Creating curb appeal is your job

Many home sellers are motivated to appoint estate agents because they know that the agency will carry the costs of advertising and market their property.

However, notes Berry Everitt, MD of the Chas Everitt International property group, they should be aware that they will probably have to spend some money themselves to ensure that their properties present well to prospective buyers.

“Making a good first impression may mean that your property needs to be painted, for example, or that you need to make minor repairs, or just plant fresh flowers in the front garden. But buyers always pay more for a home that is clearly in move-in condition, so it is worth taking the trouble to prepare your home for sale and give it ‘curb appeal’.

He also suggests that when you award an agent a mandate to market your home, you provide as much information about the property as you can, as well as documents like floor plans, title deeds and electrical certificates.

“Then go through the marketing plan with your agent to make sure you know which types of buyer are being targeted and why – and how the results will be measured and communicated to you. Your home is a major asset and you don’t want to be kept in the dark about buyer reactions and sale prospects.”

Home sellers should also always be totally honest with their agents about any negative features of the property as well as the positive aspects, says Everitt. “Tell your agent why you loved and bought the property, but also about things you would like to have changed and the alterations you did make.

“All this information will help the agent be better prepared to handle any objections, and to emphasise the positive features of your home to prospective buyers.”

When it comes to show days, he notes, most sellers know that dead flowers, dirty floors, the smell of cigarettes, unmade beds, unwashed dishes and animal hair and odour can dampen any potential buyer’s enthusiasm just as quickly as cracks in the wall or missing roof tiles, and will accordingly make sure that everything is spick and span.

“But prospective buyers may well ask to view the property at other times, so it pays to keep it in ‘show condition’ as long as it is on the market, and one of the best ways to do this is to remove all non-essentials and personal photos and mementos.

“Pack them away out of sight or even in a separate storage facility, where they can await removal to your new home. This will make it much easier to quickly clean and tidy-up every morning and make sure the property is presentable if your agent needs to bring a buyer round during the day or after work.”

Issued by Chas Everitt International

For more information contact

Berry Everitt on 011 801 2500

Or visit www.chaseveritt.co.za