RealCorp Vic "Properties + Businesses"

The time spent preparing your property for sale can mean the difference between getting an average price and achieving a great price - and the best part is, it is not difficult, time consuming or expensive! The process of properly presenting your home for sale is an important one to master. For most, the sale of a property comes around every 5 to 7 years. For others, it has become a much more regular event, choosing to capitalize on the opportunity to upgrade the family home and make substantial tax free gains in the process. Whatever your motive for selling, the process can be either stress free and lucrative - or tense and disappointing. The good news is that you have the ability to choose.....

Timing

Buyers for good quality property can be found all year round. With the marketing process having become more sophisticated than in previous years, the issue of timing is less critical that in the past. However, there are some important points you may wish to consider..... Our research shows that in our core area of the southern/eastern suburbs of Melbourne, superior results are generally achieved during February to May, and September to November. The wetter mid-year months of June to August and the busy holiday period of mid-December to mid-January often produce a lower number of inspections than at other times. Additionally, major sporting events such as the AFL Grand Final will often have a negative effect on property inspection results.

During hotter months, afternoon openings should be avoided for homes with a lot of West facing glass. All Home Open inspections should be planned around the best time for an individual home taking into account natural light, road noise and similar other environmental factors. The time required to sell a property that is accurately priced will typically vary between 2 and 8 weeks. Prior to placing your property on the market, allow an additional week or two to prepare both the property and the marketing material.

Presentation

Appealing property presentation is a critical factor in achieving the highest possible price. It is similar to detailing your car before you sell it. The emotional appeal required to stir the spirit of buyers is unlikely to be generated by a poorly presented property - a neglected building sends out "warning signals" to prospective buyers. SO....it is VITAL to have your property looking its very best on inspection day! Some major "turnoffs" for buyers include:

Animal odours in the house.
Evidence of damp or moisture in the walls.
Cigarette or strong food odours
Doors, windows and gates that stick.
Too much "clutter" - furniture or possessions that dominate a room.
Stained carpets.
Leaking taps, plumbing and gutters.
Street appeal - is critical to creating a great first impression for potential buyers visiting the home. Lawns should be neatly mowed and edged and trees & bushes trimmed. Garden beds should be weeded and a trailer-load of rich, dark mulch can add immeasurably to the lush appearance of gardens.

Method of Sale

When it comes to selling your property, the three most popular methods of sale in Victoria are:

Sale by Private Treaty ("For Sale")
Price Range Selling
Public Auction

Each has its own advantages and it is advisable to speak with your Agent about the benefits of each method. Our company has successfully utilized all these methods, with Sale by Private Treaty and Price range selling proving to be the most effective forms of selling most types of properties in our core business area. We utilize sale by Public Auction more specifically for very unique properties and homes for which there is likely to be a higher than usual level of competition between prospective purchasers, allowing competitive bidding to increase the final sale price. Each has its own advantages and, again, it is advisable to speak with your agent about the benefits of each method.

Choosing your Real Estate Agent

The most important element in achieving the highest possible sale price for your property, will often be the choice of Agent that you select to represent you. An experienced and skilled negotiator can make the difference of many thousands of dollars in the eventual sale of your home. When selecting your Agent, take the following points into consideration to ensure that you are getting the best value for your money:

Profile and history of Agent.
Experience and skill of sales team
Length of operation of the agency
Reputation of the agency
Effectiveness of property advertising
Knowledge of real estate market
Location and profile of agency
Database of potential purchasers
Specialised skills in particular fields (eg: Strata Titles, brand new developments)
Punctuality and presentation
Reliability, honesty and integrity
Access to accurate information and sales data
Recent sales
How do you get along with them?
Empathy, and a caring attitude to your needs
Skilled support staff to back up the sales team
Willingness to provide frank, honest and regular feedback

Sale Preparation Check List

Get the property detailed thoroughly.
A small investment in sprucing up the property will increase the saleability and more than likely increase the eventual sale price.
Seek independent advice to improve the appeal of your property - a third party opinion will often provide beneficial input.
Remove and store personal items and clutter and consider holding a "Garage Sale" before marketing begins. This way, the proceeds of the sale can offset the cost of pre-sale improvements.
If the property is currently tenanted, check the expiry date and termination requirements of the lease, and provide a copy of the lease to your agent.
Make a note of all the inclusions - that is, everything that will be included in the purchase price and remaining at the property after settlement. Standard items include - light fittings; floor coverings; curtains and blinds; TV antenna. If there is a dishwasher, ensure that your agent is advised as to whether or not it is included in the sale.
Items such as "family heirloom" light fittings should be removed and replaced with another suitable fitting prior to marketing.
Ensure pet food and water bowls are put away prior to inspection.

Testimonial from Stan K, "Thank you for an outstanding, quick result regarding the selling of our home last weekend. Over the past twenty years or so we have bought and sold many properties, and I must say that of all the real estate representatives we have experienced you are one of the exceptional ones. A true professional in every sense of the word and a credit to your industry."