Tips when selling a house for the first time

6 Tips to guide you when you’re selling a house for the first time

It is one thing to be a first-time buyer, but quite another when it comes to selling a house for the first time. The process can be daunting. It is hard to know where and how to start. To help assist you when you are selling a house for the first time, Seeff is here to provide you with a few easy guidelines.

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When Selling A House Choose An Agent From A Trusted Estate Agency 

The first thing you need to do when selling a house is to select a credible local agent from an estate agency you trust. A property professional will give you the right advice, and more importantly, sell your property.

• A Sole Mandate is the best sales strategy to avoid losing buyers. Provide your agent with a Sole Mandate to ensure that they focus all their marketing efforts on your property. This is one of the many benefits of a sole mandate.

• Remember, giving a Sole Mandate to one agent does not prevent other agents from bringing buyers, as agents in the same estate agency often share deals.

Decide On An Asking Price For The Best Property Offers When Selling A House

• Use current sales as a guideline when setting your asking price to attract the property offers you want.

• Your agent should provide a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis), which will provide an analysis of recent sales, as well as comparable properties currently on the market.

• Your agent will recommend a listing price. Our trusted Seeff agents have the insight and background knowledge to foresee the kind of property offers you could receive based on your asking price.

• Remember, your agent has a reputation to protect and will give you the best advice.

Prioritise Home Maintenance And Home Improvements When Selling A House

Home maintenance is an important aspect of selling a house. Your agent will inspect your property and recommend any home maintenance and repairs that should be done. During this time, you will be required to point out any material defects.

• All home maintenance must be done before the house is put on the market. This will also ensure that your home is picture ready and prepared for home viewings. 
  
  
• Remember that buyers tend to be picky and they will look for the slightest defect in an attempt to knock down your asking price. Don’t give them a reason to do so.

When Selling A House Be Flexible For Home Viewings

While buyers can see a full description, series of photographs and perhaps even a virtual tour of your house on the estate agency’s website, they will still need to physically view the property.

• Be flexible, putting the buyer first and accommodating their preferences and schedule.

• Ensure that your property is neat and clean for house viewings. A messy house will not attract buyers.

• Your agent may want to hold a show house. Here are some things you can do to stage your house for a showing.

Consider All Reasonable Property Offers When Selling A House

It is advisable to consider all reasonable property offers when selling a house.

• The golden rule in real estate is that often your first offer (if it is reasonable) is your best offer. Unless you feel that you will get a higher offer, you should not dismiss your first property offer.

• A good agent will be able to negotiate with the buyer for a higher property offer so be open to negotiation when selling a house.

• Remember, that cash or “clean” (i.e. where the buyer doesn’t first have to sell a property) with as few conditions as possible, is always preferable. This is true even if the price is a bit lower.

When Selling A House Begin The Transfer Process With The Help Of Your Agent

Once you have accepted an Offer to Purchase and all of the “suspensive conditions” are met, your chosen transferring attorneys will be briefed to commence with the transfer process. If you are concerned about how the transfer process works, rest assured your Seeff agent will guide you.

• Should the buyer apply for a mortgage loan, the bank’s valuers will need to value the property. 
• You will need several inspections and clearance certificates such as an Electrical Certificate of Compliance (ECOC), Electric Fence System Compliance Certificate (if applicable), Plumbing Certificate, Gas Certificate (if applicable), and in some cases, a Beetle Infestation Clearance.
• The conveyancers will need to obtain clearance certificates, such as rates and taxes, and also the levy clearance (for a sectional title).
• The transfer process can take up to 60 days. The conveyancer or agent will advise you once the registration of transfer is done. 
• During the interim period, you can expect that the buyer may need to come and measure windows and obtain other information from you (for example, regarding the alarm company).

Contact Seeff When Selling A House For The First Time 

Selling a house for the first time does not need to be overwhelming. With the help of a Seeff estate agent the process is easier.

for guidance when selling your house.

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