Selling Advice
Using the right agent and preparing your property will ensure you get the maximum price for your property. When you partner with us your Cunninghams Property agent will advise you in detail, the best way you can improve the sales opportunity of your property, affordably and easily. A brief outline follows, covering:
Timing
When you sell your property can have a big impact on the final price. Consider your property’s greatest assets: Are they best presented in winter or summer, morning or afternoon? In the past the natural inclination was to showcase your home in the warmer months, but these days with the constant shortage of property on the market all year we have found that from mid January to mid December the market is always strong.
All these factors and others, including your personal circumstances and the state of the market, are taken into consideration and weighed against years of experience when your Cunninghams agent advises the best time to sell your house
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Methods of Sale
Should you sell your house through private treaty, which allows buyers time to discover and commit to buying, or take it to auction? An auction sets a time limit and if your property is hotly contested, will push the price up. It also puts negotiations into the public domain and buyers on the spot but for the right property it can produce the best possible.
A popular third option for most properties is ‘sale by negotiation’. This allows you to put a base price and negotiate up to get the right result. Multiple buyer activity can often drive a simliar result to auction. Which to choose is a question best answered by your Cunninghams sales specialist who has the local expertise and industry knowledge to advise you the smartest move for your property.
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Presentation
Simple touches can make a significant difference to your property’s saleability. Potential buyers are imagining a future here and need a clean surface to place their dreams upon.
De-cluttering and thoroughly cleaning – inside and out – is the first step. Some corners may require more effort: fix that swinging gate, squeaky door and flaking paint. Buyers can be turned off by offensive odours or signs of the following so remove all traces before inspections: pets, damp, sewerage, cigarettes, stains, water damage, flaking or peeling paint/wallpaper and clutter.
Once your house appears in good condition, final decorative touches can really lift your home. Finishing can include hiring furniture to decorate an empty property, adding fences around permitters and pools to increase child safety, or be as simple as a bowl of fruit or fresh vase of flowers. Cunninghams will supply a stylist and list of trades if you require assistance.
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Marketing Campaign
Once you have decided on the timing/process and your house is looking its best, it’s time to put your property on the market. The breadth and quality of your marketing campaign is what notifies and attracts buyers. Directed by our dedicated marketing manager and overseen by your agent, we use professional photography, copywriting, design and print services to ensure your ads stand out from the crowd. Our tiered system based on budget, delivers exceptional results.
Ads are run across a number of publications including the Internet capturing a wide and diverse buyer base. You also receive the advantage of Cunninghams’ outstanding database of local and overseas buyers which may grant you a sale without any further marketing requirements – saving you thousands of dollars.
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Open House
During your ‘open for inspection’ it is best to make yourself and any pets scarce. This allows potential buyers the freedom to explore in detail and ask potentially challenging questions to the agent. Our agents will give you all the details after the viewing so you won’t miss out on anything by not being there. We call your open home "showtime" because that's when we must be at our best. You have made the effort to "showcase" your home and now it's up to us to make the most of it. A Cunningham's open home is very different to the way most agents conduct their showing so come along and check us out.
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Contract of Sale
Have your solicitor prepare a contract of sale. In NSW you must make the contract available before the property can be offered for sale.
A property sale contract may require a recent survey (indicating land size, buildings and any access rights). If the property is currently leased, advise your solicitor of the expiry dates and conditions. You must also note inclusions – standard items are light fittings, floor coverings and window dressings.
Additionally useful attachments could include “all clear” pest and building reports and building certificates from council approving any building works you have undertaken. Owner builders note also that you will require Warranty Insurance if selling within 7 years of completion.
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Appointing an Agent
Whilst it is not mandatory to have an agent manage your sale, they will offer insights based on many years experience. Their negotiation skills can also make a big difference to your final result. They may also provide additional services to improve your success and make the process smooth and enjoyable including styling, marketing and even financial services.
Research your local agents and find one who can deliver the results you are looking for. Preparing and selling your property can be a harrowing experience so chose someone you trust who will take the hard work out of it for you. Road-test us by coming to one of our open homes.
If you are considering Cunninghams Property, the following may be helpful:
> our free booklet outlining our approach - Download PDF Copy - Request Copy Via Post
> a free market appraisal from our property consulants
> our ten points of difference – why we stand out from the crowd.
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