Hints for Sellers

Moving home can be a very stressful time, with so many things to organise, even before your home goes on to the market.

Questions regarding how much the owner should do or spend to enhance presentation, how to make the home more saleable, what costs are involved and much more, cause uncertainty and confusion for most people.

It is with this in mind that Towns Shearing Real Estate has produced this information to help those preparing to sell their home.

These handy hints are based on the many years experience of professional Real Estate Agents.

1. Before Your Home Goes On The Market
2. While The Home Is On The Market
3. After The Home Has Sold
4. Other Information

1. Before Your Home Goes On The Market

• Other people's mess always looks worse than your own. From the moment prospects 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.

• Remove unnecessary clutter and watch your house expand in size. Neat, well ordered cupboards, robes and pantry show that space is ample.
• Place the furniture so that traffic can flow easily from room to room.
• Keep bench tops clear, but not empty (as if unused); adorn them with your most attractive canisters.
• A garage sale is a great way of removing excess clutter from the house, garage and storage areas.

• If you spend a lot of money painting, carpeting or adding a patio, you will want to add this to the price. Buyers, on the other hand, may not share your taste, even though what they are getting is almost new.
• Concentrate your efforts in the kitchen and bathroom as purchasers are aware that these are the most expensive rooms to upgrade.
• Squeaky floors dampen the enthusiasm of many a motivated purchaser, yet they are often easily repaired by a qualified tradesperson.
• Loose roofing iron should be secured, and damaged or rusting gutters and downpipes should be replaced if possible.

• Make sure all minor repairs are completed. Sticking doors and windows, loose door knobs, faulty plumbing or peeling paint may affect your sale.
• Consider a paint touch-up if you have scratches or chips in paint work.
• The oven is the big test. Completely degrease if possible.
• Place alfoil plates in your stove cooking tops (if applicable) and place a sheet of alfoil at the base of your oven.
• Polish the refrigerator, dishwasher and other white goods with car polish. This removes any rust and gives them a newer appearance.
• Shampoo the carpet - it improves the look of the carpet immensely and prevents the negative from a potential purchaser, "We would have to replace the carpet."
• Fix any dripping taps.
• Replace any blown light bulbs.

2. While The Home Is On The Market

• 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.
• A warm, comfortably heated home on cold days adds a feeling of cosiness and welcome. On a hot day make sure your home is well ventilated.
• Smokers and dog owners beware: nothing makes a buyer want to get out of a property quicker than stale air. Room deodorisers, a bowl of pot pourri and open windows will all help. Any home will be enhanced by the smell of a cake baking, or freshly brewed coffee.
• Keep your pets out of the way, preferably out of the home. Let the agent and buyer talk undisturbed.
• Avoid having too many people present during inspections. Your property consultant knows the buyer's 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 the 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 businesslike level when emotions are not involved.
• Keep windows clean, especially if you have a great outlook.
• A bunch of flowers for your "Open House Inspections" or pot plants will improve the appearance of your home.

3. After The Home Has Sold

It is easy to overlook some of the simple details when preparing to move. We have compiled a list of helpful hints that we hope will make your change of address a smoother operation.

• Engage an established, reliable removalist. Obtain a number of free no-obligation quotes, including the cost of packing.
• If you are packing yourself, ask the removalist to deliver packing cases beforehand. Ask too, about portable wardrobes to save clothes from crushing.
• Keep aside credit cards, keys, money, cheque book, pen and other items that could be needed for immediate use.
• Ensure you notify everyone, stop accounts and leave your forwarding address for:
  • Car registration
  • Household Insurance (transfer)
  • Telstra
  • Local Council (rates etc)
  • Health Insurance
  • Banks
  • Aurora
  • Newsagent
  • Publications subscriptions
  • Post Office (and arrange forwarding address)
  • Electoral roll
• Before you leave, check taps, power, windows/doors, old keys handed over, electricity off.

4. Other Information

Other details that are essential for the home owner to establish before selling their home are:

1. What price should I ask for my home?
2. What method should I employ to sell my home?
3. What Agent's fees do I have to pay?
4. What will be my legal costs?

These details are best discussed face to face. The fee structure will obviously depend upon the sale price of your home.

In order to establish the sale price, your Real Estate Agent will need to personally inspect your home and provide you with a detailed market appraisal.

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