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Dec 12, 2022
How to create a winning listing for your property
In markets where there is a lot of competition with many listings or even in those when the listing pool is scarce, a great marketing campaign with the right elements can be key in finding you the fastest possible buyer at the best price. Agents may talk with you about the prospect of advertising the property off-market first prior to going to an on-market listing, where they may advertise to a select database in the beginning. Ensure that your agent is guiding you with a winning strategy around the listing so that you aim to get higher numbers of interested parties through the door. Engage the right agent A good sales agent will discuss a marketing strategy example with you at the listing presentation and should be able to provide examples of similar properties that they have sold in your area that are comparable. Look at these examples after the listing presentation and consider your meeting with the agent and the marketing to assess whether their vision and values align with yours. You will be spending some time talking with the sales agent during the campaign and it is important that you agree on the direction of the sale. Consider professional styling when listing Our sales agents will talk with you about the options for professional styling of the property prior to listing it for sale and during the sales campaign. If professional styling is not possible, they can also discuss options and affordable packages for virtual furniture, especially for professional photography. Professional and virtual styling can help in achieving the best result and price for your home as everyday clutter is cleared and potential buyers can see as much as possible of the property and view themselves in the space. Professional photography and video During your listing appointment, our sales agents will discuss packages for professional photography and video. The value that professional photos and video can bring in a rapidly moving market can be the difference in the final sale price of your home. Professional photography helps to showcase the home and its features in the best light, and it is the first impression that a buyer will get of the property which is why it is important to get it right. Video walk-throughs can show the outlay of the home and give those who are interstate or international more access to view the property and make a more informed decision when it comes to the sale. Video is a relatively new addition to the real estate marketing mix, you can read more about the benefits of selling with video here. Explain the property features in words Advertising your home needs to tell a story. The benefits of the home, its history, its uniqueness, and its features will appeal to buyers and make them want to come through the inspection and make an offer. Our sales agents will work through the copy with you as part of the marketing strategy to ensure that the characteristics of your home are showcased including how it feels to walk through the property and the benefits of your neighbourhood including amenities and local finds. Contact our team and we can make an appointment to provide an appraisal on your home and talk about the best marketing strategy for you.
Nov 30, 2022
Should I sell my investment property?
Making the decision to sell your investment property is usually one that is not made lightly, and you may find that you spend some time deliberating over whether to sell the property or hold onto the investment. Timing when to sell your property is often a major factor and the length of time that you keep the property will depend on your investment goals. Will it be affected by market conditions? Consider the current market and what is trending when assessing your decision to sell or retain. A booming market, maybe a great time to sell, however, think about at what point in the boom you are selling and if it is on a downturn. There is no one expert who can accurately predict when a market may rise or fall, and it is important to carry out your due diligence when looking at selling to ensure that you are in the right market for your needs. Property will always sell, and people will always need housing. What you achieve from the sale, in the end, will depend on a number of factors including your expectations, what the market will pay and having a great agent in your corner. Should you be keeping it for a longer-term? One factor to think about is the length of time in which you have owned the property and if selling for a profit, how capital gains may impact your decision. Before choosing to sell, speak with your financial advisor about how selling might affect your finances and future investment. On the flip side, your advisor may also speak with you about options if you are losing money on the property and with rises and falls in costs, ongoing maintenance, and potential vacancy expenses, how this impacts your income and the investment. Are there opportunities to diversify your investment? As life changes, opportunities may come your way to mix your investment strategies and selling your investment property may be necessary to free up cash to move on to the next investment whether that be in more property or mixed sources. A changing market and the chance for more gains in the final sale price may assist in achieving those investment goals and diversifying your strategy. For more information on how much your investment property may be worth in the current market or for a strategy session on your next move, speak with our sales team about your options. If you are thinking about selling have you considered the benefits of video when selling?
Nov 13, 2022
The benefits of video in selling your home
In an online world, prospective buyers will look to the property portals and websites in the search for their new home. A professional video walk-through of your property can be one of the most impactful first impressions that a buyer may have before they attend the inspection. There are great benefits to using video in the promotion of your property for sale including getting the listing in front of more buyers and the chance to sell the property faster. Reach more buyers faster A professional video inspection can be launched online on the property portals and the agency website as soon as the property is listed. There isn’t a need to wait for an in-person inspection and potential purchasers can view the property online instantly. Videos reach out-of-area buyers One benefit of online videos is the reach that it provides to out-of-area buyers in a way that still images can’t. A virtual walk-through allows prospective purchasers to view the home if they cannot make the inspections in person and can increase buyer competition for the home. Social media promotion Using video when promoting the property on social media platforms in addition to the property and agent portals can increase buyer reach especially as social media changes move more to video to appeal to consumers. Communicate the features and benefits of the property Video inspections can explain the key features and benefits of the home and your agent can communicate commonly asked questions through this type of marketing which can assist in pre-qualifying buyers. They can also highlight lifestyle features and the location and community benefits of the location. Increase property interest and potential value A well-presented video is an engaging way of attracting buyers, especially when there are multiple listings in your market, and your property needs to stand out from the crowd. It will also ensure that there are more qualified buyers who attend the inspections. Professional video walk-throughs of the property can capture the attention of prospective buyers both locally, interstate and overseas and are an excellent way to show the property at its best and increase the interest and value of the property. If you would like to know more about how professionally presented video inspections can help in the sale of your home, speak with our sales team during your market appraisal about this worthwhile investment.
