So, you’ve decided it’s time to sell your home and move on to something new but, as a first-time seller, you’re not entirely sure where to start and what to do. It’s a very common situation, and of our agents at the Rawson Property Group are often asked to advise on. Rest assured that with the right preparation and the right team behind you, a successful sale is easier than you might think.
“The first thing to do,” says Bill Rawson, Chairman of the Rawson Property Group, “is to approach a qualified real estate agent with experience in your area to conduct a market-related valuation on your property.” Rawson stresses the importance of this stage, as it not only gives you, the seller, a realistic idea of the value of your home, but can also be an opportunity to assess ways to improve that value and the saleability of your property.
“Many people choose to have a selection of agents value their property,” says Rawson, “but don’t be too surprised if their numbers don’t all line up. Training and experience levels can greatly affect the accuracy of a valuation, which is why it’s imperative that you select an agent who has an active presence in your area as well as access to the kind of information and training that we provide at the Rawson Property Group.”
Rawson cautions against assuming that the agent with the highest valuation of your property will achieve the highest sale price. In fact, as he reveals, the reverse can often be true. “It’s been proven time and again that over-pricing a property can be detrimental to a sale,” he says. “Overpriced listings stagnate, and buyers become very wary of a property that’s been on the market too long.”
His advice is to rather select an agent that you can trust to have your best interests at heart, whether that’s someone recommended to you by a friend, or someone with an excellent track record in your area. “Selling a home can be an emotional process, but you can’t allow those emotions to cloud your judgement, so you need to be able to trust your agent to be honest with you about all aspects of your property and its sale,” he says.
For those tossing up the idea of using multiple agents to sell their home, Rawson’s advice is to rather stick to a sole mandate for the best results. “Agents will always prioritise a sole mandate over an open mandate, as they are guaranteed the sale. There is also no incentive to encourage buyers to accept low-ball offers simply to beat their competition to the finish line.”
Once you’ve selected an agent, it’s a good idea to sit down with them and discuss any ways you can improve your home’s appearances before you list it. These can be as simple as neatening up your garden, fixing a few broken fixtures or putting on a fresh coat of paint, but can also include minor renovation suggestions that could add significantly to your home’s value.
“It’s difficult to be objective about your own home, so having your agent cast a fresh eye over things and make suggestions can be very beneficial,” says Rawson. “It doesn’t have to be an expensive preparation process – simply decluttering and depersonalising before show days can help to maximise your property’s appeal without breaking the bank.”
With your home looking its best, there is little more for you to do other than sit back, relax, and let your agent do their job. If your property is listed at the right price and properly marketed, a successful sale should be just around the corner.
For more advice on selling your home, or to arrange a free market-related property valuation, contact a Rawson Property Group franchise in your area. Our neighbourhood experts are ready and waiting to help.
For further information visit www.rawson.co.za
