We all love it when the weather gets warmer. It changes our outlook and fills our lives with warmth. Did you know that it is also the hottest time of the year for selling your home?
Each January, Realestate.com.au reports its highest traffic rates driven by increased local and interstate enquiry.
Summer also sees the usual catalysts for change, like employment transfers, school transitions and lifestyle upgrades. Add to this the current trend of fewer listings and this creates a ‘need to buy’ situation leading to elevated levels of demand and increased competition among genuine buyers.
If you are considering selling early in the new year, it is a good idea to get started now on preparing your property for sale. Here is a look at what you should be doing leading up to putting your home on the market.
Step 1: Engage an Agent
Property presentation is at the core of Place Agent’s formula, and they are there to guide you through not only the sale of your property, but the preparation of it before it hits the market. They are also in tune with the buyers of today and can provide relevant guidance to ensure that when your property launches, it gets the attention it deserves.
Step 2: Plan and organise any pre-sale renovations and repairs
Pretend you are a buyer inspecting your property for the first time and write a list of all the improvements you could make with the property that you spot. If you have engaged an Agent, they will be more than happy to provide guidance on what you might like to consider repairing prior to selling your home. Fresh eyes can be incredibly helpful!
Once you have your list, start categorising them into jobs you can do, and jobs that require an expert. Another advantage of using an agent is that they will have a loyal list of tradespeople they can provide to you to help get things moving.
Step 3: Declutter, store, donate, sell or discard
This step is all about decluttering the home and removing most of your personal items and any excess clutter that has built up over time. This can be an overwhelming task, so go room by room and sort items into different piles to store, donate, sell, or discard, depending on your situation.
Step 4: Landscape the garden
Showcasing your outdoor space is vital when selling your Brisbane home, particularly in summer. Buyers look at decks, verandas, courtyards, and gardens as extensions of their homes. A place to entertain family and friends and enjoy our beautiful climate.
Ensure your garden is tidy and looking luscious and that if you have a pool area you refresh it prior to every open home. When it comes to styling, look for every opportunity, a small nook, landing near a door or unused outdoor space and consider adding a relaxing chair so buyers can envisage themselves sitting there reading a book, enjoying a glass of wine, or soaking up the sun. Outdoor furniture should highlight the summer lifestyle on offer, so be sure to include that when working with your agent. Read more tips on preparing your outdoor space here.
Step 5: Deep clean and curb appeal
Once you have decluttered your home, prepared your garden and done any maintenance, one of the final steps is to deep clean your home so that it is presented in the best possible light, giving buyers nothing to critique.
Step 6: Styling and staging
Presentation is a critical part of the selling process, and styling a home is worth its weight in gold. Home styling can transform someone's perception of a home and allow buyers to see how they would live there, as opposed to when it has personal belongings. Whilst it is not guaranteed, we have seen styling a property for sale add significant value to the sale price.
January comes but once a year and like me, you too should be sold on Summer! Start the conversation with your local Place Agent today to prepare your home for a New Year Sale.
This article first appeared in Place Insights - Brisbane Monthly Market Report. Click the link below to read the full report and be the first to receive our Annual Market Report, coming January 2023.
