The first thing you need to do when you decide to sell your house is to find the right agent. Your agent will discuss with you the benefits of different sales methods, the best way to advertise your property, and perhaps some small changes or improvements to maximise your selling price.

A well presented home says "welcome". It doesn't have to be a "show place" but it should appear a comfortable home in which to live. Your home will be one of many on the market at any time. You need to present your home in such a way to get the best price within a set time. Presentation counts. Experience shows that vendors who make this extra effort usually achieve a quicker sale and, in many cases, a higher price.

First impressions count...

OUTSIDE:-

• Look at the home as a buyer would. First impressions count. Stand on the footpath and check the overall view of the yard, fences, driveway, windows, doors, roof and walls. 
• Pick up papers and rubbish in the street to show that it is a tidy neighbourhood. Remove any junk mail from the letterbox. 
• Have all minor repairs done. Sticking doors and windows, loose door-knobs, faulty plumbing, peeling paint etc. may affect your sale. Make sure gates open easily. 
• Arrange outdoor furniture attractively to give a look of leisure. 
• Closed garage doors look tidier. 
• Tidy the flower-pots and have plants healthy and watered. Trim shrubs and mow lawns, including the footpath. Clean out sheds. Toys and garden tools should be stored. 
• Clear the gutters, clean windows, screens, doors and awnings. Spread gravel on unsealed driveways and lay pine bark on unsightly surfaces. 
• Sweep and hose drives and patios. Remove clothes from the line. Make sure a pool is sparkling clean. If you own a dog, take it for a walk during inspections. 
  

INSIDE:- 

• Healthy plants in the kitchen, bathroom, entrances and verandahs look attractive. 
• Oil squeaking doors. Make sure the doorbell works and the doormat is clean and in position. 
• Repair dripping taps and remove stains from bath and basins. Fix loose or broken tiles and clean kitchen and bathroom tiles. 
• Raise blinds and open curtains to let light in. Clean light fittings, put in 100 watt bulbs, and fix light switches. Clean marks off the walls. 
• Arrange the furniture to make the rooms look big and easy to walk in, but don't do this at the last moment. 
• Steam cleaning the carpets adds the finishing touch, despite the cost. 
• Repaint rooms if required.      
• Remove kitty litter trays and dog food bowls. 
• Don't leave dishes in the sink or the draining board. Some dishes cooked the night before may leave an unpleasant odour. 
• Use your best bed covers and put cushions and soft toys on the children's beds. Lock valuables and personal items away. 
• In the bathroom, have attractive, healthy plants on show, especially by the mirror. If the mirror needs replacing, do so. If not, give it a good clean. Tidy drawers and vanity, putting cosmetics, razors and toiletries away. Some attractive bottles of perfume look elegant. Put a posy or bowl of compote of dried, fragrant petals by the basin and display of pretty soaps.

Put fresh flowers around the house, like it's a special occasion. Brew a pot of fresh coffee so that the pleasant aroma permeates through the house. And have some soothing music softly playing in the background - but turn off TV's and radios.   On a cold day, a warm comfortably heated home has a real feeling of cosiness.  Alternatively, in those hotter days, make sure your home is cool and well ventilated.

Remember

If a prospective buyer asks questions about the home or neighbourhood, answer directly and honestly. Do not apologise for the condition or appearance of your home.  This will only emphasise the faults.  Resist trying to “help the agent out”.  Questions about the details of the transaction such as price or terms should be referred to your agent.  Your agent knows the buyer's requirements and knows which features of your home to emphasise to different buyers. Remember, their experience and training enables them to better qualify purchasers and negotiate the best price. Furthermore, negotiations can be kept on a businesslike level when emotions are not involved.

It is best to leave the house during open inspection times.

Be prepared at all reasonable times to allow your agent to show people through your home.    

Price

It is often a mistake to list your home with the agent who suggests the highest price, as they may be simply trying to "buy" your business. While it is true that you can always "come down", there are many factors to consider. Firstly, the market is always looking for new listings. This means that the first few weeks your home is on the market can often bring more inspections than any other time. Many of the buyers in the price range will rush to see your home. Those who have been looking for some time are often the ones who have done their homework and are ready to buy. But they will also be the most aware of the market value of your property. If your home is correctly priced it will make buyers feel they need to snap it up before someone else does. If the price is too high, they feel no such sense of urgency. Just as sellers take the attitude "we can always come down", buyers think they will wait until the price drops. It is often the case that a property which could have achieved $500,000 when first placed on the market may achieve only $460-470,000 after being on the market for a number of months and becoming "stale". The longer your property is on the market, the more buyers feel they have the negotiating power.

It is important to consider the individual property in the context of other properties for sale and recently sold in the area.  A sales agent will be able to advise and show you the sales history in your area for similar homes.