but there is someone who is perfect for your property Instead of trying to be all things to all people, which we know, in reality, doesn’t work... focus on the key target market for your type of property and prepare the property to be presented to that market, and presented well. Every home has unique qualities that can make the property a winner... find yours and highlight them well.
3.
EVEN THE LETTERBOX
MATTERS
HIDE THE
FURRY FRIENDS
When you live with your beloved pets, you become accustomed to their scent, BUT to buyers, houses that are homes to animals can be a real turn off! Visitors notice funny smells much more than people who live there. It pays to keep your home free of smell creating items such as litter boxes, dog beds, pet bowls, etc so when the buyers are inspecting your property, they are not distracted by odours which could have a negative impact. If the furry critters can be looked after by a family member or friend during open homes, even better.
It is true – something as small as the letterbox can give buyers a bad impression. Your letterbox is your first impression. If it is tired and rundown people may easily think that other parts of the house will be too. If a buyer senses underlying issues that spells danger. Be prepared for every nook and cranny to be scrutinised when buyers are assessing your property. Make a good impression with every corner of the house and don’t omit things which you think don’t matter. They probably do!
4.
almost
there is nothing more important than YOUR photography
A picture tells a thousand words, so you had better make sure those words are telling the right story. DIY snapshots will not cut it if you are wanting the very best sale price.
A professional photographer who specialises in photography of houses (as opposed to portraiture, fashion or product photography) will have an eye for getting the best shots. A good photographer knows the tricks to getting a house to look its best. They will ensure the right angles capture the best view. They will ensure the contents in the frame are positioned as best they can be. Yes - they do cost a little bit of money but it is money very well spent. It is a small investment to achieve the maximum sale price. OH, and we say ALMOST NOTHING because there are 5 things even more important than this one, which we will save till last...
When you’ve lived in a property for a while, you can become so used to seeing it that you become “house blinded”. This is when the things which would have stood out to you in the start, no longer present themselves. This can be things like furniture placement - perhaps your furniture has been in the same place for so long you can’t see it any other way, or clutter... you are so used to being surrounded by your belongings... how much is too much. Get a pair of fresh eyes - a professional property presenter or an honest friend - and walk through the house as you would a buyer. Is there any way it would be better presented?
5.
FRESH
EYES SEE MORE
6.
you can’t
mask a bad smell
Attempting to cover up bad odours with sprays and perfumed scents usually ends up making the smell worse. Instead, get the problem area professionally treated or use a FRESH scent elsewhere in the house to distract buyers from the bad smell area. The tried and trusted methods which put a smile on the dial as soon as you enter the house are... FRESHLY BAKED BREAD AND FRESHLY PERCOLATED COFFEE. You can even leave a couple of hot cups of coffee on the table with a book, so it looks as if you just popped out to create that casual (yet cool) lived in feel.
7
7.
STAGED
HOUSES SELL
QUICKER
You don’t have to go the whole hog and hire a house full of premium home staging furniture (well, you can if you want!) but it is important to present your property in a manner which will appeal to the buyers and highlight your property’s best features. If you have a top location and a deck to enjoy it from, show off the dream by dressing it so that buyers can imagine themselves coming home here to enjoy it.
8.
deClutter deClutter deClutter Buyers need to see a well dressed house without too many personal possessions cluttering up the space. This is so they can imagine themselves living there, with their own belongings. The best way to declutter a house is to start packing. Store away the items you can happily do without for the next 3 months. This will also eliminate the risk of it appearing that there is a lack of storage. Be ruthless and store as much as you can. Keep surfaces clear. Think of it as stage one of your move. It will get you ready to go once you’ve sold and it will also get you in the mind-set that you are in fact selling. (A positive mind-set to be in for the marketing period) If you feel a little stuck in knowing what is clutter and what is not, remember LESS IS MORE and see if this tip might help you:
The more personal it is to you, the more likely it is that you should store it away.
9.
HOME S W E E T
ASSET
The minute you list your property on the market for sale, is the moment you need to stop thinking of it as your home and start thinking of it as your investment. Disconnect your emotional attachment. Buyers are not buying your history – they are looking for their future. Disconnect the emotion so you can present your property for sale to its best potential - to suit your buyers.
10.
