Selling Tips

When to Sell...

A common question we are asked is when is the best time to sell? Traditionally spring has been seen as a good time to sell as gardens are in their best condition and weather is pleasant. We feel that the spring market can often be flooded with too many properties giving buyers too much choice and providing too much competition for your sale. Looking at market trends the main period to avoid is that of December as many people take holidays over this period.


Choosing your Agent

There are a number of things to consider when choosing an agent to sell your property. The main things are:

  • Experience – Track record in an area is one of the main items to look at when employing an agent. Check out their experience with a particular type of product and price range. Ask for a list of recent sales to help assess this.
  • Personality/attitude – This is important, you must like your agent. If you like him/her there is a good chance that buyers will. A good attitude and friendly personality will also make buyers feel more comfortable during negotiation.
  • Knowledge – Knowledge is acquired through experience as well as an individuals drive to learn. Knowledge is relevant in terms of the area in which the property is being sold, negotiation skills, legal/compliance aspects of a sale and marketing, and the property market in general.
    Remember that with Real Estate agencies, even though they may appear to be large companies each agent is like a small business working under the umbrella of the company name.

    So consider employing a boutique agency like First City Realty to receive first class service in a personalised environment.


    Presentation

    First impressions are extremely important when selling your property. The main items that should be attended to when preparing your
    property for sale are:
    • Exterior maintenance including that of gardens
    • Attending to small faults internally e.g. leaking taps, cracks, peeling paint
    • Clean the property form head to toe as this shows that it has been well maintained
    • De-clutter rooms and remove any unnecessary items – this will always make a room look bigger!
      The Sales Process

      Method of Sale – The first step in the sales process after employing your agent and establishing a likely selling price is to consider       which method you should use to sell your property. The choices are:
      • Private Treaty
      • Expressions of Interest
      • Auction
      • Open for inspections – With a full marketing campaign these will be held twice a week at appointed times usually for 45 minutes. Some by appointments might also be necessary for evening viewings or 2nd inspections.