Top tips for first-time sellers

Time to upgrade to a bigger and better property? Congratulations! You're in for an exciting journey, first-time seller! The first step in any property sale is to book a property valuation.

Choose your agent wisely

As a first-time seller, you may be tempted to choose your agent based on the highest recommended listing price or lowest commission.

You don't sell a property quickly and profitably by padding your sales price, or being overly thrifty on necessary costs, you sell well by listing at a market-related price point, and using the agent best able to maximize your property's profile within your specific target market.

Prioritize qualities like experience, strategic thinking and good word-of-mouth referrals when choosing an agent.

Commission can be negotiated. Competence can't.

Keep your emotions in check

Every home has happy (and not so happy) memories attached to it. These can make it tricky to remain objective when getting ready to sell.

Trust that your agent has your best interests in mind when it comes to prepping your home and advertising your listing. The features you love most, and want to highlight, might not play in your favour on the market. Rather let your agent take the lead on ideas to maximize your home's appeal to buyers.

Make your home show-house ready

Every home benefits from a little freshening-up before hitting the market, but there's no need to go overboard on pre-sale improvements.

The most important thing is that your home is clean, neat and decluttered.

1. Clear away the clutter

Nothing says chaos quite like clutter. It's easy to overlook your own clutter, but rather essential to pack it away when potential buyers come for a viewing. An untidy, cluttered home can be a major deterrent, particularly in high-use spaces like the kitchen and bathroom.

2. Sweetly scented

The way a space looks is only one part of its appeal. Make a home look good, but don't forget to ensure that it smells great too, as scent has a surprisingly strong effect on our emotions.

It's a good idea to have a pot of coffee brewing or something tasty baking in the oven. Similarly, a scented candle or a mild, but refreshing, room spray can make a subtle difference.

Also don't forget to take the rubbish out, wipe surfaces and clear the kitchen sink.

3. Inside out

While it's the inside that seals the deal, the outside is not to be neglected. The outside of a home is the potential buyer's first experience of the property, which is why it's important to make a favourable impression even before they step through the door.

Paint the wall and make sure the garden is neat and tidy. Even if there is no garden, make sure the veranda, balcony or walkway is clean and unobstructed. A potted plant also goes a long way in adding greenery and life to an outside area.