BOOKLET 2
PREPARING YOUR PROPERTY FOR SALE
Remove unnecessary clutter and watch your house expand in size
So it’s time to sell Preparing your home for sale can be hard work and with so much to do, often things get missed, which buyers may notice when viewing your home. The way in which a home is presented can, and often does affect a buyer’s opinion, and this could very well determine the speed and the price at which you sell your home. This booklet aims to help you cover all possible aspects which can help you make your home more attractive to buyers.
First impressions are so important First Impressions
Other people’s mess always looks worse than your own. From the moment potential buyers arrive, they are making an internal commentary on everything they see. Gardens and lawns should be well presented, rubbish should be disposed of, paths kept clean, toys and garden tools stored away.
The Scent of Success
Smokers and pet owners beware, stale odours can make buyers want to leave fast. Room deodorisers, a bowl of potpourri and open windows will all help. Any home will be enhanced by the smell of a cake baking, or freshly brewed coffee. Often the effect is subliminal. Days later purchasers don’t always know exactly why they got such good vibes from your home.
Create an illusion of Space
Remove unnecessary clutter and watch your house expand in size. Neat, well ordered cupboards, wardrobes and pantries show that space is ample.
Don’t Spend Big Money
If you spend a lot of money painting, carpeting or adding a patio, you will want to add this to the price. Buyers may not share your taste, even though what they are getting is almost new. Check with your agent first.
Little Things Count
On the other hand, make sure all minor repairs are completed. Sticking doors and windows, loose doorknobs, faulty plumbing or peeling paint may affect your sale.
Highlight Your Home
Nothing improves the atmosphere of a home more than brightness. Open all the curtains and switch on strategic lights to brighten up gloomy spots prior to the arrival of prospective purchasers.
Neither Hot Nor Cold
A warm, comfortable heated home on cold days adds a feeling of cosiness and welcome. On a hot day, turn on airconditioning or ensure your home is well ventilated.
Take a Back Seat
Avoid being present during inspections as much as practicable. Your property consultant knows the buyers requirements and can better emphasise the features of your home to prospective purchasers. Never apologise for the condition or appearance of your home. This only emphasises the faults. Don’t discuss details of the transaction such as price or terms. Leave this to your property consultant – remember his/her experience and training enables him/her to qualify purchasers and negotiate the best price. Furthermore, negotiations are more easily kept on a business-like level when emotions are not involved.
Price
It is often a mistake to list your home with the agent who suggests a sale price that is higher than other agents’ opinions. While it is true that you can always “come down”, there are many factors to consider. Firstly, the market is always looking for new listings. This means that the first few weeks your home is on the market will bring more inspections than any other time. 2
All the buyers in the price range will rush to see your home. Those that have been looking for some time are the ones who have done their homework and are ready to buy. But they will also be the most aware of the market value of your property. If your home is competitively priced it will make buyers feel they need to snap it up before someone else does. If the price is too high, they feel no such sense of urgency. Just as vendors take the attitude “we can always come down”, buyers think they will wait until the price drops. It is often the case that a property that would have achieved a higher price when first placed on the market, three or more months later starts becoming “stale”. The longer your property stays on the market, the more buyers feel they have negotiating power.
To do checklist We have put together a checklist on preparing your property for sale. This list is just another way in which we aim to make our clients lives a little easier. These are only suggestions, and if you are concerned about what you should be doing, or the cost versus the return, then just give us a call and we can go over it together. Some of the work can easily be handled by the average handy person, but if you do not wish to tackle the bigger tasks then you may know someone who can do them for you, or you could check out our “Home Services List”. When organising a tradesperson, always get a minimum of two quotes and ask what it will entail, when can they start and the time they are expecting it to take. In some cases, where larger areas need to be repainted or recarpeted, it may be better to let the new owners carry these out, so they can tie it into their colour scheme and renovation plans. We suggest you start with the outside first as first impressions are so important, but remember these are suggestions only.
Looking good outside The outside of your home is what makes it’s first impression on the prospective buyer and, therefore, the buyers perception of your home can be made before the buyer has even walked through the gateway. Take a walk past your home from the opposite side of the street. Stop and take a critical look at the kind of view that a buyer would have as a first impression.
