For most sun-happy Australians, the best joy of winter is when it’s finally over.
When the days start to get longer, the windows aren’t dripping with condensation, and everything seems a little less dark and mouldy.
Old man winter is a seasonal milestone for many; and as the weather starts to warm up, the property market can be a sleeping giant that comes out of hibernation at this time of the year, too. After all, the rise in temperature typically brings with it more opportunities to be outside – and that means more buyers browsing at open homes.
So with spring right around the corner, if you’re hoping to take advantage of the traditional selling season, it’s time to start having those conversations with your agent right now. The process can seem daunting and it’s often hard to know where to begin, so we’ve included our five best pre-sale considerations to get you started!
Step 1: Get your pennies in order
The most sensible approach to selling is to first sit down and have a look at your finances, before even thinking about listing your home. Consider multiple options and circumstances; What price do you need to sell it for? Do you need to budget for any minor renovations or fix-ups? Will you need a deposit or any bridging finance for the next home? If you’re selling to buy another property, it’s at this point that you should shop for costs amongst conveyancers as well as get pre-approved for a loan – this will give you the upper hand when you’ve found that next place to buy.
Quick tips:
- Decide on a fix-up budget
- Shop around for conveyancers
- Consult a lender (if selling to buy)
Step 2: Check your home’s foundations
Will anything in your home deter a buyer from purchasing it? It’s a question that you can only answer by walking around and having a good look at your property. Check for things like cracks or crumbling, leaks, loose fixtures, or any other signs of wear and tear that may discourage a buyer. Make a checklist of all items that need to be repaired, or potentially checked including a professional pest or building inspection. Keep in mind that buyers will be looking for reasons not to buy a property; so what may be a minor crack in a wall to you, could ring a major alarm at an open inspection.
Quick tips:
- Check all plumbing fixtures for leaks
- Check walls and ceilings for cracks
- Check under-house foundations
- Repair signs of wear & tear
- Get a professional opinion for larger repairs
Step 3: ‘Wake up’ your property
It has probably had a long winter slumber too, so inject some life and energy into it! Now is the ideal time for gardening, so give the garden beds a weed, mow the lawns and opt for plants and shrubs that are already starting to bloom. If the interiors don’t need to be repainted, give them a good sugar-soap scrub and all other surfaces a thorough clean. Now is also the right time to be undertaking jobs like regrouting tiles and changing knobs, as you may not find another opportunity to do this once the property is on the market.
Quick tips:
- Plan for an outdoor day to spruce up gardens, clear the yard and mow lawns
- Paint or wash interior & exterior walls
- Regrout tiles
- Replace doorknobs if needed
- Wash windows and flyscreens
Step 4: Declutter
The less junk that you have, the bigger the room will look. This hard-and-fast rule applies to every property, and is going to guarantee that potential buyers see your home for what it really is. It’s wise to remove any personal belongings such as photos on walls, paperwork, decorative items and any additional furniture that crowd up a room, especially if these are private or valuable items that you don’t want at an open home. First impressions always count, so if in doubt, chuck it out!
Quick tips:
- Remove personal items
- Tackle rooms one drawer at a time
- The more you can clean and tidy now, the less you’ll have to do after the sale
Step 5: Store away valuables
If you plan to keep some of your furniture but can’t store it away or have someone else look after it, consider looking at your options with rental storage. Prices can vary, but are typically anything from $40-$50 a month for an average unit with companies such as Kennards Self Storage or Rent A Space. This is a worthwhile option for sellers wanting to remove larger items either before the open home or in-between buying the next place.
Quick tips:
- Get quotes for self-storage through e.g Kennards Hire or Rent A Space
Want more?
We’ve got a comprehensive checklist of quick, easy and cheap fix-ups to sell your home fast – and for more money! To grab your free copy today, simply head here to select the guides that you want, and we’ll send them straight to your inbox.
