Property Tips - Chris and Lucy

Selling Tips

Just a short list to help make your home's presence on the "Properties for Sale" list as brief as possible. If you want more information or help, call Chris and Lucy anytime.

First Impressions Count...

Go out and stand at the roadside and have a good hard look at your lovely home. This is what potential buyers will make their first and often strongest judgment on the value of your home. Is it at its best? Would a bit of hedge trimming, lawn mowing, garden weeding, water blasting or a spot of paint go amiss? First impressions last.

Cleanliness...

In the hustle and bustle of daily life we often don't pay much attention to familiar things.... potential buyers do. It's spring-cleaning time regardless of the time of year. Clean everywhere. Nothing says "I'm a damp house that's uncared for" than mould in the corners. And keep it clean for the duration of the marketing period.

Make Some Room...

Here is the No.1 Selling Tip we have. Get rid of the clutter! Whether it is rarely used toys, boxes of winter clothes or furniture you can't bring yourself to throw away, get it out. Hire a storage unit or ask family or friends if you could store some stuff at their places while you sell. A home full of stuff you have to navigate around says "tiny" to a buyer. The more room you can create while still looking homely and comfortable will scream "big", "open" and "spacious". Clear tables, benches and dressers of everything except a couple of stylish knick-knacks or ornaments.
Sort through and clear out cupboards and storage areas. It will look like you have twice the amount of storage space.

Little Jobs...

Attend to all the little things you have been meaning to get around to all that time. The broken door handle, the window that won't shut, the cracked window. That bit of peeling paint. Some buyers will see things like this as a sign of poor maintenance and start to wonder what else may be wrong that you can't see.
Not so little jobs need some thought. Is it worth repainting the ceilings, extending the deck, replacing the rotten window sill, installing an outside light? Would one coat of paint on the living area walls cover up a thousand little nicks and scuffs and make it look brand new? If in doubt ask Chris and Lucy, they will know exactly what is worth the investment of your time, energy and money and what isn't. Use their expertise.

Don't Take It Personally...

Take a moment and step into the shoes of the potential buyers. You want them to be able to imagine themselves and their family feeling right at home in your house. It's easier for someone to do that if they aren't constantly reminded everywhere they look that it isn't their home. Personal photos, kids' artwork in the living areas, certificates for coming 3rd in the discus ten years ago... slip them away out of sight. Take some of your personality out of the house so the buyer can imagine some of theirs coming in.

Buying Tips

This list just touches on a few of the key points when considering buying your home. If you want more information or help call Chris and Lucy anytime.

Finance...

It is always best to establish how much you can afford to spend on your new home. Talk to your bank. Whether it is a mortgage broker or your bank manager, make sure you do your homework before you go and see them. Banks will want to know what you currently earn and a budget of what you currently spend. They will want to know that there is enough of a difference to be able to service your loan.

What Do You Want? ... Use Your Sales Agents

You would be surprised how many people buy the first property they look at with a real estate agent. You don't always have to look at 40+ properties to find one that suits your needs... if you have already narrowed down what you need. You can save a lot of time by sitting down with your real estate agent and talking about your requirements. A good agent will listen and then may ask about some criteria that you may not have thought about. Tell them which of your criteria have some flexibility and which don't. They will then go to work for you to find what properties on the market or, in some cases, soon to be on the market may meet your needs. Chris and Lucy are real estate experts...make the most of their expertise.

Inspect Yourself...

When looking through a potential home take your time.
Pause at the gate and take in the first impression.
As you walk through the home try to imagine what it would look like with your furniture in it. Would it fit?
Sit down in the living areas and have a good look around...at everything. Ceilings, light fittings, floors, views.
Calculate where the sun will come from in winter and summer.
Walk right around the exterior of the house.
Think about what maintenance needs to be done and whether you can do it or do you need to budget to get a professional in.
Ask about proximity to local schools and bus routes.

Other Inspections...

If you are interested in a property it may be time to get some professional involved. Get a LIM from the local council. Land Information Memoranda (LIM) are comprehensive reports containing all relevant information the Council knows about a property or section. This can include what structures have or haven't been approved and signed off by the council or potential developments planned for nearby. No one wants to move in the day construction on the new motorway begins just over the fence. Get a builder in to do a proper inspection. Walk through the property with them. Ask any questions you want. They know what can be done cheaply and what may need to be budgeted. They'll know what can be easily changed and what can't.

Ask, ask, ask...

Chris and Lucy have a lot of training and experience in the residential property market. Don't be afraid to supplement these few buying tips by asking questions, lots of them. Chris and Lucy want you to buy a home you will be happy with just as much as you do.