Selling Tips with Select Property

At Select Property our goal is not to simply sell your house, but to help you realise the best price obtainable for your property in the shortest period of time. Our key areas include luxury and prestige properties in Mosman, Cremorne, Cremorne Point, Neutral Bay, Kirribilli and Milsons Point plus Northbridge and Castlecove and Castlecrag.

We can introduce you to practical ideas on how to successfully prepare your property for sale. These suggestions require a minimum amount of time and expense to complete and are designed to make your house stand out from the competition.

First impressions are crucial to the appeal of your property, but did you know that within 30 seconds a buyer has developed an opinion of your property? This is why establishing the right first impression is critical to achieving a successful sale.

THE FIRST IMPRESSION - The best way to make a buyer "feel at home" is to create an environment similar to that found in a display home. Obviously, you cannot recreate the feeling of a perfect display home without starting from scratch, but there are some valuable techniques to be learned. When walking into a display home you will notice several key points:

* The colours and interior decorating accent the home's features.

* The sound is either quiet or enhanced by subtle background music.

* All details are looked after, from manicuring the lawn to a floral arrangement in the entrance.

Always remember, 'You do not get a second chance at a first impression'.

APPEAL TO THE SENSES: - There are many ways to create a more exciting and saleable interior, at surprisingly little cost. We will briefly discuss the enormous impact a house can have on a prospective buyer when appealing to their senses.

LIGHT - It is proven that people react more favourably to property shown under bright light than dark. The following steps should help you keep your room as bright as possible.

- Open curtains and blinds and turn on lights prior to showing.

COLOUR - A fundamental rule when selling your house is to keep colours neutral and light. The following are specific suggestions:

- White, beige and grey are the most popular exterior colours.

- Shades of white, off-white and very light pastels are the safest choices for the interior.

- Try to limit bright colours to accessories like fresh flowers, towels, area rugs and shower curtains.

SOUND - The sounds of peace and quiet are some of the best sounds to have when your home is being shown to a prospective buyer. But there are other sound considerations of which you should be aware.

- Also avoid sounds of work like vacuums, dishwashers and lawn mowers.

- Make sure there are no sounds of mechanical problems like banging pipes or faulty appliances.

- Light classical or instrumental music can be effective in creating a pleasing atmosphere.

SMELL - Smell has more impact than you might expect. It can work for or against you.

- The smell of newness is positive. This scent can be achieved by applying a fresh coat of polyurethane to natural wood or latex paint to walls.

- The smell of cleanliness is important to the selling environment of your house. Beyond actually cleaning, lemon oil or lemon wax can create a lasting scent of freshness. Fresh flowers can be effective.

- For a real heart-warming touch, place a dish of vanilla in a warm oven to create the aroma of fresh baked biscuits or bread.

- Smells to avoid include strong pet odours, tobacco, cooking and oil or gas.

By showing attention to detail and understanding the buyer's need to visualise your house against a neutral backdrop, you can dramatically increase the saleability of your property.

OUTSIDE- Mow and water the lawn. Trim trees and plant flowers. Store all bikes, toys and equipment out of sight. Paint or touch-up the outside of the house. Put potted flowers in the front garden.

INSIDE - Get rid of unnecessary furniture. Clean closets and clear off countertops. Scrub all tile floors. Clean all carpets. Clean all windows and mirrors. Clean stains in all sinks and tubs.

FIX-IT -Fix leaky taps. Replace missing door or cabinet handles. Fix or replace broken appliances. Replace broken tiles in bathrooms or kitchen. Paint if necessary. Discuss major repairs with your agent.

FRESHEN UP - Stop smoking in the house. Bathe pets and clean out litter boxes. Empty all rubbish, recycle bins, etc. Dry-clean curtains and shampoo carpets. Use baking soda boxes in smell-prone areas. Place flowers, potpourri or air fresheners around the house.

ASK A "BUYER" - Invite a friend to walk through your home like a buyer would. Get their opinion on whether or not it's inviting, clean and well-maintained. Make any changes they suggest.

Select Property consultants will be happy to assist you with further recommendations to help your house sell for the highest price obtainable in the shortest possible time. We specialise in Luxury Sydney Homes and Properties in the Mosman, Cremorne and Neutral Bay area - now how can we help you?