When selling your home it should happen with the least disruption to your home and family life and within a specific time frame.Familiarize yourself with the property market. Compare houses with similar features to yours and find out the actual prices that those properties sold for and not necessarily what prices homes are for Sale For. Remember that prices are determined by supply and demand. Over valuations of what the property is worth could lead to an extremely stressful situation when the property does not sell over an extended period. On the other hand, a very low valuation could give buyers the impression that you are a desperate seller. The estate agent
you choose will assist you with this so that your expectations will be market related and realistic.

THE ESTATE AGENT

The first vital step towards selling your home is choosing the correct estate agent. Choose a reputable, experienced agent with a proven track record and who knows the area personally - boundaries, zonings, amenities, schools, hospitals and future developments. Ask your Estate Agent for a list of recent sales that they have concluded. A local Agent with a proven track record, backed up by a good company infrastructure, will undoubtedly offer you the best advice. Once you have decided on an Estate agent, you become a team. Now it is time to put your plan into action and give your property the responsible exposure it deserves.Put up a For Sale board and schedule showhouses. More than one For Sale board gives the impression that the property is not saleable.

MARKETING YOUR HOME

First impressions NB

It is not advisable to carry out any unnecessary renovations or go to the expense of decorating as you will not necessarily recover your costs. However, it is important to do the essentials as FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT. Buyers often locate a house from a photograph which they have seen in the newspaper or from a For Sale board in front of your house.When driving past the house they get an impression of the interior from the outside. If your home does not look welcoming, they wont even bother to look inside.

1) Do all the little repair jobs that you never got around to doing e.g.. leaking taps, loose tiles and guttering, creaking doors, window latches. Repair any cracks in the plaster or paint.

2) If you have a problem with rising damp or a leaking roof, have it seen to.

3) Repaint areas which look a little drab. Choose neutral colours.

4) Wash down any dirty walls which have not been painted.

5) All mirrors and windows should be cleaned.

6) Have your carpets steam cleaned and make sure other areas are gleaming.

7) Rearrange the furniture to create an impression of more space.

8) Tidy the garden. It is worth going to the expense of a few shrubs or flowers which will liven up the garden. If your lawn is brown,start watering regularly. Mow and trim the edges. Don't leave anything lying around which could give the garden a cluttered appearance. *Tidy the garage to make it look as big as possible. Remove grease stains with a suitable chemical.

9) Sweep the driveway.

10) Clean the pool and patio area.

11) Hold a garage sale for any unwanted items or give them to charity. Your property on show

12) Be clear as to which items in the house and garden are fixtures.

13) Create a homely atmosphere by putting out magazines and vases of fresh flowers throughout the house.Have some soft background music on.

14) Tidy all cupboards and remove keys from locked cupboards if you would prefer that no one see their contents.

15) Lock up any valuables. * In summer, open as many windows as possible and in winter, use some form of heating, if necessary.

16) Open all the curtains to let in as much light as possible. Dark rooms are depressing. In the evening, close the curtains and switch on all the lights.

17) Pay special attention to the bathrooms. Leave the toilet seats down and put out fresh towels.

18) Your kitchen should be bright and sparkling. Don't leave anything on the stove.

19) Eliminate odours, but do not use air fresheners because this gives the impression that you are trying to mask smells.

20) Keep your rates and taxes, water and electricity bills handy.

21) If you were intending to do any extensions or alterations and have had these plans drawn and approved, make them available to the agent.

22) Keep dogs out of the way and ensure that your garden is free of "doggy poo".

23) Keep in the background and let the agent do the talking. Be prepared to answer any questions openly and honestly. Comment only when asked to.

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