Sold & Settled by Christmas
Have you noticed the Christmas merch in the shops? It still comes as a surprise when you hear how many sleeps ‘til Christmas though, doesn’t it?
If you want to move and settle before Christmas – is it too late? Don’t panic. Spring is here, but the good news is, you haven’t missed the boat! However, over the next few months, your property will be at its prime, so if you’re thinking of selling, you may want to start taking action.
“When should we start planning?”
We often hear the words “We’re going to sell soon” or “We would like to make a move before the end of the year.” The truth is, if you’re thinking the same then you may want to start angling for an early to mid-November sale – leaving approximately 30 days for a settlement to meet the Christmas deadline. In saying that, timing your sale all depends on the local market and how it’s performing, so now is a great time to start researching your immediate area, and bring in an agent to give you a market appraisal.
When it comes to how you should sell, there’s a number of different options. Two of which are the most popular being Auctions and Private Sales. Auction campaigns generally run for 3-4 weeks, with private sales anywhere from 3 days to more than 60 days depending on the level of interest in specific areas. It’s best to speak with your agent to gauge their professional opinion on what method would be best for your home and your needs.
“Is it worth updating my home?”
The short answer? Yes, but please don’t jump in and start knocking down walls! The trick is to stay away from major structural updates as this can always be a risk when looking to sell. More often than not, making minor cosmetic changes can have the most significant effect on buyers. A coat of paint, some new floor coverings or even some new houseplants may also do the trick if your home is looking a little tired. You want to impress, but not overwhelm your buyers – so minor adjustments and de-cluttering can boost the interest levels.
Styling a home professionally may scare a lot of homeowners off, but it’s the number one recommended option for giving your home a facelift it needs to grab buyers’ attention. Purchasers are more often than not drawn to your property through the first three images on your online listing. If your photographs don’t portray an excellent first impression, then you’re not giving yourself the best chance. You want to engage their eye, and modern, clean-lined styling can offer a blank canvas or an enviable lifestyle that your potential purchaser will want to buy into. It can prove well worth the investment to reduce days on market and increase the price at the time of sale.
“So, what’s next?”
It’s a daunting decision to make, but if you want to move into a new home before Santa delivers the gifts, then you need to make a start now. Start from the beginning and engage a RealWay agent to assist you with your queries. An updated market appraisal will give you an educated understanding of where your home currently stands compared with others on the market. Your agent will also be able to assist you with what you may need to do around the house to maximise your selling value – meaning you can start making it happen!
Even if you’re not thinking of selling, many property owners often ask our team ‘What’s my property worth?’ to stay abreast of the market. Take advantage of a complimentary report for your property today. Who knows what your pot of gold might be worth; you might be pleasantly surprised!