Oct 27, 2022
What to expect if your landlord sells
It’s not always welcome news when you are advised that the landlord has made the decision to list their property for sale. It may leave you with many questions, including what happens next? The property can be sold at any point, irrespective of what stage of tenancy you are in as the landlord’s situation can change over time. Can the lease be terminated? If you are in a fixed-term agreement for your lease, the landlord cannot terminate you during the period of the lease for a sale of the property. You may however come to a mutual agreement with the landlord if you decide to move out of the property before the sale where they agree for the fixed term agreement to be terminated without penalty. If you do decide to leave after the property has been sold, the fixed-term agreement terms will still stand with the new landlord of the property. Notice for inspections The property manager and sales agent must provide you with written notice of the intention to sell the property and when it will be listed and marketed for sale. The sales agent will also need to provide notice for times in which they would like to hold open for inspections at the property and will discuss the possibility of private inspections with you. Photography and open homes A sales agent will likely discuss with you the option of taking professional photographs of the property and you will need to provide permission for photos to be taken and used in marketing. During the open home process, there is a requirement for a tenant to make reasonable efforts to agree on times to allow prospective buyers through and that the property will be kept in a reasonable state of cleanliness. The sales agent or landlord may offer to help with a cleaner or gardeners and landscapers throughout the sale to ease some of the stress when it comes to expectations through the sales campaign. What happens after the sale When an offer has been accepted or the property has been sold at auction, there may be questions as to what happens next. If you are in a fixed term, the agreement will continue with the new landlord. If you are in a periodic agreement, you may be given the notice to vacate the property for the new owner or they may decide to keep the property as an investor. If you have any questions relating to the sale of the property you are renting, chat with one of our property managers who can walk you through what comes next. For further reading you could have a look at a recent post about the reverse situation - Considering selling a tenanted investment property?
Oct 19, 2022
How long does it take to sell a house?
One of the questions that will often be asked when you choose to sell your home, is how long will it take to sell? There are commentators who will claim to know the science behind how long a property will stay on the market before a qualified buyer snaps it up. There are no fixed periods that can be predicted the length of time that a property will take to sell, however, there are several things that you can do as a seller to help ensure that the property appeals to the right buyer, at the highest price, in the shortest possible time. Pricing affects how long it will take to sell Working with your agent and advice on pricing to get it right in the initial stages of the marketing campaign is essential in ensuring that your property appeals to the right buyer and gets the right attention earlier in the campaign. How long it will take to sell the property is likely to be affected by how accurately it is priced. If a property is not at the right price point, it can lead to further weeks on the market and reduce the number of interested buyers. Listening to advice and being realistic about the price based on comparable property sales will help to get the best possible sale price. Be realistic about market changes The property market is a constantly moving object and influenced by a number of factors, however, there are always buyers in any market, as long as you are realistic with market changes. Our agents will work with you to advise of market changes that may impact the sale price and recommend price adjustments if they feel that it is necessary to achieve a sale for your property. Maximise the property value Prior to listing your property and the marketing campaign, our agents may recommend refurbishments or improvements to your property that will freshen the property and appeal to potential buyers. While some improvements may be necessary, there are others that you may discuss that don’t proceed so that you don’t overcapitalise on your investment. Researching the options and your budget will assist in making an informed decision on what improvements are necessary and what are more luxury items that won’t affect the sale or how long it will take to sell. Property styling is also any area that can help declutter your property and show the key features that buyers will look for when looking to purchase. Our agents can work with you to find the best options for styling and recommend the best vendors to help with the sale of your home. Thinking about how you can make your property attractive to a buyer?
Oct 16, 2022
How to create a buyer attractive home
Attracting people to your home is key to getting a successful sale at a maximum price and there are some essential areas that potential buyers may look at when it comes to their list of requirements in living spaces and may ultimately determine if they choose your home to buy. Be smart about areas you focus on It may seem tempting to invest in changing spaces to make areas larger or create a specific use for one area, however, it is wise to treat the property like a blank canvas as many buyers will have different ideas for how they would use the living space. Rather than limit the number of buyers that may show an interest in the property, keep an open mind and options around your spaces to appeal to more buyers. Consider your living spaces before selling Many buyers will look at the functionality of the living spaces in the home and test their versatility against their requirements as a buyer. They may look for areas like more storage options, or hidden storage and areas for a home office that may integrate into living spaces. Larger bedrooms to allow children more space to move or play and clever bathroom and laundry solutions that incorporate elements of areas like mudrooms are sometimes options that will attract potential buyers. Buyers will consider what the energy rating is Sustainability is no longer a buzz word and many home buyers will look at the energy ratings that a property has and if sustainable measures can be easily installed or upgraded on the property. Think of areas like window glazing and compliance, solar energy, water efficiencies and electrical efficiencies like LED lighting throughout the home. If these are already installed, they may help with attracting buyers at the best price. Focus on the wow factor rooms If you do decide to invest in improvements prior to sale, look at the rooms that a buyer will look to for the wow factor or the luxury inclusions in areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Does the kitchen have a butler’s pantry or integrated appliances, is there a deep bath in the bathroom and more than one bathroom on the property? If you have pool areas or are close to the beach, are there outdoor showers to rinse off and change before heading into the property? Before looking to make changes or upgrading your home, talk to one of our sales agents about recommendations that they have and the difference this may make to your sale price. Do you have an interest in smart homes? If your property has smart features, you may also like to highlight them to potential buyers.
