yes, we use SMS and email but some inexperienced agents “hide behind” modern communication and don’t really keep in touch. Personal contact, being available in person or over the telephone, is essential to our successful relationship with you.
