As spring settles in, home owners’ thoughts start to turn to selling in the hope of capitalising on the atmosphere of optimism that comes with the new season – but they may be a little bit over-optimistic given current market conditions says JM Chase First National Real Estate Managing Director, Jee Chin.
“Spring is traditionally considered the peak season for the property market, but the current market dynamics and sheer volume of homes for sale will make maximising your sale price more challenging this year,” Mr Chin said.
“But there are things home owners can do to prepare their homes for sale and ensure they have the best chance of successfully marketing their property.”
According to Mr Chin, the top tip to maximise the property’s value is to choose a good agent.
“An agent that can be trusted and has strong local knowledge and experience is essential when selling a property and can mean a difference of thousands of dollars to the resulting sale price,” Mr Chin said.
“Discuss with potential agents their proposed strategies for marketing and look for ones that consider the full range of tools available including local newspapers, popular real estate websites, social media such as facebook and twitter as well as other eMarketing tools like SMS/MMS.
“And see how open they are to seeking your input for developing enticing signboards and quality brochures.”
Another key tip Managing Director Jee Chin said is to research what your property will be competing with and be realistic.
“It will be critical this spring to set a reasonable asking price because buyers are certainly out there but they are ultra price-sensitive right now. Agents know what properties are selling for in your area and are experienced at gauging which way the market is turning. They can help you determine the ideal target range,” Mr Chin said.
On a more practical level, Mr Chin advises looking at the property, with objective eyes and seeing what can easily and readily be done to improve its prospects.
“A simple lick of paint, spring clean, tidy up around the place will go a long way to making a good impression,” he said.
“Mow the lawns, trim the hedges and dig over garden beds, just to start with.
“Look at cleaning the windows, both inside and out, and sweep driveways to help create a neat, tidy, polished appearance.”
Managing Director Jee Chin said there are some little ‘extras’ that can be done beyond the usual interior cleaning.
“Making sure there are fresh flowers inside the home and let in lots of natural light to really brighten up rooms,” he said.
“For those with pets, where possible remove them during inspections and create a nice ambience by playing soft, tuneful background music to create a more homely feel.
“Lastly, make sure you revamp and repair where necessary. Pay most attention to the main living and sleeping areas like the kitchen, family, room, bathroom and bedrooms.”
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