Sep 29, 2022
Key steps to marketing your home
You’ve made the decision on your sales agent, taken the necessary steps to list the property for sale and you’ve made improvements to the home to help it through a sale. You might be wondering about the marketing and advertising strategy that will be developed to appeal to potential purchasers and get them through the front door. Sell the features and benefits of the property Great advertising copy is a key tool in describing the features and benefits of your home. Buyers will search for their wish list of items through property search engines and keywords can help get your property to the top of their list. One key is listing out the benefits of the property that may appeal to the buyer market you are after. Does it have an abundance of storage? Are the spaces light and airy and are the gardens low maintenance? Your agent will think about the buyer the property is likely to appeal to, in order to craft the best ad copy. Photos and videos to showcase the home Your agent will likely recommend a marketing strategy that includes photos and video. Professional photography is an important factor in the advertising of a property for sale and now, a normal part of selling a home. Many buyers will head to the online property portals to search for a new home and expect to see good quality imagery of the property that shows the style, age and features as well as a floorplan showing the property layout. Video walk-throughs are also a beneficial marketing tool that can increase the number of potential buyers including those who are out of town or overseas and may not be able to attend open homes during the campaign. Get social with the marketing Your agent will also have a social media strategy to expand the reach of the number of potential buyers for your property. They may recommend advertising on various social media channels to increase the demographic that the property may appeal to, to find interested parties. Your sales agent is also likely to market out to their email database of potential buyers to get your home in front of as many people as possible. They will be able to provide information to anyone who may be interested in your property and arrange for them to inspect it. Don’t forget a ‘for sale’ sign When buyers are looking for properties, many will often drive around suburbs to get a feel for the area and work out if it suits their requirements. A well-designed and prominent ‘for sale’ sign can stand out and alert potential purchasers that your property is available and give them the chance to contact your agent for an inspection. With these marketing strategies included for the sale of your property, you can feel comfortable that all potential avenues are taken care of. Thinking about selling your property and wondering if you should make any improvements first? Take a glance at a recent post about three rooms that can add value to your home.
Sep 22, 2022
Selling your property? 5 Things to remember
There are often several lists of items to factor in when the time comes to sell your property and they could range from repairs to finding the right agent, to presentation and where to move to next. While these are all important factors, five additional areas to consider prior to or during the sale would include, understanding the market, building trust in your agent, checking in on your tenants as well as the property history and access details for future owners. Research the current market If you are a keen property enthusiast, you may already have your finger on the pulse of the property market and have a fine knowledge of what recent properties have sold for and where your home could sit on the ladder. Or, like many, you rely on the experts to advise you on the price and recent sales. To give you a head start, you could investigate through the real estate portals what properties in your suburb are listed or sold for so that you have an idea before engaging a property professional. Build a relationship with your agent Your sales agent is going to work with you through the event and it is important that you feel comfortable with the process and outcome. If you have questions, don’t be shy to ask as many as you need to understand the process and how they will assist you through the sale. Check on the owner and tenant obligations before selling your property If you are selling a property with a tenant, ask your property manager to advise you of the obligations that you have as an owner throughout the sale. This may include access to the property for inspections and notice periods that may be required once the property sells. You may choose to sell the property tenanted or provide the tenant with notice prior to selling, especially in cases where work may need to be done. Your sales agent and solicitor will need to know of any details like lease terms and tenancy details prior to the sale as this may impact the type of buyer that is interested and the terms relating to the exchange of contract. Considering selling a tenanted property? Remember to find the keys and access details Often if you have been living in the property for some time or there have been several tenancies, there may be an abundance of keys to the property, some that don’t fit locks or are even missing. Carry out a stocktake on keys and other access devices like remotes for garages and alarms prior to settlement so that these can all be handed over once the property has changed hands. Check the property history and requirements Are there requirements or caveats that are listed over the property that may impact the sale or attract a different kind of buyer? Older properties may be heritage listed or depending on neighbourhoods and councils, there may be restrictions over potential DA’s or work being carried out. It is important to be transparent with this information prior to the sale so that it can be communicated with potential purchasers and not have a chance to impact the sale. Your sales professional will be able to assist you.