I Want to Sell. What Next? 10 September 2022

s For many people, they will buy and sell a home two or possible three times in a lifetime. With long periods between these sales, they have forgotten what it was like, what they did and what did or did not work for them. Times have also changed. I come across many Sellers who last bought and sold more than a decade ago, some even longer. Legislation has changed, technology has changed and cultures have changed. Some people are confident and consider themselves qualified to sell their own homes. If you are one of these people, you probably don’t think you need this article anyway. If you are one of the others, read on:

Step 1

The first step is assessing who the best professional is for your home. Conduct an internet review of agencies in your area and see who is active. A lot of property portals will have a tab to”Find an Area Specialist”, and they may even have a ranking system. It can be useful to see if there is an agent who deals mostly with high priced realty or mostly with middle of the range. It may be tempting to go for the high price agent, but consider whether they will be interested in your home if you are in the lower or middle price range. Also consider the length of time a listing has been on the market. An agent who lists at a high price, simply to get a mandate and then waits and waits and waits for the property to sell is not a good solution . Regardless of the price, an agent with stale stock is not first prize.

Step 2

Interview 2 or 3 or even 4 agents. They should be able to give you an indication of market activity, their experience and what sets them apart from the rest. They will be able to offer an opinion on the value of your property and a strategy for going to market. Depending on where your home is, top of the market or more middle of the road, you can get an idea of what it is they intend to do. Mostly a basic plan is better than an overcomplicated strategy. There are some things that have not changed, and the basic mechanics are the same. Choosing an agent based on a 15 minute interview is tough. How do you know they have your interests at heart? What if they just want a quick sale? What are the risks? These are all good questions. Your agent, first and foremost, must have a valid Fidelity Fund Certificate (FFC). This is proof of their qualification and good standing with the governing body of the industry. Then during the interview you should get a feeling of who they are. The Hard Sell Harry, with lots of one-line-sells-all pitch material from the last sales conference. Or the maybe Nancy Newbie, who is not really sure of what she is doing and doesn’t know her documents thoroughly. There is no sure-fire way to pick the right agent. Go with someone who you feel you can trust and get along with. The sales process in not usually quick and working with someone who rubs you the wrong way, on something as personal as you home can be unpleasant. What about commission? You will get an idea from talking to several agents what the going rate is in the area. This is your home, a big investment, and a lot of money. This is not a good time to cut corners. An agent who consistently works on a low fee needs a higher turnover, which means they have to deal with a lot of listings, and will have less time for you. Once you have agreed on an agent, a fee and a listing price:

Step 3

What should I Fix? This can be a tricky question and is a topic for a whole article itself. Suffice is to say ask the agents.

Step 4

Going to Market! Take a few photos of your home. Now put them on a computer and have a look at them. You will be surprised how different your home looks through a camera and on a screen. For most buyers the first time they see your home will be online. This is the all important first impression. If your home looks tired, cluttered or shabby in the photos, the buyers will start scrolling on past and find something more appealing. Don’t freak out and start renovating, unless this was your intention all along. Just sort out the little things. Have your agent assist you with a photo shoot. Take very personal items off the wall, neaten up the garden and front door. Don’t forget the pavement. Curb-side appeal is important. Have a “For Sale” board up.

Step 4

The offer is coming in. This is where I will end this article . If you have questions, drop me a line.