The Wiseberry Experience

It is amazing what a big difference little things can make! You will need to make your home as presentable as possible.This doesn't mean spending a lot of money. As part of the WISEBERRY experience, we can provide you with advice on what will and what will not make a difference to your selling price.

The Keys to Home Preparation

Do not spend money where it will not add value to your home, relatively inexpensive upgrades can have big impact.

Start by attending to repairs and cleaning. A dirty home in need of repairs can turn buyers away. Whilst both the inside and the outside of your property are important, we suggest that you start with the outside. After all, the outside of your property is the first thing that buyers see and as you know, first impressions count!

Remember that most people buy emotionally, and that creating a good feeling throughout is essential. People also usually move to upgrade, so creating an impression of space is therefore very important. Buyers should be able to picture their furniture inside your home!

Here are some ideas to use before and during buyers’ visits, to ensure your home is as presentable as possible:

• Outside the house
  • Clean Windows
  • Clear gutters
  • Remove spider webs
  • Wash external doors
• In the Garden
• Add some pretty flowers to your garden beds; it is always nice to have some colour in the garden.
• Keep the lawn well-maintened.
• Remove rubbish and junk.
• Trim shrubs and trees (if appropriate season to do so).
• Weed garden beds and pathways.
• Inside the house
• Remove valuables from sight.
• Add some plants.
• Have fresh flowers in the house.
• Put the pets out and remove their bedding.
• Switch the lights on.
• Retain a homely feeling throughout.
• Keep the kitchen benches clear and clean.
• Hang clean kitchen and bathroom towels.
• If you are going to have a tablecloth on the table, make sure it is clean.
• Remove any clutter. Remember that people usually move so as to have more room.
• Clear your storage cupboards before you sell, space is often an important factor to a buyer.
• Ensure the beds are made before inspections.
• Leave the showing to your agent, after all, this is what he or she is employed to do!
• Attend to minor repairs such as leaking taps, missing knobs, broken windows and holes in the walls.
• Give it a good clean. Pay particular attention to the bathrooms and kitchen.
• It can be nice to give the walls a fresh coat of paint. Try to keep the paint colour neutral.
• Bring some fresh air into the house by opening the windows.
• If it is too cold to open the window, bake a cake, brew some coffee, have the fire going or burn a subtle essence; anything that will make the house welcoming and friendly.

Checklist for a Successful Move

At WISEBERRY®, we would like to make your move as easy as possible. As part of the process of selling your home, we would like to remind you to take the following steps:

• Contact your financial institution to ascertain the discharge of mortgage and release the security procedures and the pay-out figure to ensure you can obtain sufficient funds from the sale of your home to discharge the mortgage.
• Contact your solicitor/conveyancer to arrange for the preparation of a contract for the sale of your property.
• Find out from your solicitor/conveyancer whether you need to obtain or update a survey report and a building certificate.
• Attend to the presentation of your home; it is amazing what little things can do! Talk to a WISEBERRY® agent if you need some more tips, we are happy to help. Remember that both the outside and inside of your home count!
• Contact your solicitor/conveyancer and financial institution upon the successful sale of your home; they will need your instructions and prompt communication can sometimes save issues down the track.
• Book removalists once you have ascertained the anticipated completion date of the contract. Make sure to get packing boxes as early as possible and seek the removalists’ advice on moving issues.
• Once you have a firm date for settlement disconnect the services to your home, such as telephone, gas and electricity. You may also have to disconnect other services such as a ‘back to base’ alarm and foxtel.
• You can also organise your utility accounts online.
• Cancel or change your home and contents insurance.
• Communicate your change of address details to necessary parties such as the RTA, banking institutions (for bank statements and the like), car insurer, current and past employers, medical funds and organizations to which you have a membership or subscriptions (such as newspaper, magazines). Alternatively, you can organise with Australia Post to redirect your mail to your new address.
• Leave the fixtures to the house as contracted. It is amazing what buyers remember when it comes to curtains and other fixed items.
• Ensure that you have made arrangements to remove any unwanted items before settlement. Vacant possession means exactly that; empty!
• Remember to leave us the keys!!!