If you are in the process of deciding to put your home on the market, you will no doubt be wondering what the changing interest rates and inflation mean for your home sale. Here are some common questions we are hearing right now. Please get in touch if you have more.
Can I sell my house now for a good price?
Yes. Homes continue to go on the market, and it is important to keep in mind that if you are buying and selling simultaneously in comparable market conditions, the state of the market is almost irrelevant. It is also important to remember that, unless you bought within the last 12 to 18 months, your property will still be significantly more valuable than when you originally purchased it.
Tougher times weed out the real estate agents who don’t have the negotiation skills to achieve the price that’s right for both a home seller and a buyer. So, as long as you are selecting an experienced real estate agent who has navigated complete property cycles, you should still be able to achieve the best price in any market for your property.
Is now a good time to prepare my home for sale?
Absolutely. Getting your home ready for sale can be a surprisingly lengthy process, from decluttering and donating to cleaning, repainting and carrying out minor renovations. Even if you aren’t quite ready to sell yet, the earlier you start, the easier it will be for you when the time comes.
Make a list of what work needs to be done and if you can do it yourself or if you’ll need to have it done professionally. Start going through your belongings and sort out what you want to keep and what you will get rid of. Once you have decided to sell, you can put your plan into place.
By preparing thoroughly for your home sale, you can look forward to a smoother, less stressful selling period and, ultimately, a better result.
Should I style my home?
Most people these days start their property searches online, so firstly, your home needs to stand out in the online listing, and great pictures are a key element of this. The better your property looks in the photographs the more chance that a buyer will make an emotional connection with it and come along to an inspection. Styling your property, either yourself or having a professional do it, can make a massive difference in how it presents itself.
By strategically selecting the items in your home and where they are placed, you can show your home’s personality and have it seen in the best possible light. Careful curation will make your home feel more spacious and illustrate to the buyers what their life could feel like if they lived there. With styling and professional real estate photography, you can add thousands to the value of your home.
How do buyers inspect a property?
Buyers will initially inspect your property in the online listings. It’s for this reason that we need excellent photography that highlights the home’s best features. A proper floor plan with all measurements included is also helpful as this enables buyers to do a mental walk-through. And if we believe it will help a sale, we may suggest that you also do a walk-through video or virtual tour. After reviewing these online, a buyer will ascertain whether or not they think your property is worth inspecting in person.
If a buyer does decide from the online listing that your home may suit them, they will come along to an open house or book a private inspection to view it. At the inspection, they usually walk through each room, looking for the attributes that are important to them and ask any questions they may have about it. After attending an inspection, they may return to the online listing to review the photos, floorplan and video in more detail.
Should I sell my home at auction in 2025?
While auctions can generate excitement around a property, our experience shows that good private treaty negotiation generally leads to better outcomes for our vendors. In today’s market, which is not as “hot” as it was in 2021 to the mid 2022 peak, the focus should be on strategic pricing and personalised marketing strategies that resonate with potential buyers. This approach can maximise your sale price without the uncertainties that can accompany auction.
If you are selling a deceased estate, we recognise that auctions can offer a transparent sale process. However, we understand that auctions are better suited to major centres than regional areas, and we have helped many past clients in this situation achieve a fantastic outcome through private treaty. It provides greater control and flexibility, allowing sellers to engage with buyers more effectively and negotiate terms that suit vendors needs. If you would like to know more about how we achieve optimal results through private treaty sales, we invite you to reach out for a discussion.
Are people still buying homes?
Yes. People will always need to put their homes on the market, and with interest rates still historically low (although not as low as they were for so many years), it’s a great time to buy.
There are many reasons why people need to move homes. These include separation, divorce, and being closer to family or for work reasons. Some might be looking for a sea or tree change, be downsizing to save money or be moving for work or study. So, as you can see, there remain plenty of reasons why people continue to buy and sell property.
Listings are increasing after a short-term dip while sellers wait to see how the market will pan out. While more listings mean your property faces more competition, we can help your property stand out from the rest with strategic marketing.
Can I rent my property? How do you find tenants?
Yes. We can list your property for rent and start taking calls and managing viewings much in the same way as we described selling a home above. We have a database of pre-screened tenants, and when we show your home, it’s generally one-on-one with a property manager.
Can we help with your property for sale or lease?
Please feel free to call us with any questions. We’re here to help.
