Method of Sale
There are a number of methods of selling a property. All methods have their advantages and uses. You should discuss the alternatives and advantages with your personal Dalby First National Agent. A quick summary of the different methods follows:
By far the most popular in this area is by Private treaty.
This method is where the seller sets a price at which your property is to be marketed to the public through the marketing plan agreed to by you and the agent. A sign is usually erected on the property and advertising is usually placed in various sources depending upon two basic things:
a) the motivation of the seller to sell the property
b) and how realistic the list price is in relation to the market price.
The much less used method in Dalby is selling by Public Auction.
With this method the approach is similar to that for marketing the property but now the asking price is not disclosed to the buyer. The time frame for the sale is more finite by setting a time, date and place for the Auction to be held.
The Auction must be conducted by a Licenced Auctioneer who in our case is the Business Principal with the advantage to you that you will not be charged a fee for the Auctioneer.
When the date for the auction arrives the seller must give to the auctioneer in writing the 'reserve price'. That is the price at or above which the Auctioneer has the authority to sell the property.
Usually there is a period before the auction of an hour or so for prospective puchasers to view contracts and conditioins of sale on display and to view the property again and make any final decisions on their top bid.
Bids may be done over the phone but require previous arrangement and paperwork. Others may bid on someone's behalf but again prior arrangement and paperwork is required. Just prior to commencement of bidding the Auctioneer will call for the start of the sale, ask if every prospective bidder has registered and completed a bidder's registration and announce the terms and conditions of the auction sale. The sale is commenced and bids are called. If a bidder is successful they will sign the paperwork displayed and pay a deposit having entered into an an unconditional contract for the property.
A rarely used method in Dalby of sale is Tender:
This is a process similar to Public Auction except that the bids are made in accordance with a tender document, part of which is the contracts for the property, usually sent by post or email. The tenders close on a predetermined date and time after which the sellers open all tenders. The sellers have the right to accept or reject any tender at their own discression. Upon selection of the tender by the owners, the owners will sign and date the attached unconditional contract and send a receipt for the deposit to the buyer.
Presentation
A tidy home says "Welcome" and 'First impressions are the most durable and difficult to eradicate'.
To achieve the best impression your home should be kept neat and tidy during the period of inspections. It should not necessarily be a "show place" but appear a comfortable home in which to live.
* Fresh flowers or indoor plants always brighten up a home.
* While you’re cleaning, think about each room and what furniture really needs to be in it. Rooms look smaller when they are crowded.
* Clear out anything that's not needed to create a feeling of spaciousness.
* Make sure that all minor repairs are completed. Sticking doors and windows, loose door knobs, faulty plumbing, peeling paint or faulty flywire may affect your sale.
* Let plenty of light into your home. Nothing improves atmosphere more than brightness. On a dull day switch on some lights prior to arrival of prospective purchasers.
* A warm comfortable heated home on cold days adds a feeling of cosiness; on a hot day don't forget to turn on the air conditioner or fan or simply let the breeze flow through.
* Avoid having too many people present during inspections.
* Be courteous but don't force conversation with a potential buyer. The prospective purchaser wants to inspect your home - not pay a social call.
* As a general rule it is advisable to turn off radio and television sets during inspections as they can be very distracting.
* Keep your pets out of the way (preferably out of the house).
* Let the buyer and agent talk, free of disturbances.
* Don't apologise for the appearance or condition of your home (this does nothing but emphasise the faults).
* Don't discuss the details of the transaction or allow a prospective purchaser to inspect your home without your agent.
All of these factors play a part in the successful sale of your home.
Preparation
The preparation you put into getting your property ready for sale can be the difference between getting a standard price and a great price. The best part is, it's not hard, time consuming or expensive. Whatever your motive for selling, the process can either be stress free or tense and disappointing. The good news is that you have the ability to choose.
Timing
Buyers for a property can be found all year round however it's not often that a purchaser for your home is out there, just waiting for you to put your home on the market. Timing, presentation, marketing and a good agent are all required to bring buyers and sellers together for the best result.
Spring is often considered to be the best time to sell. It's a time of optimism and with the weather clearing, more potential buyers will be out and about. It is also a time when more sellers will put their homes on the market so there will be more competition.
Winter usually presents fewer buyers, but the buyers are usually more focussed on purchasing and traditionally there will be fewer homes on the market to choose from.
Prior to placing your home on the market, select an agent that you can trust then allow them two weeks or so to prepare the marketing material and suggest any factors that you may need to address before the marketing starts.
