Gearing Up for Spring Selling

Spring is nearly here and now is the time to prepare your house for sale. To maximise the return on your investment – your house – here are some tips on what to do and what not to do:

Pick the right agent
Having the right real estate salesperson selling your house is imperative. For a start, you will trust this person with probably your biggest asset. Don’t do this flippantly. Interview prospective agents and grill them on their past performances, knowledge of the market and your area, their selling strategies and methods. A good agent and agency will make all the difference.

Set a realistic price
If you go to market with an unrealistic selling price, it will do more harm than good. Study the market and do your research so you are aware of what properties are selling for in the current climate. Forget what you may read in newspapers and hear from neighbours – buyers set the market price and the best way to determine a realistic selling price is to research similar properties in your area that have recently sold. Your real estate salesperson can give you a report on recent properties sold. If you don’t know the houses, quiz them on how your house compares to those that have sold.

Fix your minor repairs
There is nothing worse for buyers than to see leaking taps, broken locks or wonky cupboard doors. These minor issues can send warning bells to buyers that there may be bigger issues that can’t be seen. Don’t give the buyer any reason for concern – fix your minor repairs.

Street appeal
Many people will do a ‘drive-by’ before inspecting your home. You have to make them want to attend your open for inspection or call your agent. Tart up the front of your house by adding fresh pot plants, trimming back winter growth and possibly repainting the door and steps if they are looking shabby. Stand on the road and give your home an honest appraisal – do you want to live here? Is this the most appealing house in the street? If you answer ‘no’ to these questions, then change your home’s appearance!