The property market across the Southern Downs Region has experienced some large shifts and gains over the last few years causing some property owners to be unsure of the right time to sell their properties.
Potential sellers are wondering whether prices will continue to rise and when the best time to sell will present itself. "Should I hang on to my property for longer and try to make more gains or should I sell my property now while the market is good?" The shifts in the market have caused some angst for sellers, only trying their best to capitalise on their own investments.
In response to this, Southern Downs Realty has developed a resource for those wanting a comprehensive picture of the real estate market in our region. In this resource we illustrate 5 key areas that influenced the real estate market; People, Property, Prices, Pandemic and Potential, in an in-depth study.
Learn more about how the Southern Downs property market region fared in our '2021: Year in review and what's coming up' download.
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Mar 3, 2023
The To-Do List
Thinking about taking your property to market? The best time to start is 3-6 months before you're ready to list. If you want to maximise your property's potential sale price, there are a few simple steps that can have a significant effect on the value of your home. Watch the video below and download our checklist to help you prepare your home for market. 1/ Clean and declutter the property Unnecessary furniture Create a tidy space 2/ Enhance curb appeal First impressions Landscaping Painting fences Fixing damage 3/ Assure compliant with state regulations Smokes alarms Water efficiency standards Making houses future proof 4/ Make it feel like a home De-personalise Make it feel liveable Remove unsightly furniture 5/ Make necessary repairs Loose cupboard door hinges Ripped carpet Paint damage Buyers will assume there's more they can't see Read Video Transcript: Today we're going to talk about the five best things we can do to improve your property to get the best possible price. Here's a to-do list. Clean the clutter Step one of our to-do list is clean and declutter. It could just be a few simple things like removing a few extra chairs from the lounge room. For example with cleaning, bathrooms are a big thing. Just make sure that the mould has been removed from the showers; the shower screens are nice and clean. Decluttering. Just remove all you can from your kitchen benches. We don't want to see school notes, we don't want to see phone bills, we just want to see a nice, clean area. They’re just a couple of simple things that you can do to make your property really shine. Homely but not personal Second on our to do list, is make it homely but not personal. So, for example, definitely throw those cushions on the couch and put that throw on there as well, but also maybe just strip it back a little bit by removing a few of the family portraits and, you know, grandma's rocking chair that you’re very attached to. Maybe just remove that as well. And then people can see that it is still homely, but they can also add their personal touch to it. Repairs Third on our to do list is making necessary repairs. This could be anything from a leaking tap that needs a new washer, a light bulb that needs to be replaced or even outside - the deck needs to be sanded and re-varnished. All these things will make such a difference when it comes to selling your property. And for us to get that best price for you. First looks from the curb Fourth on our to do list is curb appeal. Curb appeal is a major thing that we need to focus on because it is the first thing that everybody sees. We need to mow those lawns, we need to weed those gardens, and we need to trim those hedges. We need to remember, first impressions really matter. Codes & Regulations Lastly, on our to do list is making sure that our property is up to state regulations. One of the biggest things we have is the smoke alarms. They need to all be integrated and they need to be put in by a licensed electrician. If the property has a pool, it needs to be certified and there needs to be a certificate given when the contract is done. At the end of the day, these small things will help you get the best possible price. So, there's your to-do list.
Dec 8, 2022
What To Look For In A Real Estate Agent To Sell Your Home
Selling your home can be an emotional & exhausting process, learn what you need to look for to choose the right agent & alleviate some of that stress. Your home is likely the most expensive asset you own, and it is completely understandable that you feel a little anxious at the prospect of selling it. Not only do you have all the emotions associated with saying goodbye (our homes are an integral part of some of our biggest life events), but you want to ensure that you get the very best price for your home in order to set you up for your next adventure, whether that be purchasing another home, investing in a business, starting a family or travelling the world. We think that it is vitally important that you feel comfortable that the sale of your home is in good hands, and to help you find the very best agent for you, we have prepared the following guide, with step-by-step instructions for finding the right real estate agent to sell your property. 1. Research potential agents It’s really hard to make a choice between agents if you don’t know who there is to pick from. So the first step is to identify potential agents in your area and gain an understanding as to how they work. A great way of doing this is to spend a couple of weeks attending open homes and observing the real estate agents who are selling the homes. Pay attention to: Was the agent on time and organised for the open home? Did the agent communicate and interact well with potential buyers? Their overall behaviour at the open Did they wait at the door and welcome everybody? Did they highlight the unique features of the property? Were they able to easily answer questions you or other prospective buyers had about the property? Did they have great marketing materials available for the property? By putting yourself in the position of the potential buyers of your property, you will be able to understand how well each agent is able to communicate with potential buyers, and gather a good understanding as to whether you would be confident and comfortable with them selling your home. 2. Narrow it down to specialists for your region Real estate agents often have a niche in which they specialise, whether that be a region (a particular town or suburb) or a property type (units vs houses vs rural properties) or a combination thereof. Agents who are regularly dealing with similar properties are likely to be able to offer you benefits that an agent who is less familiar with your property type or region are. The benefits might include: An understanding as to what buyers of properties like yours want (and the ability to speak in a way that is relevant to them) A better understanding of the market and realistic sales price for your property Access to a list of buyers who are already actively looking for properties like yours 3. Which agents are getting the results? The aim of this whole process is to sell your home, so looking at the success rate of agents you are considering is a great way to figure out whether they are likely to be able to achieve this for you, and in what time frame (remembering the longer a property stays on the market, the less likely you are to achieve the asking price). 4. Of all of the agents that you have considered, who has made you feel most comfortable? Selling your home can be an emotional, and exhausting process. Ensuring that the agent that you choose to sell your property is someone you can be open and honest with, and that you feel comfortable with will make the whole process far less taxing on your emotions.