Selling Tips

Deciding to sell your home is one of the biggest property decisions you will ever make, but the right preparation and team behind you guiding you through every step will make the process as smooth as possible

The A Team has compiled this guide to help steer you in the right direction so you can start planning your next move.... 

It’s designed to provide you with general advice to understand each step and equip you with the tools and information you need to get the result.

Where do I start?

If you've already made the decision to make the next move and sell your property, the next step in the process would be to start looking for a local agent that you feel comfortable with to help you achieve the result you desire.

The best thing to do is monitor the listing for sale in your immediate vicinity for a few months prior to the time you're thinking of selling - this will give you an idea of who the active agents in your area are. These agents are often the most knowledgeable of your local area and the recent sales. Setting a meeting with a few local agents will also help you get a 'feel' for the agents. Remember it's not always about the numbers - finding an agent that represents and aligns with your families needs is as important to achieving a great result and smooth process.

Watch the market, do your research, and go with your gut.

When Is the Right Time to Sell My home?

Certain events in life can trigger the need to sell up and move, such as a growing family, a new job or retirement. The time of year may also affect the outcome. It’s hard to know when it’s the right time to sell, but watching the market and timing the sale well can give you the best result.

If you have the luxury of choice most agents will recommend the peak seasonal times of year to sell your home such as Spring. However, most people often don't think about selling in those quieter times such as Autumn or late Winter when there's less competition on the market and pressure to compete with other listings. At the end of the day it depends on your personal circumstance but speaking with your local agent will give you a better idea of your position in direction comparison to your local area.

What are the different ways to sell a home?

Auction, private treaty or expression of interest – what are the differences, and which is best for your situation? There are pros and cons for each type of sale campaign. This will largely depend on what type of property you are selling, the market and the area.

The most common type of sale in our local area is Auction. This method of sale creates more anticipation and competition in an ideal scenario often driving the price up on the day as buyers compete with their heart in the moment. However, Auctions don't suit  all properties and markets - sometimes a Private Treaty sale is just as effective. This method can be used to weed out the market with a pre determined price instead of attracting buyers that may not be in the vicinity. It also is highly effective when there are high stock levels in the local market.

What is the Role of the agent?

They are the face of your marketing campaign, but how do agents help you get the best price for your home? A good agent can mean the difference between a positive and smooth process or a negative and disjointed process which can leave a bad taste in vendors mouths for years to come. Ultimately we believe that the role of the agent is to advise, communicate and mediate the sale of your home in the best interest of you as the vendor for the best price possible under the most ideal terms available at the time.

Ultimately, no one can predict what is going to happen when a property goes to market - if we did we would be millionaires :) but the right agent will have the right processes in place to help build the best campaign to steer you in the right direction towards success. Your agent should be in constant communication with you about your campaign and provide regular updates on buyer feedback, the market trends and advice to achieve your desired result.

Your agent is your most trusted advisor in this process so don't shy away from leaning on them throughout the process.

How to prepare your property for sale?

To get the best price for your home, you need to show it in the best light. Homes present well when they are clean and decluttered. You might also need to do some minor Repairs to your home and or smart updates to add value before sale. It's often wise to get a second opinion from an outsider as we often tend to turn a blind eye to parts of our home we love and are very personal and evoke fond memories.

it's best to remove the negatives from your house that can be an instant turn-off, and instead create a welcoming ambiance which calls out to prospective buyers that the house is fresh, clean, and ready to move into.

The top 3 tips for preparing our home:

1. Declutter and think minimalist - keep the house as minimal as possible removing all personal items creating a blank canvas for prospective buyers to envisage the home in their own way without visual barriers.
2. Complete minor repairs - One of the biggest turns offs for buyers is wear and tear - Its best to discuss with your agent small improvements you can make to 'refresh' your home and present the property in its best light.
3. Style your home - Styling can be the best investment you make in your property. Often homes will be presented and styled throughout to create buyer interest in a mood or feel that is in keeping with the character of the home and help buyer visual the space. Styling can also cleverly enhance your properties best features by choosing the right size and style of furniture that best suits the size, proportion, and style of the home.

When a full property style isn't an option sometimes you can discuss partial styling accessories to enhance your current furnishings.

What can I expect during the campaign?

During the sale you will be required to make the property available for regular inspections. If you property is tenanted sometimes this may mean negotiating a rent reduction offer to compensate for any inconvenience to the tenant or even to just say thank you and create a good rapport with the tenants to help make the process smooth.

The agent might also have a signboard installed at the premise to attract the interest of passers by. It might also be a good idea to get a gardener in if needed to keep the landscaping looking fresh during the campaign.

Agents may also need to show the property to buyers in private appointments so if this is possible its best to make yourself scarce for these opens.

The agent may also opt to have a meeting with you weekly to communicate the interest during the campaign and discuss plans for the week ahead with regards to approaching open homes and buyers.

What happens after selling your house?

While you are packing up your belongings and preparing to move into your new home, your real estate agent and conveyancer will be tasked with completing the property transaction so you can receive the proceeds of the sale. If you've sold under the hammer there is no cooling off period, so the transaction is signed, sealed and delivered on the day of the auction. If you sold under private treaty the 5 day cooling off period will need to be observed before any finalisation by your conveyancer.

Depending on your settlement terms now if where you plan for the transition.

• Make sure you leave all fixtures listed on the contract of sale with the property this may generally include blinds, Aerials, Dishwashers, Dryer etc. best to check with your agent or conveyancer.
• Organise to redirect and change your address with your local council, Sydney Water or alternative and your strata company if needed - it's also a good idea to set up a redirection of all your mail for 3 months.
• Any items the new homeowners could use such as tiles, paint etc would be nice to leave as a gesture of good faith for the purchaser.
• Make sure you do not change anything about the premise once sold as the property needs to be handed over as it was presented and viewed for purchase at the open homes. Anything that is identified as "changed" will be raised at thew final inspection.
• Confirm your agent has the correct account details for the transfer of the deposit once settlement occurs - if the deposit is being held by the agent
• Organise a final clean of the home for the new purchaser - while this is not mandatory its all in good faith and hopefully you will receive the same on the other end.