ARE YOU
Thinking of selling?
Are you a first-time seller?
Here are some tips to help you.
It’s the first time you’re selling a property? That’s exciting. But being a first-time seller can be daunting too and there a few things to consider before signing on the dotted line. Here are some top tips to help you through the process of selling your property.
1 To be a good seller, think like a buyer.
2 Choose the right estate agent.
An estate agent is an incredible asset when selling your home; they can help you navigate and negotiate your sale and serve as a professional intermediary between you and potential buyers. Their knowledge and experience will be essential and often they take the emotion out of what can be for some an emotional experience.
So make sure you find the right one for your needs. Do some research and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Are they a specialist in your area? What is their track record? How many properties have they sold recently? Read reviews on social media, ask for references and be sure to meet in person so you can get a good sense of the person who will be with you on the journey.
3 Put your best foot forward.
When potential buyers come to view your property, you want it looking its best. There may be some things you’ve grown used to but that could put potential buyers off. So be sure to give your home a good spring clean, fix any minor repairs and do touch-ups where needed.
Your estate agent will also be able to advise you on what may need to be fixed or repaired before the property can go on the market.
4 Don’t rush it.
You’re likely eager to sell your property as quickly as possible. But selling a property can take several months, depending on the interest you get from potential buyers. Be patient and commit to the sale. Also, don’t be too hasty to accept the first offer. Here again your estate agent can guide and advise you based on experience and current market conditions.
5 Be realistic.
You likely have a selling price in mind, but it’s important to listen to the advice of your estate agent. Buyers have the advantage of being able to shop around and it’s likely yours will be one of many they’ll consider. List too high and your property may not sell. List too low and you could sell quickly but for less than it’s worth.
Your estate agent needs to do a valuation of your property and assess its value in relation to market conditions, location and other factors. Crunch the numbers and be realistic about the price you want to sell at.
Is it a good time to sell?
You want to sell your property but you’re not sure if the time is right?
If you consider that South Africa is experiencing a property boom as more first-time buyers enter the market, now is as good a time as any to put your property up for sale.
More buyers mean more demand, more demand means more sales.
With interest rates are their lowest in years, owning a home has become more affordable for more people. Major banks are granting more bonds, especially to first-time buyers, who are eager to see what’s out there. Your home could be their first purchase. Price it right and market it well and the right buyer will come knocking.
Be sure to work with a qualified and reliable estate agent. They will do a valuation of your property and assess its value in relation to market conditions, location and other factors. Think objectively about what your property has to offer so that you and the estate agent can price it right.
Buyers do have the advantage of being able to shop around and it’s likely yours will be one of many a potential buyer will consider. So put yourself in their shoes and think about what makes your property an attractive purchase.
Do some research and get to know and understand the profile of the typical buyer in your selling price range and your location, what they’re looking for and their preferences. See what else is out there. Find properties for sale that are like yours and see what they’re selling for, how they’re marketed and what they look like. The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be.
It’s time to buy a new property
You’ve just sold (or are selling) your property and it’s time to buy a new one. You’ve come to the right place.
Shopping around for a new home can be exciting but also a little overwhelming. There are lots of things to consider and plenty of decisions to be made. Need some help? Keep reading for useful tips and advice from our experienced sales team.
1 Crunch the numbers
Before making the decision to buy a new property, crunch the numbers to see what’s realistic for your price and budget. If you’re looking for a bigger home, you may need to look at other suburbs where bigger houses are more affordable. There are a lot of costs to factor in when buying. Use our useful Calculators to see what you can afford and what costs you need to consider. Calculators
2 Get pre-approved
Knowing what bond the bank will give you means you can start looking for a home with confidence, knowing what your optimal price bracket is. Bond pre-approval provides you with your credit score, and an assessment of how much you can afford, based on your income and expenses.
A pre-approval also works in your favour when putting in an offer to purchase; it shows the seller you’re serious and you already have your finance sorted.
3 Find the right estate agent
An estate agent is an incredible asset when buying a new home. Their knowledge and experience will be essential.
So, make sure to find the right one for you. Do some research and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Are they a specialist in the area you’re looking in? What is their track record? How many properties have they sold recently? Read reviews on social media, ask for references and be sure to meet in person so you can get a good sense of the person.
4 Location, location, location
During lockdown, we have all spent a lot more time at home and many people are wanting to move into properties with a home office, a garden, a pool or more space. Maybe you’re wanting to move to a new neighbourhood or suburb that better suits your lifestyle. Take some time to explore the area, see where the local shops, schools, gyms, etc are. Location is key and it’ll be important to find an estate agent who’s an expert in the area you’re looking at.
5 Take a closer look
Buying a new home is a big deal and you want to make sure you’ve explored as many options as possible. Look at different neighbourhoods, explore options like single or double storey, townhouse, freestanding house, or apartment, with or without a garden or garage (or both).
The first time you see a property you like and may want to buy, you don’t always take in all the details. Go back to view it at different times of the day to see what the light is like. Check for any damages or things that may need repairing. Take a friend along for an extra pair of eyes.
Check out our FAQs for more helpful information on buying a new property.
Getting the word out there
Marketing your listing is one of the most important aspects of getting it sold. Marketing should be integral to what your estate agent offers when listing your property. So, while you should rely on them to do some of the heavy lifting, you can also take an active role in promoting and marketing your property.
There are a few simple and effective tactics you can use to get the word out there and reach more potential buyers.
Great photographs go a long way; they are one the best marketing tools you have to showcase your property. Make sure you get great shots of all the rooms and spaces. Shoot during a time of day when there is good light and make your space neat, tidy, and presentable. Usually, your estate agent will get photos taken for you to load onto their website. Ask your agent if they use a qualified photographer with a professional (not cellphone) camera and if they’ll be edited to bring out the best in each shot. Have a look at other listings your agent has done to see the quality of the photos.
Video walkthroughs are also becoming very popular as these “360 tours” give potential buyers a good sense of the space, in addition to the photographs. A good estate agent will opt to include a video walkthrough to help market your listing. You can also ask a friend or family member who may have experience with videos to help you.
Social media remains a powerful word-of-mouth tool to spread the message that your property is for sale. Write a short, personal description of your home to post on your social media platforms and be sure to include a few photographs too. Include the link to the listing on the property agent’s website and ask friends and family to share it.
Don’t forget WhatsApp is also a social media tool! Drop a note and a few photos on your personal and family WhatsApp groups (but don’t spam all your groups!).
And let’s not forget the importance of show days. If someone is coming to view your property, they’ve likely done their research, viewed the photos and video walkthrough. They’re interested! So, put your best foot forward. Take some time to give your home a good spring clean, make any minor repairs and do touch-ups where needed. Your estate agent will also be able to advise you on what may need to be fixed or repaired before the property can be viewed.