You need to appeal to the right demographic for your property. You’re striving to generate lots of interest and get people through your door for inspections. If you get it right before putting your house up for sale, you will create a naturally competitive market which should work to bump up your sale price.

Vendor Advocates are experienced in the industry, in tune with market conditions and understand the mindset of your potential buyers. They know what people look for and the best way to achieve this in an effective, timely way. Through guidance and communication with real estate agents before you put your house on the market, and during the sales campaign, a Vendor Advocate will work consistently to help you achieve the best possible sales result.

Presentation is the key

First impressions count! Your property must appeal to someone conducting a simple internet search and make them add it to their shortlist. People often like to drive by and check out a house they are interested in, so yours better look good from the front gate! If they are still interested, they will attend an open for inspection and chat to your real estate agent. At this point every single detail of your house is open for consideration and criticism.

To maximise your sale price, every aspect of your property should be in top condition and be seen in the best possible light. The aim is to appeal to as many buyers in the marketplace as possible. Better presentation will mean more buyers attend open for inspections, which works towards a better sale result

Preparing to sell your house.

1. Walk Through

This first step is the most important. When you live in a home you become used to its foibles. The door handle that turns the wrong way, light switch that never works, slight damp patch from the time your child made a ‘waterfall’ in the sink – chances are you don’t even notice them anymore. But prospective buyers have eagle eyes and will spot these faults.

As Vendor Advocates, we walk through your home and detail all the positives and negatives. Once you have identified potential issues, you can then create a plan to address them.

Remember that, while friends and family are full of good and helpful advice, speaking to educated industry representatives will be more beneficial in the long run as they are experienced in selling a wide variety of properties and understand how buyers think. They can advise you on the top priorities for improvement, and show you where to focus to get the best return on the time and money you spend getting your property up to scratch.

2. Budget and Plan

Step two! Work out your priorities and how you will address them. Think about how much you can afford to spend on improvements? What can you do yourself? Which professional trades will you need to employ? Where can you save money? How much time can you devote to the project?

It’s important to have a clear expectation of what your property is worth so you can budget accordingly. There’s a fine balance between spending too little and spending too much.

Having said that, if you are putting money towards improvements, often the best place to start is with painting walls and replacing carpet/flooring. These have a big impact and can usually be done for minimal cost. Other areas to consider (depending on their current condition) are your kitchen and bathroom. They can be quite simple to improve and have a huge influence on a buyer’s perception of your property.

This process can be overwhelming, so it’s best to break it down and create a plan of action. We are here to guide you and help make sure you don’t over-capitalise in preparing for sale.

3. Do the Work

Depending on your property and what you want to achieve, this can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months. Be realistic; it can be tough juggling the usual demands of work and family life on top of getting your house shipshape.

Again, this comes back to time and money – DIY vs paying a professional, simple decluttering vs engaging a property stylist. Keep track of your expenses. It can be so easy to ‘blow out’ even a minor renovation.

This part of the process is a balancing act that really depends on what you are trying to achieve and what you can afford.

A simple rule is to tidy your garden, fix anything broken (inside and out), repaint in fresh, neutral tones and assess your flooring. Anything more than this can be a waste of money, depending on your property and the market conditions in your area, so it’s best to seek guidance from industry experts.

You’ll also need to maintain the high standard so be sure to schedule gardening, tidying and cleaning time prior to each open for inspection. It’s on-going hard work, but if the result is a higher sales price, then it’s well worth the time and effort.

4. Staging and Styling

Buyers are attracted to well-maintained, clean and fresh surroundings. You’re appealing to their imagination – in most cases, they want to envisage moving in and living there without having to do any work.

A quick Google search will find heaps of ideas on home staging and presentation for sale, but the simple, low-budget way to do this is to tidy-up, declutter and depersonalise as much as possible.

Ambience is the key to success. If your home looks and smells good, and the furniture is arranged to best display how each area can be used, then you’re on your way to a successful sale.

This is where a property stylist can really come in handy as they are trained in interior design and styling. But they can be expensive, so if you’re doing it yourself, think about everything. Look at every little detail, even to the point of what you’re cooking prior to open for inspections and where your pets are housed during the sales campaign. Consider when to turn on heating and cooling to maintain a consistent temperature. You’re aiming to present a home that exudes comfort and security.

And remember that your individual taste may not appeal to everyone. When a potential buyer walks up your driveway and through your front door, they want to feel connected to the property. Style your house to appeal to a wide range of buyers, no matter their (or your) personal taste.

Presentation sells houses

Every buyer is different. Their needs and wants depend on their individual circumstances and dreams for the future. So it can be difficult to know exactly what to do to create the ‘right’ environment. And you definitely need to consider the time and money you are able to invest to get your property ready for sale.

There is no question that top-notch presentation and styling will increase the value of your property. An appealing environment works to create a competitive environment from the moment it goes on the market, throughout your sales campaign, to the time your final contract is signed.

You want your potential buyers to fall in love. To picture their furniture filling the rooms and imagine hanging out with their friends on the deck. From the minute they find your property, you are working to convince them to spend their money on the promise of a lifetime of happiness. Achieving a result like this is the outcome of careful planning and preparation. Involve your Vendor Advocate early and make sure you get it right from the start.