Preparing to sell your home in Spring

If you are thinking about selling your property during Spring then hopefully you have made the most of the current lockdown situation and got on top of some remedial maintenance items and have been out in the garden.

In this article, we are going to walk you through the steps you can take now, to make sure you secure the best possible result when you go to market.

Step 1. Plan to beat the rush

In every market, there are times when the number of properties available for sale rises significantly. You want to launch at the beginning of this rush, if possible, to reduce the amount of competition and keep buyers focused on your home. This usually means doing the bulk of your planning now, so you can hit the Spring market full steam! Typically, late September through to early December sees a steady flow of new properties on the Kapiti Coast – this may be distorted somewhat due to Covid 19 lockdowns and only time will tell.

Step 2. Meet with your agent now

Many owners wait until the last minute to engage with a real estate professional, but it pays to start the process now. An experienced adviser can provide so much more than just a marketing plan. We specialise in helping owners decide what to do before selling and can advise you on what changes or improvements are going to add the maximum value. We can also, help you avoid situations where you might end up over-capitalising on unnecessary renovations.

Step 3. Engage a tradesperson as early as possible

If your home has some obvious maintenance issues, then engage a tradesperson as soon as possible. Most trades are heavily booked so the sooner you make that call the sooner you can get the problems sorted. You want to present your home with as few reasons as possible for buyers to not want to buy your home.

Step 4. Tour your house like a buyer

Start at the front gate and tour your home like a potential buyer. Cast a critical eye over each aspect, keeping in mind that first impressions matter most. You could also ask any overly honest friend to help with this. Build an action list of items to attend to but keep in mind, your home doesn't have to be perfect. Focus on the low-hanging fruit - things that are easy and don't cost much to fix, like hedges that need a trim, letterboxes that needs a lick of paint, or general decluttering.

Step 5. De-personalise now

You want a buyer to be able to imagine themselves in your home. Too many personal photos or keepsakes might make that difficult. Start depersonalising your home now just in case you spot holes in the wall you didn't know about that might need fixing before you go on the market.

Step 6. Do one room or area at a time

Don’t overcomplicate the process by biting off more than you can chew. Focus on one room or area at a time so the process isn’t too daunting. When each room/area has been brought to life, you will feel a great sense of achievement once it is complete, which will motivate you to continue the process.

Step 7. Start regularly mowing the lawn

You can tell if an owner has only just started caring about gardening when you visit a home. The lawn has a 'buzz-cut' scorched-earth look about it. If you want to avoid this, start mowing your lawn and trimming trees regularly now, along with moving old unused items (like broken trampolines) so it looks naturally well-kept when you hit the market.

Step 8. Set up a working bee (when the lockdown levels allow)

Ask for help! If you feel like the process of getting your home ready is a little daunting, don't try and do it all yourself. Set up a date for a working bee, ask a few friends to come over and make sure you hire a trailer because there will probably be rubbish to take away or items to donate.

Step 9. Put it in the diary

When you write it down, it will get done! Set goals and timeframes on when you want to get tasks completed. This will ensure jobs don’t drag on, and you can bring your home to market in a time frame that supports your new endeavours.

Take the first step

Selling a property can feel daunting in the beginning. The key is having a plan in place along with a trusted adviser you can call on to answer all those little questions that come up along the way. The best place to start is with a free consultation. Call us today to book yours!