Five things your agent wants you to know before you sell

Having sold hundreds of properties in the Rockhampton area, our team is highly familiar with the process to prepare a place, list it for sale and get the best results.

Because we live and breathe local property, we often have to remind ourselves that the selling experience is not something our clients are familiar with. 

If you’re thinking of selling, it’s our job to guide you through the process so you feel confident and comfortable. However, these are five things we’d love you to know in advance. 

1. Change is usually the best choice

Selling your home can be a difficult decision and we sometimes find clients are hesitant to bite the bullet and go ahead with a sale. Some people talk about selling for years before they pick up the phone but at the end of the process, they always say the same thing, “We wish we had done this sooner!”

If you’re on the fence about selling, consider the results of a recent study, which showed that going with change is generally the more satisfying thing. The head of the study, University of Chicago economist Steven Levitt, told CNBC a “Good rule of thumb in decision-making is, whenever you cannot decide what you should do, choose the action that represents a change, rather than continuing the status quo.” 

The study concluded that people are more satisfied with a decision when they chose to go with something different. So don’t procrastinate… if moving is on your mind, go for it!

With that being said, if you want to have a positive experience, you need the right help. Find a trusted and highly recommended local real estate agent to make the process easier. 

2. House value depends on so many factors

We have a lot of clients who get a ‘bbq valuation’ of their home from friends and neighbours, or by looking at a few local sales results. They come to us with a figure in their mind but it’s not always the right one. 

The truth is that value of your property depends on a number of factors, including:

• Location
• Size
• State of repair
• Demand
• Aspect
• Layout
• Current market activity

Prices can even vary for similar homes on different streets due to outlook or noise levels.  

Wondering what your Rockhampton home is worth? Reach out to our team for an appraisal based on the latest sales data for your suburb. 

3. We are here for you (but we need your help)

It takes teamwork to sell a home.

While your agent will do a huge amount of work for you, including marketing your home and connecting you with cleaners and other useful service providers, we still need your input so that everything can happen as seamlessly as possible.

The more groundwork you put in before buyers arrive, the better your results will be. Selling a home is a big undertaking so be prepared to take some time to focus on getting your place ready. There will be a few days or even weeks that are a flurry of activity in terms of cleaning, tidying, dealing with tradespeople and liaising with your agent on the phone. 

4. Presentation matters

Presenting your home correctly is a significant factor in getting the highest possible price.

Put yourself in your buyer’s shoes before home open day. What will impress them? What will make them hesitate or drop their offer? Take a look around with a critical eye and try to eliminate as many of your buyer’s potential objections as possible. 

Your agent will work with you to make sure your home looks its best and has done this many times before, so follow their advice.

5. First offers are often the best offers

Waiting for a better price can be a dangerous move when you’re selling.

The majority of buyers act fast when they are serious about making a purchase. This means that early offers are often the best one. Buyers who are keen on your home are likely to have been looking for some time. They will put in an offer quickly to ensure they get ahead of the competition. The next round of buyers will be hanging back waiting to see if they can negotiate and put in a lower offer. 

These days, Rockhampton properties are usually selling after two or three open homes. If you’re knocking back offers that come in at this stage, you may need to hit the pause button and make some upgrades to the place so it is even more appealing to buyers with healthy budgets. 

Your agent is your guide in these circumstances; we will let you know if an offer is fair and if we believe there may be a higher figure on the horizon. Rest assured that while your home is on the market we are doing everything we possibly can to reach out to buyers and invite them to view your property. We will also never encourage you to take an offer that’s a long way below market value. 

We’ve been there and done that!

The team at The Agency CQ has been selling houses in the area for many years. There’s not a lot that we haven’t seen and there aren’t many questions we can’t answer. We look forward to working with you and helping you achieve a final result you are 100% happy with. 

Ready to sell Rockhampton? Contact us today.