While much of the media hype about the property market is doom and gloom, the data shows house prices appeared to have turned the corner and are edging upward again. That means it’s likely buyers are going to see more homes come on to the market in the next few months.
As an experienced agency in your area, we have seen owners pull back from the decision to sell because of of interest rate rises and concern about prices. Now, everything is starting to change.
Auction clearance rates aross the combined capitals are regularly in the mid-70% range, and that will be enticing an increasing number of home owners to test the market.
Industry researcher CoreLogic makes a direct correlation between rising prices and owners putting out the For Sale sign. It says “historic analysis” suggests we will see a “2% bump in new listings this calendar year”.
Making your move now – before hundreds more properties hit the market in Spring – maybe the smart move.
Recent figures show, there were 138,144 listings, which CoreLogic described as a “near decade-low”. Total listings were -31.5% below the decade monthly average, it says.
Attracting buyers and even multiple bids is a likely outcome if you’re selling a well-presented, competitively-priced family home or apartment.
Below are a few ideas to help you quickly prepare your home for sale. If we can help you sell your home, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Plan your work – Walk through your home like a buyer and note the improvements you need to make. Allocate time for each task so you don’t get distracted and you can create a schedule to get the jobs done that works in with other things happening in your life.
Fix problems – Homes always suffer from wear and tear, and for the most part we tend to be happy to live with these minor issues. However, you must fix them before putting your home on the market. Common challenges include: fixing leaky taps, zapping bathroom mould, regrouting around taps, filling in dings and holes in walls, repairing loose skirting boards, addressing broken gutters and patching broken concrete paths.
First impression – If you own a house, prioritise your curb appeal: Ensure the front porch, entryway, and garden are tidy and welcoming. In an apartment, it might assist to do a clean up of shared areas, or lobbying the body corporate to do repairs.
Clean slate – A beautifully presented home always impresses buyers. The most essential task is giving your home a good declutter and clean. Focus on high-traffic areas, such as the living room, bathrooms and kitchen. Ask yourself, “do you really want to pack this and move it?” when you sell. If the answer is no, get rid of it.
Sweet smell – Pay attention to the smell of your home, especially if you have pets. While you might have become used to the odours, pet scents will be on the nose for buyers. You may need to hire professional cleaners and steam-clean carpets. Don’t try and mask bad smells with room diffusers or spray. While quality scent can make a clean home smell sweeter, it’s rare they truly mask strong odours and their liberal use can be a dead give-away.