Steps To Take In Selling Your Own Home
Does the thought of selling your house without an agent’s help scare you? If you’ve never done it before, that’s understandable – have a look at this “how to” guide with some straightforward steps to help you through the process.
Decide …
Think carefully before you make the decision to move on. Don’t rush into it; if you have doubts a “for and against” list can help you decide what’s right for you, or ask family or friends for their opinions.
Prepare your property …
Before you price your property, look at what you can do to maximize its value. A general clean up is essential - a tidy interior and neat exterior will give your home a cared-for look at little cost. Painting walls that need it probably won’t cost as much as you think!
Value …
Find out the value of your property. Learning what similar properties are selling for is a good place to start. A registered valuation is a great idea – valuers charge only a fraction of your overall sale price and the valuation will be a useful sales tool, and will give you confidence that you know what your home is worth.
Talk to your lawyer …
It’s part of your lawyer’s job to give you peace of mind throughout the sale process. As well as preparing the sale-and-purchase document for you to give to prospective buyers, your lawyer can also find and provide you with up-to-date information on your property, like the title or the land information memorandum. You can do much of this work yourself, but your lawyer’s involvement will reassure prospective buyers. Of course your lawyer can also answer questions about any legal aspect of the sale or the documents involved.
Advertise …
How do you get people to look at your property? Advertise. Use an eye-catching sign. Hold regular Open Homes.
Advertise with enthusiasm!
Having several people excited about your house all at the same time means that you get the price that you should. Only having the occasional interested person gives them the advantage!
Your marketing should be intensive. If you feel uncomfortable showing people through your house, have a friend help.
Don’t be half hearted, don’t rely on luck!
A well-presented information leaflet or brochure is essential to give to people who look at your home. It needs to list all the vital statistics about your unique property – including special features that may not be obvious straight away.
Keep a register of names, addresses and phone numbers of everyone who visits – this is vital so you can follow up potential buyers and quickly find out who’s really interested. It’s also helpful for security.
When interest is shown …
When someone shows interest, ask him or her to take a copy of the sale-and-purchase agreement, or at least one of your brochures. Phone them the next day to make sure they have the information they need. If serious negotiations begin, you can pass them on to your lawyer at any stage, and it protects both parties if a lawyer checks the document before either party signs. But remember … until your house is sold, keep marketing it intensively! Even the most promising-looking offers can fall through, so don’t stop promoting your property until it’s sold.
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