Savvy selling
Category Property market overview
Selling your property can be as complex, stressful and emotional as purchasing a property, which is why it’s useful to get professional advice. You want to ensure that your property fetches the best price, doesn’t sit on the market too long and ultimately doesn’t haunt you with hassles.
The right price
It’s important to find the happy medium when deciding on a selling price because a property that’s either overpriced or underpriced is likely to not move on the market.
“The value of a property is determined by what the market is willing to pay, regardless of alterations or improvements made to the house by the seller”, explains Bruce Swain of Leapfrog Property Group.
Buyers these days are very informed thanks to information about property prices being readily available on portals like Private Property and Property24. In establishing your asking price familarise yourself with what similar properties in the area are going for and contact a qualified estate agents to assist with this – they’ll do a professional assessment of the property and the area to determine the most favourable price.
First impressions matter
When a potential buyer walks through the door to view the property they need to be able to imagine the space as their own. And there are a number of things the seller can do to encourage this.
Things are simple as ensuring that the home is neat and clean is essential. “Sellers might not realise this, but it’s also a good idea to de-personalise a home for show days; buyers need to be able to imagine themselves living in the home and family photos and memorabilia can make that more difficult so put the pics and the drawings away for a day”, advises Swain. A reputable estate agent will be able to help and advise you on how to “dress” your home for the occasion.
Work with the best
The property market is a complex business with various legalities and processes that must be adhered to. The easiest way to navigate this when selling your property is to work with a professional – it will save you time, money and stress. “The best way to know whether you’ve got the right agent is to find out whether they know the area – are they on top of the latest property trends, asking prices and the like”, Swain recommends. Ensure the agent you’re using is registered with the Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB) and has a current Fidelity Fund Certificate.
A well-priced (market related!), neatly presented property that’s marketed by a professional estate agent is sure to sell in a timely fashion at a favourable price, which ensures a happy seller and buyer.
Author: Leapfrog Property Group
