How To Prepare For An Autumn Home Sale

Once the summer months are out of the way and the year is in full swing, people often start to take their property-buying plans for the year a bit more seriously. Because of this, autumn is a busy time for home sales. 

If you’re ready to sell in Rockhampton or elsewhere on the Capricorn Coast, there is still time to prepare your place so it has maximum appeal to buyers. 

Take a look at this checklist to be sale-ready: 

Step 1: Know your goals

Be clear about why you want to sell and what your next steps will be. This will help inform your decisions. 

Step 2: Have a look at what similar homes are selling for

Your agent will give you an estimate, but it helps to see other properties in your Rockhampton neighbourhood for yourself. Spend some time online and attend some open homes. This will give you an idea of what works and how other sellers could be doing better.

Step 3: Reach out to a Rockhampton real estate agent

You need a local agent who can share detailed information about your suburb’s most recent property sales, explain what people are looking for and give you a realistic price range to aim for. 

Before you sign a contract, take a walk around the property with your agent so they can  provide a detailed valuation. Explain what you love about the home and be honest about where it needs some attention (every home has its issues). 

Your agent will discuss options such as the method of sale, the type of marketing you should consider and the price they think will meet market expectations. Don’t be afraid to ask exactly why they have reached their valuation and what you could do to ensure a higher sale figure. 

Step 4: Arrange a building inspection

Most buyers book a professional building inspection before they commit to buying a home because they don’t want to come across any unexpected surprises. 

When you have an inspection of your own, you will be aware of any hidden issues that could affect the final sale price of your home. Having all the information will help you decide whether to fix the problem or be prepared to reduce your price accordingly. 

Your Rockhampton real estate agent can help you arrange this and chat with you about the results. 

Step 5: Start decluttering and cleaning

Potential buyers need to walk into your home and be able to see themselves living in it. If a home is too cluttered with your belongings, it can make it hard for buyers to do this. 

You need your place to be clean and tidy if you want more than one buyer to make a strong offer. If you’re aiming for the higher end of the market, you may work with your agent to stage your home so it looks like it belongs in the pages of a magazine. Otherwise, it’s all about cleaning, tidying and creating spaces that people can immediately picture themselves moving into. 

Step 6: Look for easy wins in terms of repairs and upgrades

A recent article highlighted how homes down in Brisbane are selling quickly if they are ‘move in ready’ because buyers don’t want to deal with the costs and delays involved with a renovation project.  

While the Rockhampton market is obviously different from Brisbane, issues with labour and construction supplies still apply. If you can find the easy wins when it comes to repairs and upgrades, and work with your agent to find a tradesperson to help you, you will put your property ahead of the competition. 

You may struggle to find people willing to pay a good price for a fixer-upper right now so the better condition your home is in, the faster your sale is likely to be. 

DIY home improvement jobs that don’t cost the earth include: 

A fresh coat of paint

New cabinet doors

Pressure hose the front of your home

Replace fixtures like taps, shower heads, and door knobs

Add a spray-on backsplash

Use peel and stick flooring

This is also a good time to talk to your Rockhampton real estate agent to find out if they have local contacts in the construction industry who can help you get on top of your to-do list. 

Step 7: Optimise your garden and outdoor areas

Don’t forget about your backyard when you prepare to sell. 

Clear out weeds, add pavers if necessary, lay out fresh turf and spruce up your bbq area. Fix your clothesline if it has seen better days and add some greenery to enhance appeal. 

Make sure it is easy for people to get from the driveway to the main entry points of the house and have a house number that can be seen from the street so buyers don’t get lost when they show up for inspections.

Once your home is ready for sale, you can work with your agent to prepare your marketing plan, host an open home and negotiate an outcome you are happy with. 

Ready to make a start? Contact The Agency CQ today.