Inside “fresh is best” Buyers are impressed if every room and every area of a property is clean and tidy. Further, they tend to think that if everything is clean and well cared for where they can see, it will be the same where they can’t see. It may be a lot of work but will increase the selling value of your home and save you a lot of cleaning time on moving day. A well-aired home will smell even better with a little assistance from a few judiciously placed bowls of potpourri. With the often humid and damp conditions found in Sydney, moisture may and can be both off putting and of a concern to prospective buyers. The use of a dehumidifier can assist in eliminating this common Sydney problem. Redecoration - Even a small amount can make an enormous difference. It may just be a coat of paint to the front door or window sashes. Ask your sales agent first. 3
If your home is competitively priced it will make buyers feel they need to snap it up before someone else does.
Outside checklist Driveways - remove weeds and clean oil patches.
Paths - repair damaged areas. Clear all obstructions and clean/water-blast. Lawn - cut, edged and weeded.
Garden - weeded and mulched. Add some new plants to give the garden some new life and colour if needed. Roof - remove any moss or flaking paint. Check for leaks. Replace or fix gutters and down pipes if damaged or missing. Paint if required. Shrubs and trees - trimmed and tidy.
Fences - stained or painted and in good condition.
Gates - repair if damaged. Use some WD40 (lubricant / silicone spray) or replace hinges if the gates are stiff or squeaky. Paint if needed. Cladding - repair/replace rotted or damaged areas. Clean or have the home water-blasted. Paint where necessary. Windows - replace broken panes. Clean, Repair/ replace/paint damaged frames. Mailbox - repair/replace damaged areas. Check if numbers are clear and readable. Doors - replace broken/cracked glass. Repaint if needed. A freshly painted front door is very welcoming and gains a good impression. Outside lighting - check bulbs, replace as required. Check wiring is working properly. Decks - replace/repair damaged areas and railings. Clean away moss and mould. Water-blast if needed. Remove all unnecessary items and arrange furniture to make it look attractive.
Inside checklist Plumbing - replace/repair damaged or leaking taps. Repair leaky or faulty toilet cistern.
Electrical / Light Fittings - repair/replace damaged switches, power points, light and bulbs. Clean shades.
Floors - repair/replace damaged vinyl/tiles. Buff wooden floors if needed.
Stairs - repair/replace damaged or worn areas.
Wardrobes/cupboards - repair/replace/paint doors where needed. Tidy and remove unnecessary items.
Ceilings - repair cracks, paint if needed.
Wallpaper/paint - repair/replace damaged or worn areas. Repaint where required.
Hallways - check lighting is adequate, remove all obstructions.
Window - repair/replace broken or faulty sashes. Clean all windows thoroughly. On a clear day you can see forever, but only if the windows and sills are fresh and clean and this will also enhance that view. Curtains, Shades and Blinds - repair/replace faulty hardware and clean.
Attached Heaters/Fireplaces - check if in working order. Clean out the ashes.
Appliances - (included in sale) check stove, hot water service, dishwasher etc are in good working order and clean. The Garage - time for a trip to the rubbish dump? A garage sale? Make sure that there’s a place for everything and everything is in it’s place. Even the garage should look a part of the home that you love. Check doors and remote controls are working properly. Paint the door if required. Sub Floor Areas - remove unwanted debris as it could attract white ants and impede the pest inspection. Clean. Attic - check lighting is working, remove all obstructions and unnecessary items.
Floor Coverings - this could be a great time to consider the cleaning of carpets – not only do they look so much better, they also add to that feeling and smell of freshness. If carpet is damaged or has a major stain, then it may be necessary to replace it.
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MENAI SYLVANIA CRONULLA
McGRATH SUTHERLAND SHIRE
ENGADINE
ROYAL NATIONAL PARK HEATHCOTE NATIONAL PARK
TASMAN SEA
FOUR OFFICES, ONE TEAM, WORKING TOGETHER Cronulla
2 Wilbar Avenue CRONULLA NSW 2230
Menai/Illawong
Shop 16, Illawong Shopping Village Fowler Road ILLAWONG NSW 2234
mcgrath.com.au
Sylvania
12 Murrumbidgee Avenue SYLVANIA WATERS NSW 2224
Engadine
1005 Old Princes Highway ENGADINE NSW 2233