Spring 2021 is going to be an interesting selling season. With Sydney in lockdown for only the 2nd time since the pandemic began, it is still a bit of an unknown as to exactly how the market is going to be affected – if at all!
At the moment, properties are still selling well and although there may be less buyers per property, the quality of those out looking could not be better. With open homes and in person auctions currently not permitted, only the most genuine and qualified buyers are out in the market which means less time wasters and sticky beaks. It’s a great time to sell if you’re not keen on all the neighbours coming to visit!
Once the lock down is lifted and if last year is anything to go by, we can expect an influx of buyers back into the market. Spring is the time we usually experience an increase in properties for sale and this year is expected to be no different.
If you’re planning to sell your home this Spring, now is the perfect time to start preparing. With the city in lockdown and the majority of us stuck at home, it’s an ideal time to take stock of all those little things around the home that you may have been putting off.
When I sold my own home a few months ago, we finally fixed all those items on our to do list from 6 years ago when we first moved in! So don’t feel bad….., it happens to all of us!
Here’s our top 7 tips to help you get started:
1. An Early Spring Clean – Start inside your wardrobes and throw out all those clothes that either no longer fit, are outdated, or you haven’t worn for the last 12 months. It’s amazing how much lighter and more organised you will feel once you’ve done this. They key is to take it slow and do one room per day if the thought overwhelms you. Donate any clothes to charity, sell on eBay/marketplace or give away to those in need. You’ll be thankful you did this now instead of waiting until after the sale to start. A top to bottom clean is a great way to prepare your home for sale.
2. Lawns/Gardens – Everything grows more slowly in winter so now is a good time to get on top of all those weeds that have been popping up. Tidying the garden now including removal of any dead plants and palm fronds will give you a head start. It won’t be such a big job if you get on top of it now before spring kicks in. Once the weather starts to warm up, fill any gaps in the garden with some new plants from the local flower shop. Just before the photo shoot, a layer of mulch will add some colour and make the garden look like new. It’s also a good time to mow the lawn to ensure the outdoor photos look their best.
3. Repairs & Maintenance – Dripping taps, flaky paint, and cracked tiles gives the impression the property is not well maintained and buyers will be extra cautious. Another concern for buyers is the condition of the roof so it’s a good idea to have the gutters cleaned and roof inspected for any repairs such as broken tiles. These days, not many buyers will proceed without doing a pest and building inspection so it’s worthwhile fixing anything in advance that could potentially show up on a report. Inside, if the carpet looks a little dull, a good steam clean usually does the trick. However if they’re quite worn, investing in some new carpets or wood flooring is always money well spent.
4. Declutter – This is one of the most important aspects of preparing your home for sale. Pack away any personal items from display, especially jewellery and family photographs. Ask yourself whether it will be easy for groups of people to navigate their way through your home. Too much furniture can cause a room to feel small so work out which items you need to keep as a minimum and either store or dispose of the rest. Less = more when it comes to a successful sale.
5. Windows – Get some quotes now for window cleaning in readiness. I’d even recommend booking in a date because once this pandemic is over you can bet all trades are going to be in high demand. Sparkling clean windows are a great way to allow maximum sunlight into your home and will also give the impression the home is well maintained, an important consideration for most buyers. Removal of any mildew and cobwebs that have built up over the Winter months can also be done at the same time.
6. Final Touches – When you are ready for the first open home, some fresh colourful flowers strategically placed will accentuate that Spring feel. Combined with some light music and scented candles, visitors to your home will experience a positive vibe and the ability to imagine themselves living there. When buyers become emotionally attached to a property, you can expect them to pay a little bit more to secure their new home.
7. Speak to a Vendor Advocate – Before you start preparing for a Spring sale it’s worthwhile speaking to us for some other ideas on how to maximise your sale price. This advice is free of charge so you have nothing to lose! We can even share with you our tips on how to choose the best real estate agent to handle the sale.
Not sure what improvements you should make to your home? Book in a strategy call with us today.
If you’d like to learn more about our Vendor Advocate service for selling your home, CLICK HERE.
