Here’s a seller’s nirvana – selling your home faster and for more money than you had anticipated. Sounds great, right? But how do you make it happen?
You can deploy a number of strategies to accelerate the process without compromising on your asking price, or the reserve if you’re going to auction.
As an experienced agent will tell you, there are no compromises if you want a quick and profitable sale beyond your original expectation.
The most fundamental decision is to select the right agent for you. There are plenty of great people who can sell your home, but you need to select an agent who connects with you and has experience in the local area selling homes similar to your own.
You also need to have complete confidence in their marketing approach. They may not offer the cheapest marketing strategy, but it should be one you understand and believe will achieve the best result.
Here are some ideas for helping to minimise the number of days your home is on the market, and to achieve the best possible price.
Maximise exposure – You want to be seen on the major portals – Domain and realestate.com.au. These are the two most popular destinations for home-hunters. Invest in a big signboard, as many prospective buyers will see the online entry and then do a drive-past to check out the property before calling the agent.
Digital presence – It’s worthwhile investing in a good video walkthrough of your home – an agent will arrange this. You can also commission 3D walkthrough specialists to create an immersive experience. It’s a great idea if your home might appeal to inter-state and overseas buyers.
Digital photography – Go “all in” with the photography. Use a real estate photography expert who knows how to capture the attention of an audience of prospective buyers scrolling through properties on the internet.
Curb appeal – It’s essential your apartment building or home looks stunning from the street. Many buyers make their first judgment from there. While this challenge can be hard if you’re in a block of units, do the best you can. First impressions are critical.
Direct contacts – Your agent should have many people on their database who have expressed an interest in buying a property similar to your own. Once you’re on the market, the agent should immediately reach out to these prospective buyers.
Feature focus – Be laser-focused on which features you wish to highlight for your home. If you’re selling a two-bedroom apartment, you may wish to promote the view or balcony. A family home should focus on the kitchen and family living areas.
Show times – Not everyone can make the stipulated “open” times that your agent will lock in before putting the property on the market. Work with your agent so they know you’re happy to work around the needs of buyers, especially if they want an early-morning or early-evening inspection.
Deep clean – Agents will consistently advise you to deep clean your home and also depersonalise it. That means taking away personal items and memorabilia so prospective buyers can imagine themselves living in your property.Price flexibility – In the first week or two of the campaign, your agent will solicit feedback from prospective buyers on what they’d be prepared to pay. Usually, it’s low-ball stuff and can be ignored. However, if you get consistent feedback that you’ve set your price too high, be prepared to meet the market.