DO NoT OVERCAPITALISE
Just remember this:
You DO NOT want to be paying for someone else’s enjoyment. While it is good to invest in preparing the property for sale, you don’t want to be spending money on anything which is not going to increase your return. If what you want to do to the property will add MORE VALUE than it costs, or enables you to sell the property faster, go for it. Always keep the investment you have in the property below it’s market value.
11.
be wise & CLEAN
with an eagle
EYE
Presenting a clean property is one of the easiest and cheapest tools you have in selling your home - and clean it till it is spick and span! That means cleaning behind curtains and checking for mould. Clean the roof and the gutters- grass growing out of the roof is not a good look. Do the biggest spring clean ever. If you don’t want to do it yourself, hire professional cleaners and ensure they get into the corners, right down to the inside of the oven, the cupboard shelves and the fly poop off the ceilings. Once again, this is a small investmet for a larger return.
Make it shine!
12.
RELAX REVIVE
Selling a house is often a stressful time and usually a time of immense change in people’s lives. Remember to take time out to de-stress and recharge the batteries. It will help you to make decisions with a clear head and keep your eye on the prize.
ACCESS IS ESSENTIAL Make it easy for your potential buyers to access your home. Ensure the path to the main entrance is obvious and clear, so visitors have a good first experience with the property. Make sure there are no objects blocking the front door - no toys in the parking areas or other things which might make entering the property tricky. Keep it in a state where you can have it to viewing standard within 20 minutes. If the opportunity comes to have a buyer through, you can quickly tidy up, prepare the house, then when the agent arrives pop out to do the shopping or go for a walk to relax, while your home is welcoming its prospect. This takes organisation and dedication, but the more available your house is, the more access you will have to buyers. Decluttering will help immensely as will quick tidy storage solutions like vintage suitcases, cane baskets and shelve boxes. If your property is tenanted, get the tenant on your side so they make viewing easy. If they aren’t going to work with you or are making a fuss, it is often better to market the property vacant yet staged with nice furniture for the best result in the shortest possible time.
14.
Your best valuers are the pool of active buyers hunting the market. They will do extensive research in their search for a new home and will compare your property to others in your area. They will be quick to spot areas where your property falls short compared to others, which will impact on sale time and price achieved.
15.
LTO iYOURs TAGENT EN
So, be realistic about pricing early on in the picture. Be knowledgable - do your research and know your market too. Make your home look like a great buy from the offset, so you get the most possible buyers viewing at once. The first few weeks of your marketing campaign are most important. You want as many people viewing at the same time to create urgency and a fear of loss, which can mean a fast sale at the very best price.
Choose an agent with a succesful track record of selling homes specifically in your area - then listen to them. Trust them to look out for your best interests and listen to their expert advice.
16.
FOReWARNED IS FOReARMED
Inspect your own property as you would one you were buying. You need to know about any issues BEFORE the buyer finds out. This will ensure you remain in the drivers seat at time of negotiation. Get a LIM report. Get a building inspection. Get a valuation. Get specialist reports if they apply. Then you are informed and have the choice to remedy any issues, or prepare a costed solution to present to your buyer if you need.
You’ll find the last 5 things (AND QUITE POSSIBLY THE MOST IMPORTANT)
on our website!
sandersons.co.nz
IT’S NO BIG SECRET THAT SELLING PROPERTY CAN BE AND OFTEN IS one of the most stressful things you will do in life. Not when you sell with Sandersons by your side.
Sandersons is a Real Estate company with a fresh approach. We offer something vivid and memorable. We recognise that the successful marketing of your property requires a partnership approach that encompasses: - An understanding of your aspirations and requirements. - The maximisation of Sandersons specialist expertise, innovation and capabilities. - Co-ordinating a team approach that will attract the absolute premium for your property. - Keeping you fully informed of progress and buyer feed back during the marketing programme - Effectively managing and qualifying all enquiries, then negotiating a sale at the best possible price. Sandersons are committed to providing outstanding service and exceeding our clients expectations, inviting you back again, and again, and promising to make each visit a complete success.
Your Premium Property Specialists. Sandersons Warmest regards, Shelley Anderson Principal Sandersons Realty Limited MREINZ
“
I love seeing that tell-tale sparkle in their eyes... the one that tells me they just found the home of their dreams... and i’ve found your buyer!
- Shelley Anderson
© Copyright 2014 Sandersons Realty Ltd