Two Ways to Sell

You have decided to sell your home and have agreed a price of $450,000 with your agent.   Your agent has a commission of 5% - based on $450,000 they will receive a commission of $22,500, leaving you with $427,500 after commission, but before costs.

You love your house however; decide that you don’t want to spend any money on preparing it for sale as you believe although a needing some work it will sell relatively quickly (within 6 weeks), plus the new owner can update the house to suit them.  

Fast forward three and half months, the market has slowed and you still have not sold.  You have reduced your asking price to $425,000.   Feedback from open homes has been that work is needed on the house compared to other homes at $425,000 – even after you have reduced the price.  You are adamant that you will not reduce your price further even though your agent is suggesting you should.

Did you know that since putting your house on the market:

• You have paid $6800 on mortgage repayments
• $1500 in outgoings
• 14 weekends interrupted by open homes
• Had increased stress because you haven’t sold
• Forgone $25,000 in your sale price, and
• Your agent has only reduced their commission by $1,000 at your current price of $425,000.  

Long Sale - Home not staged (min 3.4 months)
Asking Price	$425,000
Less
Mortgage payments	$6,800
Outgoings	$1,500
Commission	$21250
Subtotal	$29,555
Net Profit $395,450

If you don’t get an offer this month, your costs will increase and your profit will decrease, particularly if you reduce your price again.  Not a good situation.

Now consider the alternative.   You decide when listing your home for sale to get some assistance in preparing your it for sale and engage a Home Stager at a cost of $2,000[1].    The original asking price stays at $450,000 and the property sells in 6 weeks.  

Quick Sale  - Staged Home        (6 weeks)
Asking Price	$450,000
Less
Mortgage payments	$3,400
Outgoings	$750
Commission	$22,500
Staging Costs	$2,000
Subtotal	$28,650
Net Profit     $421,350

What a result, you have made an additional $25,900 in profit – reduced your stress levels and sold your home in half the time!!   

HomeStaging does make a difference.  If you would like find out more, call Décor Interior Style on 0430 195 940 and ask for Vicki.

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[1] This is an indicative price only, the actual cost will depend on the condition of the house, work required and if hire furniture is needed.  

Autumn Colours

Summer is such a great time of year, but I must admit I prefer the cooler months.   I love the crisp clean air, the warm colours as trees change to vibrant reds, yellows and oranges and the warmth of a roaring fire.

The pace of life during this time gets slower not only for us, but also for the housing market.   There is a common trend that during this time of year, there are not as many houses listed for sale compared.  However did you realise that there are some real advantages in listing you home for sale during autumn and winter.  The most important one is reduced competition in the market.  How great is that.  As a seller it means that not only are you having to compete with fewer homes in the market, but potential buyers have fewer homes to compare!

Although you may have less competition, it is still vital to remember that if you want to sell your home in the shortest possible time, you need to make sure it is picture perfect.  Buyers are still looking for their dream and your home could be it.

Here a re a few simple things you can do to make your home inviting is:

• let in as much natural light as possible and always have all your lights on when your house is being viewed.
• place warm and inviting throws over the lounge or your favourite chair to make buyers feel like this is the home they could curl up in, and read a great book.
• light a fire or make sure the house is warm and inviting.
• introduce some warm colours in accessories such as red and oranges to reflect the season and bring a sense of warmth to your decor.

Remember that if you need advice or assistance in creating the the place buyers want, call Decor Interior Style and we will be more than happy to help.

Get ready to sell

I love moving house.  I love the prospect of going to a new area and discovering the neighborhood, restaurants and meeting my neighbors.   I also like the idea of getting my home ready for sale. 

It is important to remember that the Real Estate market has slowed, and it really is a buyers market!   So, in order for you to ensure that your house stands out from all the other homes in your area – take some time and plan.   Planning is a key factor to ensuring the best presentation of your home for sale.  

Planning will make the world of difference; - I bet you wouldn’t go on a trip overseas without a plan; it is no different when you are going to sell your house.  

So where do you start?   Start by making a list, this can include: when you would like to have the house ready for sale, which real estate agents you want to speak with about listing your house, looking at homes already for sale,  and what at the priority things you need to do around the house to help show it as its best. 

I know from experience that when the decision is made to sell, that the two most important things we tend to focus on are – how much I will get for my house; and how quickly will it sell?   These are two equally important and related considerations.    

It is a proven fact that the length of time your house is on the market is related not only to the price you have listed it for, but also the way that you present it to prospective buyers.  Unfortunately, if you haven’t taken the time to plan and prepare you home for sale, you may face the situation that you home will be on the market for longer than you would like, and that you will need to adjust your price down to attract potential buyers.  When selling your home it is important to get a good price in the least amount of time available.

What are the three main things to tackle?

1. Street appeal

The exterior appearance of your home is the first thing buyers will see when they decide to visit an open house or arrange an inspection.   Street appeal creates a buyers first impression, so if you don’t give them a positive sense about your house at the beginning, they will continue to judge the rest of you home by their ‘first impression’.  Make sure the outside of your home is clean, simple, and well-maintained. Remove weeds and overgrown shrubs. Keep the lawn edged, watered, and fertilized. Trim your trees and shrubs. Don’t forget to put a fresh welcome mat in your front door. You may want to consider power-washing your home’s exterior or give it a fresh coat of paint, if needed.

2. Home maintenance

With so many homes to choose from, buyers are turned off by homes that are in poor condition. Make sure that all systems, roof, appliances, flooring, windows, doors, lights, fans, electrical outlets, wallpaper, paint, etc. are in good working condition and all visible repairs have been completed.

3. Cleanliness and Orderliness

Buyers are turned off by dirt and odours. Clean your home thoroughly including the windows and flooring. You can hire cleaners to help you out. A home filled with too much furniture and other items can look messy and crowded    Organise everything including cupboards and wardrobes.  If you have excessive furniture and items, pack them up and store them, - it will certainly make it easier for you when you have sold and are ready to move.

If you are still unsure of what to do, or where to start - contact Vicki at Décor Interior Style 0430 195 940 and we will be more than happy you help you get your home ready for sale so you can start your new life.

Presenting a home for sale is more than cut flowers in a vase

It's serious business, and can be the difference between a disappointing sale price and a fantastic result!

These days, there are a range of services and options that promise to achieve top dollar for your home's sale. And in a slow market tinged with uncertainty, it might be just the help you need.

An uncertain market doesn't mean sellers need to settle for lower prices.  Home Staging is an investment that helps homeowners avoid a lengthy, expensive and period on the market.

Internationally, preparing your home for sale has been a common practice for over 20 years.  The term ‘home staging’ refers to ways in which you can create a positive impression on potential buyers. In the same way stagehands prepare a stage for theatre or production, home staging helps home sellers ’stage their home’ to impress potential buyers.

Creating a favorable first impression with a buyer is crucial in securing their confidence in a property. The more buyers you turn off by not having your home properly presented, the longer it will take to sellm which can mean additional advertising dollars.   It is a sad fact but statistically, the longer a property is on the market, the less a seller may receive because the market views the property as one where something may be wrong with it."

Unlike major renovations, home staging is a simple and inexpensive way to prepare your home for sale.

Home staging is about identifying buyer’s wants and using this information to create a buyer-friendly home. It involves using simple techniques such as de-cluttering and correctly placing furniture to attract as many potential buyers as possible, as well as make your home stand out from the crowd.

To find out more contact Vicki on 0430 195 940 or visit www.decorinteriorstyle.com.au