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ULTIMATE preparing for House Sale checklist

November 2022

Maximise your sale price. Leave nothing to chance.


12 months out from going on the market:

  • Decide if any pre-sale reno’s require consent. Consult with a draughtsperson to start the process (they can draw up plans and help you get approval from council. This is often required before engaging a builder).

  • Are there any existing, non-consented changes to your property that should have been approved by Council? Do you want to get them signed off?

  • Is an exterior repaint required? Will this be in Spring or Summer? Decide on time frames.

  • Research time frames and requirements for school enrollments in the area you are moving to.

  • Consult with your bank / mortgage broker to see if you could keep your current home as a rental if desired. It’s always good to know your options.

  • Discuss the idea of moving with family. Especially children. Do you really need that extra bedroom? Are you better off staying put and paying down the mortgage? 9 months to go:

  • Confirm any improvements requiring professional help. eg. carpets, bathroom renovations, repair work. Check the availability of tradespeople.

  • Set up saved searches on property portals for target area(s) and current area. Monitor houses coming on the market, and check price estimates online. Get a feel for what you might get for your money.


6 months out:

  • Review your situation. Do you still need to sell? Has anything changed?

  • Start visiting a few open homes in your target area.

  • De-clutter and start completing paint touch-ups. Target 1 room at a time - finish 1 room each month.

3 months to go:


  • Will you stay in the house while it’s on the market? Sort alternative accommodation if required.

  • Select your real estate agent. Discuss marketing strategies and set goals around timing. Confirm the ideal start date. Confirm presale to-do list.

  • Give tenants notice if planning to sell an investment property empty.

  • Sell surplus items from around the house online to help with de-cluttering.

  • Book a storage unit if there are things you want to keep that take up too much room.

  • Donate unwanted items to charity stores (they often have a free pickup service).

  • Decide which chattels are staying with the house. All chattels need to be in working order eg the dishwasher, heat pump and oven are all chattels but fridges and other whiteware are not usually included.


6 weeks out:


  • Order a skip bin to remove rubbish if required.

  • Book an exterior house wash. Be sure to include paths and driveways.

  • Attack the garden. Time for the big cut-back!

  • Ensure all lightbulbs and light switches are working. Engage an electrician if required.

  • Remove most family photos from the walls.

  • Discuss any repairs required with your preferred real estate agent.

  • Is any furniture staging required? Consult a staging or house dressing company if required. Check their availability and book ahead. Partial staging is often available if you have one or two empty rooms.


3 weeks to go:

  • Sign your real estate agency agreement.

  • Contact your solicitor. Let him/her know you are planning to sell.

  • Confirm marketing strategy - tender, EO, deadline, asking price, auction?

  • Confirm viewing times. Will you be allowing open homes? What time works best for the house and your family?

  • Clean like your mother-in-law is coming to visit. Every nook and cranny.

  • Visit open homes in the target area regularly. Follow up to find out sale prices for houses you have visited.

  • Review the title with your preferred agent. Is there any wording that needs explanation? Check unknown easements with your solicitor.

  • Provide the chosen agent with the house key and/or alarm code.

1 – 2 weeks out:

  • Mow lawns

  • Prepare your property for photographs. It should be at that same level for open homes.

  • Last-minute touch-ups as required. Look for cobwebs or dust in areas you don’t usually look eg. high corners of rooms or dirt in window frames you don’t usually open. Clean out the bottom of any ranch-slider doors.

  • Buy fresh flowers, and put them on display. Make sure your home is nice and warm(or cool) when buyers come to visit. You can now confidently move forward, knowing you have done everything you can to get the best possible price.

Contact me today to get specific value-maximising advice for your property.

Kind regards,

Bronwyn

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