The preparation you put into getting your property ready for sale can be the difference between getting a standard price and a great price. The best part is, it's not hard, time consuming or expensive.

Below we list some main factors to consider when preparing your home for sale.

Timing

Buyers for a property can be found all year round however it's not often that a purchaser for your home is out there, just waiting for you to put your home on the market.

Timing, presentation and advertising are all required to bring buyers and sellers together for the best result.

Spring is often considered to be the best time to sell. It's a time of optimism and with the weather clearing, more potential buyers will be out and about. It is also a time when more sellers will put their homes on the market so there will be more competition.

Winter usually presents fewer buyers, but the buyers are usually more focussed on purchasing and traditionally there will be fewer homes on the market to choose from.

Prior to placing your home on the market, allow an additional two weeks to prepare both the property and the marketing material.


Presentation

A tidy home says "Welcome". Your home should be kept neat and tidy during the period of inspections. It should not necessarily be a "show place" but appear a comfortable home in which to live. Fresh flowers or indoor plants always brighten up a home.

While you're cleaning, think about each room and what furniture really needs to be in it. Rooms look smaller when they are crowded. Clear out anything that's not needed to create a feeling of spaciousness.

Make sure that all minor repairs are completed. Sticking doors and windows, loose door knobs, faulty plumbing, or peeling paint may affect your sale.

Let plenty of light into your home. Nothing improves atmosphere more than brightness. And on a dull day switch on some lights prior to arrival of prospective purchasers.

A warm comfortable heated home on cold days adds a feeling of cosiness; on a hot day don't forget to turn on any air conditioning or fans (or simply let the breeze flow through).
Method of Sale

If you submit your property for Auction this means that prospective purchasers will bid against one another at a date and time suitable to you.

You can set a reserve price, which is the minimum you will accept, and once bidding has passed that level you know you have a sale, as it will be unconditional and a predetermined deposit must be paid on the day.

Sale by Private Treaty means that you set a price at which your property is to be marketed to the public through the marketing plan agreed to by you and the agent.

What can be a quite complicated process has been simplified by Thomson to ensure that no detail is overlooked nor any avenue ignored that might lead to a better result. Essentially it's a short process:

The Agreement

If you are happy with our proposal we ask you to sign an exclusive authority agreement in accordance with REIV guidelines. This will be confirmed in writing.

The Legal Briefing

We contact your solicitor to inform them that Thomson's are the exclusive agent acting on your behalf. They will be your point of contact, providing information and assistance. Naturally, the entire Thomson team will be working behind the scenes to ensure a successful sale.

Marketing

Prior to the commencement of the advertising campaign, a professional photographer will be sent out to take shots of your property, showing it in its best light.

Expert copywriters and floor plan specialists draft the appropriate representation of your property, highlighting any distinctive selling points. Their work provides material for brochures, boards, media advertising and editorial submission. We suggest the size and placement of your ads that will best reach the pool of potential target market buyers.

Once agreement is reached on strategy, these advertisements are placed in the appropriate media. Our reputation and size provides us with the opportunity to liase with newspaper editors on the lookout for property editorial.

It's just one more way we leverage the Thomson name to maximise your advertising budget. We also monitor the marketing campaign, making revisions and amendments as required.

Finally, the For Sale/Auction sign extolling the virtues of your property goes up. You have the option of adding positioning spotlights, flags and pointer boards.

First Impressions Count

You may be familiar with the 3P's of real estate when buying a property. Position, Position, Position. Well, these are the 3P's of selling. Presentation, Presentation, Presentation.

The attractive appearance of your property has a direct bearing on the sale price. We can not only advise you on how best to present your property but also arrange for specialists to weave their magic, if you have neither the time nor inclination to complete the job yourself.

Gardens
A well kept and maintained garden is definitely a major plus.

Handymen
There's always plenty of odd jobs around the place that need attention. Little things that you probably don't notice but a buyer certainly will.

Painters
A fresh coat of paint can make all the difference. Tasteful colour schemes add to the appeal of any home.

Florists
The colour and smell of fresh flowers add that special touch. We can organise flowers suitable for your home at a reasonable price.

Cleaners
A thorough spring cleaning (even in the middle of winter) can make your house shine. We have a list of professional cleaners on file, all of whom we would be happy to recommend.

Decorators
If you have the budget, there are endless opportunities for adding character and style (and therefore value) to your property. Feel free to ask us for a referral to our highly experienced and proven performers in this area.