5 Things You Can Do To Achieve The Highest Price For Your House

Getting the best price for your home is the main requirement of most vendors, as it can make a big difference to their wealth.  Achieving the highest possible sale price enables vendors to purchase their next property or to use the money for whatever the next stage of their life may hold.  There are some simple steps to help achieve a higher price for your property:

• Choosing the right agent

Choose an agent you can work with and trust with your most valuable asset.  It can be a short but quite intense relationship with your real estate agent and it’s important to feel that your agent has your best interests at heart.  It is important to remember that it is the overall result that matters most- sales price minus costs.

When choosing your agent, test your agent’s conversation and negotiation skills.  Does your agent listen to you?  Do they ask questions about what is important to YOU?  Do they have a warm and engaging personality?  Has he/she built rapport with you and does he/she seem likeable?  If an agent offers you the lowest commission, what do you think they will do with offers on your house?  Choose an agent that has proven sales and is able to negotiate effectively.  Look at the testimonials and reviews for the agents you are considering.

• Choosing the best pricing strategy

Make sure your agent has a clear strategy aligned with what you are happy with.  Quote the price you want, not a misleading “bait” price that some agents may recommend.  Today’s buyers, with easy access to information online, are more educated and have access to all information on comparable sales in the area. If you price your property honestly, you are more likely to get the price you want.

A good agent has ready buyers.  Early offers from these buyers are often the best offers.  Be ready for this by deciding, before marketing your property, what your best price is and what your acceptable price is.

• Declutter and Clean

Concentrate on those things that visually detract from the property.  You do not need to spend a fortune to get the best price for your home, however, simple tasks like decluttering and removing items that you have no intention of taking with you when you will move, will help.

• Remove excess furniture – this will provide the illusion of more space
• Take away personal items like photographs to allow prospective buyers to imagine themselves living in the property
• Wash walls, clean your windows and carpets
• Mow your lawns and tidy the gardens to provide a positive first impression
• Fix the small stuff. Most prospective buyers will want a building inspection done if one has not been done already.  Have a look around and identify which items might be noted on a building inspection- ie. Leaking taps, doors that don’t close properly, cracked tiles on the roof, marks on the walls etc.  Attending to these prior to an inspection creates less opportunities for potential buyers to negotiate the price of the house.  It also makes the home more appealing to prospective purchasers and may increase the purchase price.

• Home Improvements that are worth the investment
• This is a simple task that you can do yourself.  You can’t go wrong with painting the walls white for the biggest freshen up and great first impression.
• Revamp the entrance. Paint the front door a strong colour, update the doorway furniture and entrance mat and sends a message that your home is up to date.  Give the area around the entrance a good cleanup -remove cobwebs, trim plants and clean pathways.  Fix any loose pavers or fence palings.
• Floor Coverings. Getting carpets cleaned can make a huge difference to the look of a home.  However, no amount of cleaning is going to lift a floor covering beyond it’s use by date, so it may be time to replace what you’ve got.  Floorboards can be re-sanded and then you can have them lime washed, stained, painted or resealed.
• Kitchen upgrades. Updating your kitchen can be as simple as changing your kitchen cupboards or handles.  There are many options available for new handles which will freshen up the look of the kitchen.  Be sure to match the fitting characteristics to your current handles to ensure an easy switch with no marks on the cabinets.
• Roof repair. Potential buyers believe that a leaky roof costs a lot to fix and it will devalue your home.  Painting your roof can make it look almost brand new. Replace broken tiles and clean gutters.

• Selling at the right time
• Often the simplest thing to counter the prevailing seasonal trends and well in winter when there are fewer properties for sale. Most people tend to put their property on the mark in spring or summer because there are more people out and about and garden tend to look better in the warmer months.  There is more competition in those months.  On average about 30% more stock is on the market in the spring and summer months.  We have fewer buyers through open homes in the winter months, but the quality of the buyer is better.

There are many things to consider when selling your home and every situation is a bit different.  It is important to remember that the end result will be determined by your understanding of what most prospective buyers are looking for and your capacity to present your property in a way that generates an immediate emotional connection for them.  The right agent will help you consider all aspects of the decision process.