Selling Tips

The preparation you put into getting your property ready for sale can be the difference between getting a standard price and getting a great price. Taking into consideration timing, presentation, method of sale and sale preparation can make all the difference – and the best part is, its not hard, time consuming or expensive:

Timing

Buyers for good quality property can be found all year round, however studies tell us its best to avoid the Christmas period between 20 December and 10 January. The time required to sell property that is accurately priced will typically vary between two and six weeks. Prior to placing your property on the market, allow an additional two weeks to prepare both the property and the marketing material.

Presentation

Presentation of your property is a critical factor in achieving the highest possible price. This is similar to detailing a car before you sell it. The emotional appeal required to stir the spirit of the buyers is unlikely to be generated by a poorly presented property. Some of the turn offs for buyers include:

• Animal odours in the house
• Evidence of damp or moisture in the walls 
• Cigarette or strong food odours 
• Doors, windows or gates that stick 
• Cracked glass & Stained carpet
• Too much furniture or personal belongings cluttering the space
  

To improve the presentation seek an outside opinion, many of these problems can be fixed over a weekend for little expense. We believe the process is so important that we offer our clients the services of our in-house Property Stylist to help in preparing the property. For vacant properties, we would also recommend the use of decorator furniture for the period of the sale.

Method of Sale

When it comes to selling your property, there are two popular methods to choose from:

• Private Treaty (Sale)
• Public Auction
  

Our company has successfully utilised both methods, however we have found sale by Public Auction to be the most effective. Auction is effective in the event of there being difficulty in clearly determining the value of a property whereby a value range may be more practical.

Also, where a property is likely to attract more than one qualified buyer in the marketplace, auction allows competitive bidding to increase the final sale price.

Sale Preparation Checklist

1. Get the property detailed thoroughly - a small amount spent sprucing up the property will increase the saleability and more than likely increase the sale price greatly.
2. Obtain a building and pest inspection report. - This allows you to have necessary repair work done prior to sale. A 100% clear report can be used as a selling feature for buyers. 
3. The Contract for Sale should be prepared by your solicitor or conveyancer. In NSW the law requires that a contract be available for inspection prior to the property being offered for sale. 
4. It is advisable to have a survey of the land and buildings available if required when selling a property. 
5. If there is a current lease, check the expiry date and termination requirements and advise your solicitor. 
6. Make a note of all the inclusions. That is, everything that will be included in the purchase price and remaining at the property after completion. Standard items include light fittings, floor coverings, curtains and blinds. These can also be excluded if you prefer but it should be noted in the contract for sale.