Sell a top shape property
Property sellers should make sure their house is in top condition before putting it on the market.
If you are thinking of putting your home on the market now may well be the perfect time to do so.
The FNB House Price Index recently reported that the average house price rose by nearly 7 per cent in 2013 over the average price for 2012.
Last year was also the second successive year of real house price growth after four years of real price decline.
“Bear in mind, however, that in some cases, the estimated time needed to market the average property can sometimes be fairly lengthy at around 17 weeks, or just over four months,” says Jason Shaw, manager of Pam Golding Properties.
“It is not often that a potential buyer enters a home, falls in love with it immediately and puts an offer on the table the very same day. That is because certain properties just do not tick all the right boxes at first glance. In fact one of the greatest barriers to selling your home may be the fact that your property may be in need of a simple, inexpensive sprucing up.”
Jason adds that it is important to make the best possible impression when putting your home on the market.
“You do not want to be confronted with a situation where you cannot sell your property in good time or for the desired price because of a small gremlin or two,” says Jason.
On show day, small things in your home which you often overlook as a resident, such as chipped paint, a door that won’t close properly or small surface cracks on your walls, may become an unnecessary obstacle when selling your home.
“For this reason, it is critical that homes are well prepared for sale,” says Jason.
It is always a good idea to try and put yourself in the shoes of the prospective buyer. Remember that buyers may already have the perfect house in mind when choosing their future home.
A minor chip in a tile or a tiny mark on a wall could cause the buyer to come to the erroneous conclusion that your home needs a great deal of work.
“It is therefore well worthwhile to look at your home with a critical eye before show day so that you can address small, inexpensive repairs like damaged fittings, imperfect wallpaper and leaky faucets,” Jason adds.
Shaw advises sellers to make their homes as light and bright as possible for show days. For example, make sure that all your windows are free of creepers or other obstructions. Pull your curtains as far back as possible and be sure to clean your windows so they sparkle.
Your garden is also important to prepare ahead of a show day. This should be mowed, weeded, landscaped and kept immaculate. Don’t forget to spruce up your verge, the area in front of your home, which creates that all-important first impression.
“Remember that you are selling not just a property but also a dream,” says Jason.
