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| A Few Guidelines for Sellers |
To get the best price possible in the shortest time, it is well worth investing a little time and perhaps a little money in getting your property looking its best.
We've also included a few tips for sale preparation and inspections...
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| Begin at the Street |
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From the first glimpse, a prospective buyer will be assessing your property. • Repair fences and gates. Edge and sweep pathways • Tidy and weed the gardens, mow lawns and trim hedges • See to any external features requiring maintenance, including painting • Wash the outside of the house and clean out the guttering
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| First Impressions Count |
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Consider using an air freshener or mild essential oil. Fresh flowers around the home, soft music paying and a fire lit on a cold day will add to the overall feel of your home.
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• Clean everything! Polish everything! • Get rid of all clutter. It can make rooms look smaller and suggests lack of storage. Take the opportunity to throw out junk and remove rubbish including items in storage areas. • The brighter your home the better. Open curtains and blinds, leave lights on (even during the day). Clean the windows and window sills. • Get rid of any signs of damp. This includes visible signs of mould in bathrooms, on ceilings and also musty smells. • Eliminate odour of any kind. Cigarette or animal smells can be a deterrent to prospective buyers. Use room deodoriser.
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| Room by Room |
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• Entrance area. Make sure it is welcoming and appears as spacious as possible. Remove shoes and coats. Perhaps buy a new doormat. • Bathroom. Put away all products, remove wet towels and dry the bath, shower and floor after use. Fix leaky taps. • Kitchen. Remove all grease. Keep the benches clear to increase the appearance of bench space. Tidy cupboards. • Bedrooms. Make the beds. Tidy wardrobes - people may open these to see how large they are. Have minimal items on display. • Living areas. Put away personal items, piles of books and magazines. Pick up any children's toys. Remove excess furniture.
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| Sale Preparation |
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• Obtaining a building inspection report is not mandatory, however this will alert you to any repair work that may be required prior to sale. A 100% all clear report can be a great selling feature. • Make note of all items that will be included in the purchase price and remain at the property after completion, i.e. light fittings, floor coverings, curtains and blinds. • All items to be excluded from the sale are to be noted on the contract for sale. • A Contract for Sale should be discussed with your sales consultant noting all essential terms and conditions. • If there is a current lease, check the expiry date and termination requirements and advise your solicitor. • A certificate of Compliance should be obtained from local council if you have recently undertaken major building works.
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| During Inspections |
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The longer a prospective buyer is at your property the better. • Whenever possible, try not to be present during inspections, the buyer may feel intrusive and rush the inspection. • Secure pets during inspections.
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