The Guide to Selling
Thinking of selling? GMP can help take the confusion and stress out of the process. Thousands of people have benefited from our extensive experience, real estate know-how and commitment to customer service. But don’t just take our word for it. More than half of our business each year comes via customer referrals and the repeat business of satisfied clients. We’re happy to share their testimonials with you.
Sale Preparation: - Auction versus Private Sale.
The first step in optimising a result for the sale of a property is determining the best method of sale for the situation.
We’ll assess your needs, the market conditions, and advise the right medium for you.
Auction: Melbourne has traditionally been an ‘auction city’. A typical auction campaign consists of three to four weeks of advertising andopen house inspections followed on the final Saturday by the auction. The defined time frame not only demands action from interested buyers, it assists you to plan for your next steps.
Frank Colicchia is GMP’s highly qualified and highly sought-after Auctioneer. Conducting property auctions almost every weekend of the year gives the GMP team an in-depth knowledge of our local market. With GMP, your sale is in the most capable hands.
Private sale: Vendors who do not want the publicity that comes with a full auction campaign, or who have a flexible approach to the time period in which their property may sell, will find the private sale approach an attractive option.
A private sale campaign may have weekly advertising and regular open house inspections, or it may be conducted on the basis of private appointments only. We can tailor a private sale campaign to suit your specific requirements.
The campaign runs for as long as it takes to find a buyer at an acceptable figure. Excellent results can be achieved this way, often with little or no advertising.
Marketing Promotion:
Once you have decided upon your method of sale, GMP will develop an appropriate marketing campaign for your property that suits your budget. This may include promotional material such as brochures and boards as well as the advertising required to showcase your home to the market*. A fully itemised schedule will be prepared for your consideration and approval.
*GMP does not profit on advertising nor receives any “kick-backs” from any of it’s newspaper advertising. All costs incurred cover production of material and advertising only.
Preparing your home:
The success of TV programs such as Under The Hammer and Backyard Blitz send a clear message that you can never overestimate the financial reward a little ‘spruce up’ can bring to the sale of a property.
Good presentation of your home is paramount – but that doesn’t have to mean spending thousands of dollars on refurbishment or landscaping. The following tips are easy, inexpensive ways to make a welcoming impression for potential buyers:
Indoors presentation
- De-clutter! Unnecessary clutter makes a home seem smaller. Clear out the extra bits and pieces to create a comfortable space. Hire some short-term storage if need be – on open days, you’ll find its money well spent.
- Clean and tidy surfaces are a must, and don’t forget to put away toys and evidence of pets, such as litter trays and dog bowls.
- Choose a painting or large floral setting to be the focus of the living areas.
- Strong colours aren’t everyone’s cup of tea - stick to neutral tones, with a splash of feature colour (like cushions or rugs). New bed linen and throw cushions don’t just create a smart scene; they serve as treat for you too!
- Repairs – attend to the small things you have been putting off such as dripping taps, peeling paint and missing door knobs. Get the carpets and drapes cleaned and make sure the windows are sparkling.
- Wet areas – Buyers are put off by bathrooms and kitchens that are not sparkling clean, or have unpleasant smells. Invest in some matching towels, create a mood by lighting candles and make sure baths, sinks and vanities are spotless.
The final touches – One or two bunches of fresh flowers in the living spaces aren’t just visually appealing, but fragrant too. Soothing music played whilst your property is open for inspection helps set a relaxing mood. Draw all the blinds to let in as much light as possible and turn on lights and lamps in each room. And don’t forget to tidy cupboards. Plenty
of buyers will look inside to check available storage so make sure they’re not crammed. In winter, a roaring fire tempts buyers to linger longer.
Outdoors presentation
Mow lawns, trim hedges, touch up paint and sweep paved outdoor areas to showcase the gardens and outdoor entertaining areas. Tidy up sheds and garages, removing rubbish and hanging up tools. Garden beds should be neatened and fresh mulch spread around to keep weeds at bay.
Entertaining areas – set up furniture and set tables to help buyers picture themselves relaxing there.
And finally, when you’ve done as much as you think you can to create the right impression, study your home from the street as a buyer might. If you find yourself thinking “Why am I leaving here – this house is perfect”, then you know you’ve done a good job!
If you need some help to best present your home, or you just don’t have time to do it all yourself, we can help. We’ll put you in touch with a list of reputable and trustworthy handymen, gardeners and interior consultants well versed in property presentation.
GMP
If you are thinking of selling, we’d be delighted to represent you. One of our dedicated, experienced agents is on hand to take you through these most important steps – sales methods, your marketing campaign and presenting your home for sale. This comes with no obligation, just the best knowledge and experience.
