Professional secrets for selling your home quickly and at the best price

Selling a home can be a tedious process, especially when it drags on for ages and your house always has to be in tip top conditions for viewings. And if you have already put in an offer to buy another property and you need to sell your home in order for the transaction to be finalised, it can be especially frustrating,

Although appointing the right agent to partner with is important, sellers can’t afford to sit back and simply wait for that one buyer who might be able to see past the flaws to the home’s potential and there are numerous things that they can do to significantly facilitate the sale.

Whilst there is undoubtedly an element of luck to selling a home quickly, when sellers are doing everything correctly and working closely with their agent, it’s only a matter of time before the right buyer will come along.

The following are tried and true tips to ensure your property stands out from the competition and attracts the attention of serious buyers:

Do your homework: Before you even start looking for an agent, research the market in your area to determine the selling prices of similar properties and to see which features are highlighted as selling points. Which listed properties stand out for you and why?

Select the right agent for you: A good agent is invaluable, but the wrong agent can just as easily sour the transaction and sale experience. Find out which agencies are most active in your area and interview at least two agents. Don’t be won over by the highest valuation you receive as it’s usually not the best valuation.

Select an agent based on their experience, skill sets, local market knowledge, sales track record and the agency’s marketing reach.

Price your property right from the get-go: You can’t afford to price yourself out of contention as buyers will almost always opt for a similar property at a lower price if they have the choice, Remember, there is a difference between market price and the bricks and mortar value - and there is always a ceiling to what the current market is willing to pay.

Touch up – but don’t overcapitalise: Quick fixes like a fresh coat of paint and repairing fittings and fixtures are always worth the spend, but you are unlikely to see a return on investment for major make-overs just before selling.

Don’t underestimate the importance of the kitchen: It literally is the heart of the home which can sway a potential buyer’s decision so it’s the one room in the home where spending a little extra is likely to pay off.

Make the first impression count: Before setting foot inside, a buyer will already have formed an impression, so don’t neglect to spruce up the curb appeal. Paint the fence, mow the lawn, tidy unruly bushes and trees and plant some colourful flowers. Make sure your front door is presentable and if you have a stoep, outdoor furniture and a pot plant won’t go amiss.

Professional photographs only – and plenty of them: With most people beginning their searches online, you need to grab potential buyer’s attention from the competition and the best way to do this is with quality photographs that show your home to its best advantage. Make sure you tidy and declutter before the photo shoot.

Compare your advert with others: Have a look at your property advert online and compare it to other similar properties in the area. Closely examine the photos and also read the property description. If yours doesn’t stand out from the others, ask your agent to amend the advert.

Keep it light: Good natural light is a feature that most home buyers appreciate so optimise the light in your home by cleaning the windows, tying back curtains and opening blinds. And don’t forget to trim bushes and trees outside the windows. A light, bright and airy home is much more sellable.

It’s all about the experience: Potential buyers should be able to imagine themselves living in your home so try and make it as inviting as possible. Stimulate the senses with enticing aromas like freshly baked biscuits and brightly coloured scented flowers in the entrance hall. Set the dinner table with your best service and plump all the cushions in the living room.

De-personalise your home: The more personal items in your house, the less potential buyers can imagine themselves living there so try and pack away photograph frames if you have more than a couple on show, tidy personal clutter and keep the fridge free of children’s drawings.

Tidy and half-empty closets: Storage space is on every buyer’s priority list and messy, over-filled cupboards will give the impression that there is insufficient storage in your home. If possible, remove up to half the items out of your closets and neatly organise what’s left.

Clear the garage: The garage is where most people store all the things they seldom use, but buyers will want to see this space so rather take the opportunity to clear it now to make a better impression and save yourself the hassle when you move. Don’t let the garage detract from all the effort you’ve made inside the house.

Remove the pets: Not everyoneis an animal-lover and being welcomed by over-friendly dogs or tripping over a cat litter box might well put off a keen buyer. If possible, take the dogs for a walk or to visit a friend whilst people are viewing.

Be flexible with viewing times: Yes, it’s often inconvenient, but remember that the sooner you allow prospective buyers to view your home, the sooner it will sell.

Always be show-ready: You can’t afford to delay a viewing because you haven’t had time to tidy as a prospective buyer may end up purchasing the property that he/she views instead. Make it a habit to tidy after yourself: don’t leave dishes in the sink, make sure the bathrooms are always sparkling and that bedroom floors aren’t strewn with dirty laundry.

Never show the property yourself: Even though no one knows your house better than you, the fact of the matter is that most potential buyers feel uncomfortable viewing properties when the seller is in attendance and they are therefore less likely to ask questions or voice opinions for fear of offending the homeowner. Rather give your estate agent a set of keys and schedule viewings for when you can be out of the house.