Understanding the timeline to sell a home

Selling a home can be a complex and time-consuming process, influenced by various factors such as market conditions, location, property condition, and pricing strategy. Understanding how each of these factors play a part can help set expectations around the sales process.

Adrian Goslett, Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa explains that the overall condition of the real estate market is a primary determinant of how quickly homes sell. "As things stand, the South African property market has experienced fluctuations due to poor economic growth, high interest rates, and political uncertainty around the elections," he explains.

Broadly speaking, the average time to sell a property in South Africa might typically range from three to six months, though this can vary significantly from property to property. On average, the time listed on remax.co.za before marked as sold was 70.3 days in 2023. In the Q1 2024 RE/MAX National Housing report, the average days until marked as sold dropped to just 21.5 days.

Apart from the overall market conditions, over which a homeowner will have no control, there are other specifics about the home that might affect how long it takes to sell. "The condition of the property is another essential factor. Homes that are well-maintained, modern, and move-in ready are more appealing to buyers and tend to sell faster," says Goslett.

On the other hand, he notes that properties requiring significant repairs or renovations might deter buyers, extending the selling period. "Sellers are often advised to invest in necessary repairs and home staging to make their properties more attractive to potential buyers," he recommends.

Another factor that could be delaying the sale is asking price. Goslett cautions that overpriced homes, especially within the current economic climate, can linger on the market for extended periods, while competitively priced homes attract more interest and tend to sell faster. "It's essential to conduct a comparative market analysis to understand the pricing of similar properties in the area. Real estate agents can provide valuable insights and help set a realistic and appealing price," he recommends.

"For sellers looking to expedite the process, it's crucial to understand these factors and work with experienced real estate professionals to navigate the market effectively. By doing so, sellers can enhance their chances of a swift and successful home sale," says Goslett.

Kitchen facelifts

Kitchens are renowned for their impact on the value of a home, and clever updates in this area can give a lot of bang for your buck. Concentrate on external surfaces like countertops and cabinet doors, which are easy to refurbish without professional help.

Cabinet doors

Modern buyers definitely prefer light and bright kitchens and repainting old, dark cabinets a lighter or more modern colour can really open up a space.

Solid wood cupboard doors can be sanded down using a palm sander before painting, while melamine cabinets need to be primed with a special primer before they'll be ready to paint. Remember to remove the doors from the cabinets and take off all the handles and hinges before sanding and painting. Use a foam roller with a water-based enamel paint for the smoothest and long-lasting finish.

Countertops

Great countertops make a big difference to both a kitchen's appearance and the cooking experience. Granite, Caesarstone and marble counters are always crowd favourites, but they do cost a fair bit and need to be installed by professionals. Timber and Formica are much more approachable and affordable for the DIY family, and can be just as attractive if they're chosen and installed well.

When selecting a Formica finish, Jacobs recommends avoiding dated options like faux granite or marble.

Modern wood grains and minimalist textures give the best results. A square edge profile rather than the traditional quarter-round also adds a more contemporary flavour.

For the more adventurous DIYer, there are also options like casting your own concrete countertops. Just keep in mind the general style of your home, and make sure your countertop choice enhances its surroundings.

Your garage

Garages may not seem like the most important part of a home, but Jacobs says homeowners can add a lot of value to their property by turning them into more functional spaces.

Garages are often underutilised. They're ideal spaces for adding extra storage - something that is very important to a lot of buyers, and can often accommodate a mini workbench or laundry area with a little planning.

While adding a laundry corner to your garage would require a plumber, storage is an easy weekend DIY for the handyperson in your home.

You can buy ready-made cupboards and shelves from your local hardware store, but budget-conscious DIYers can also try second-hand websites to find old kitchen cabinets to mount along their garage walls.

For those with less available space, hanging storage may be a better option. Try pegboard walls with hooks for holding everything from bicycles to lawnmowers and secateurs.

Update outdoors

Garden spaces are still very popular with buyers, but a bigger emphasis is being put on ease of maintenance.

Water-hungry lawns and labour intensive plant beds are falling out of favour, but outdoor entertainment areas are in high demand. Homeowners with a flair for DIY could do well to combine these two trends by adding paved or gravel sections to their garden, and possibly a pergola or a built-in braai.

While paving may be hard work, it is DIY-friendly, as is the basic brickwork required for a simple braai. Construction plans for braais and timber pergolas can be found online, and all supplies are available at your local hardware store.

Remember, low-maintenance doesn't mean bare of all greenery and life - try to at least keep a border of plants or creepers, and definitely preserve any mature trees.

Restyle your bathroom

Bathrooms may be tricky to totally revamp as a DIYer, but small updates can make a big difference here. Try a fresh coat of paint on your walls and ceilings and replace old-school towel rails and accessories with more modern versions. You can also refinish your bathroom cabinets, or replace your vanity entirely. Adding a few stylish mirrors or display shelves can be a great idea as well.

Retiling makes a huge difference, but it's a pretty big DIY. If you're not up for a project of that scale, you could consider refinishing your existing tiles using the specially formulated tile paints that are now available.

If you do decide to paint your tiles, just remember to follow the instructions very closely. For the best finish, avoid areas like shower enclosures that get wet on a regular basis.