Spring is in the air. Traditionally it is a time when more home owners decide to sell. The better weather certainly hopes. People also know that the latter part of the year is the period when people start setting themselves for the following year – a move interstate, a change of jobs, a new school. All this means is that there are more buyers at this time of year.
So how do you take advantage of this fact? Make sure that your home presents at it’s best is probably the best piece of advice.
Research has shown that most people will make a decision about a home within the first 30 seconds. This means that FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE CRITICAL.
Ask yourself if you’ve bought a home in the last few years, where you first saw it. Chances are it was on the internet. In fact our research shows that over 50% of our enquiry comes from the internet and that figure is growing!
So how do you make sure that your property attracts buyers?
Firstly, ready the home for market. Look at the outside of the home (typically from across the street) How does it present? Do trees need to be cut back? Do lawns need to be cut? Could the windows do with a clean. Could the whole façade do with a new coat of paint? Would it be possible to plant some flowering plants that would bloom at the right time? This “curbside appeal” is very important. You don’t want people stopping outside your home and then driving off, without venturing out of their car!
Secondly, “attack” the inside of the house. The two most important areas to concentrate on are the kitchen and bathroom – the wet areas. If you are going to spend some money on sprucing the place up these are where you need to focus. FEMALES MAKE 80% OF REAL ESTATE BUYING DECISIONS. To neglect these two critical areas to family life is critical. At the very least kitchens and bathrooms should be clean and tidy.
Thirdly, remember that a potential buyer wants to be able to see themselves in your house. Your things gets in the way of this process. Tidy all rooms. Put away as many personalised possessions such as photographs and other memorabilia as possible. According to Maddie Jungstedt, the Interior Stylist whose service is complimentary to owners selling their home with Altus, “de-cluttering is the most important task an owner can carryout before going to market.”
Fourthly, give your home a “homely” feel. Clean fluffy towels on beds and in the bathroom are great for this process. So too are strategically placed homely smells such as peculating coffee. Don’t overdo it though. We once had a lady who did the coffee thing, but decided to combine it with incense as well as cook a roast. Fortunately, this case of overkill did not cost her the sale.
Finally, make sure that your home is photographed by a professional photographer. The difference between the amateur and professional can be stark in terms of photographic appeal. These guys see the angles, the light and the story behind each home more clearly than we could ever hope to do. That’s why we are always happy to let them do their job.
Happy hunting this Spring!
Jamie Harrington (Director, Altus Real Estate)