Top tips for first-time sellers

Time to upgrade to a bigger and better property? Congratulations! You're in for an exciting journey, first-time seller!

Here are some tips from the pros on how to make sure it's a smooth and successful ride.

Get a valuation (or three)

The first step in any property sale is to book a property valuation. This isn't just about setting a price-point for your sale - it's also about getting to know a few real estate agents before you choose the one you want to work with.

It is recommend getting two or three valuations from a variety of agents active in your area. This helps ensure the recommended price that you go with is, indeed, realistic, and also lets you compare the market knowledge and service quality of agents you might want to work with.

A good valuation should always include a detailed comparative market analyse, complete with first-hand insights into current market conditions and competitive listings.

Choose your agent wisely

As a first-time seller, you may be tempted to choose your agent based on the highest recommended listing price or lowest commission. This is a rookie mistake that can seriously backfire on your sale.

You don't sell a property quickly and profitably by padding your sales price, or being overly thrifty on necessary costs, You sell well by listing at a market-related price point, and using the agent best able to maximise your property's profile within your specific target market.

As such, prioritising qualities like experience, strategic thinking and good word-of-mouth referrals when choosing an agent is vital.

*Commission can be negotiated. Competence can't*

Did you know? Sole mandates are known to achieve higher sales prices than open mandates and are recommended by most property professionals.

Keep your emotions in check

Every home has happy (and not so happy) memories attached to it. These can make it tricky to remain objective when getting ready to sell.

Trust that your agent has your best interests in mind when it comes to prepping your home and advertising your listing. The features you love most, and want to highlight, might not play in your favour on the market. Rather let your agent take the lead on ideas to maximise your home's appeal to buyers.

It's also vital to keep emotions out of things like compulsory defect disclosure lists. It might be tempting to hide a few flaws, or gloss over the extent of a situation to avoid deterring buyers, but this can cause very real legal repercussions down the line.

Make your home show-house ready

Every home benefits from a little freshening-up before hitting the market, but there's no need to go overboard on pre-sale improvements.

The most important thing is that your home is clean, neat and decluttered. A little bit of depersonalisation - removing family photos and religious items, for instance - can also help.

Those wanting to go one step further can focus on boosting first impressions.

A few flowerpots lining the driveway, a freshly cut lawn, a coat of paint on the front door and sparkling windows can do wonders for putting buyers in a buying frame of mind.

Here are some useful tips to make sure your property is the best-dressed address in the neighbourhood:

1. Clear away the clutter

Nothing says chaos quite like clutter. It's easy to overlook your own clutter, but rather essential to pack it away when potential buyers come for a viewing. An untidy, cluttered home can be a major deterrent, particularly in high-use spaces like the kitchen and bathroom.

2. Sweetly scented

The way a space looks is only one part of its appeal. Make a home look good, but don't forget to ensure that it smells great too, as scent has a surprisingly strong effect on our emotions.

It's a good idea to have a pot of coffee brewing or something tasty baking in the oven. Similarly, a scented candle or a mild, but refreshing, room spray can make a subtle difference.

Also don't forget to take the rubbish out, wipe surfaces and clear the kitchen sink.

3. Inside out

While it's the inside that seals the deal, the outside is not to be neglected. The outside of a home is the potential buyer's first experience of the property, which is why it's important to make a favourable impression even before they step through the door.

Paint the wall and make sure the garden is neat and tidy. Even if there is no garden, make sure the veranda, balcony or walkway is clean and unobstructed. A potted plant also goes a long way in adding greenery and life to an outside area.

4. From beyond the fence

It's also useful to consider matters from the buyer's point of view. A buyer has likely looked at tens of properties, with many of them starting to look and feel the same. Often the ones that stand out are those that have enjoyed some TLC in the form of home staging.

In countless instances, the decision to purchase a property is made emotionally and later rationalised intellectually and financially. Home is where the heart sees itself flourishing, which is why it is so useful for the seller to encourage the potential buyer by employing the soft intervention.