Are you preparing to sell your property? At Harcourts, we aim to make the process of selling your home as stress-free and straightforward as possible while getting you the absolute best offer. Here you will find resources on understanding the home selling process, selling at auction, as well as a handy Seller's Checklist. We know that everyone's situation is unique, so please do not hesitate to contact us today if you have any questions about the best place to start.
Selling your home can be a stressful process, after all there’s a lot to consider. We want to make sure that you’re well informed of the selling process and know what to expect every step of the way.
When it comes to selling your home, one of your most valuable assets, it makes sense to take the time to choose a qualified and knowledgeable sales consultant who has the right tools and strategies at their disposal.
When speaking with a sales consultant don’t be afraid to ask questions to make sure you trust your consultant and to make sure you’re confident they have the experience to sell your home quickly and for the best price.
Some of the important things to consider are:
When preparing your home for sale, what are some of the top tips for attracting more potential buyers and higher offers?
The most difficult task for most sellers is determining the value of their home. Many different elements can combine to create unrealistic expectations. The best method is to study the current real estate market facts and figures. Your Harcourts sales consultant will show you comparisons of other similar homes in your area - those which have sold, those which have yet to sell and those which will represent your competition. Quite simply, the current property market determines the value of your home.
There are typically four methods of sale that you can choose to sell your home. These are:
Once you have chosen your method of sale, and gone through the marketing process with your sales consultant, the next step may be to consider an offer from a potential buyer.
At Harcourts, our commitment to you is to bring you each offer formally in writing. We will do this by providing interested buyers with a contract, and will give both you and the potential buyer the opportunity to add conditions when negotiating the sale of your property.
Common conditions of sale are subject to:
Once an offer has been accepted and all parties have signed the contract, the purchaser will be asked to pay a deposit. This usually equates to 10% of the purchase price. This is not a prescriptive practice only an advised one.
Settlement generally takes place between you and the purchaser and your legal/financial representatives. As the seller, you would have set the settlement date within the contract of sale. Settlement usually occurs 30-90 days after the contract has been signed, depending on what has been agreed upon.
Possession of the property usually takes place on the settlement day although you and the buyer can agree for these dates to be different.
When selling your property, there are quite a few different modes of sale you can opt for. However selling your home through auction has many benefits, such as:
Auctioning your property is about so much more than simply showing up on auction day. There’s a lot that goes into it beforehand to ensure you achieve the best result possible for your property. Marketing your property well is chief among the things you’ll need to do.
Your sales consultant should walk you through your marketing plan in detail, from the images that’ll be selected and advertised, the copy that will be included, to where the property will be advertised (online, papers, brochures, in office, etc.)
If you’re in the country, the best recommendation is to attend your auction. It’s great to have you there if there are any last minute questions.
Your auctioneer will also want to confer with you depending on how the auction is going. If bidding stops below your reserve price for example, your auctioneer will want to discuss next steps with you.
It’s important for you to understand and be clear on what your reserve price is, and how it’s used during the auction.
There are three types of figures to consider before the day:
There can be a lot to consider when selling your home, but there are benefits to listing your home for sale. From freeing up equity, to up or down-sizing and improving your lifestyle. Here we’ve compiled a handy house seller’s checklist to help you navigate through the selling process.
The first step to selling your home is to engage the right sales consultant for you who is going to achieve the best result possible for your property. Take a look at Understanding the Selling Process for some key questions to ask potential sales consultants.
The next step to prepare your home for sale. This means it’s time to make sure the home is neat and tidy, and free of clutter. It’s also a good time to make any necessary repairs on the home that could detract from the sales price. You may also like to have your home professionally styled for open homes, so that potential buyers can see exactly what can be done with the space.
The most difficult task for most sellers is determining the value of their home. This is where your sales consultant can really add value for you. Sales consultant are armed with local knowledge, as well as market data and sales history which can help you to determine the best price for your home.
The three typical methods of sale are:
Your Harcourts sales consultant will prepare a personal marketing plan tailored to your specific needs. Marketing your home for sale forms part of Our Promise, a written assurance that we will strive to deliver the best result possible for your property.
At Harcourts, our commitment to you is to bring you each offer formally in writing. We will do this by providing interested buyers with a contract, and will give both you and the potential buyer the opportunity to add conditions when negotiating the sale of your property.
Settlement generally takes place between you and the purchaser and your legal/financial representatives. Officially, it’s where ownership passes from you to the purchaser, and the balance of the sale price is paid to you or your financial institution. Settlement then usually occurs 30-90 days after the contract has been signed, depending on what has been agreed upon.
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While the proud legacy of Harcourts goes back over a century, our focus is firmly on the future and continuing to offer our clients the highest levels of personal and professional service while achieving the best possible results. Contact us today!