It's a great time to sell your home

What you should look for in a real estate agent

• A good real estate agent should know as much about your area as you do - such as zoning rules and local schools.
• They can give you advice about what to improve in your home and what isn’t worth the investment.
• They’ll see your home with fresh eyes and be able to spot problems or defects that you might not notice.
• A good agent will know what buyers are looking for and what increases the value of a home.
• Do your research and look for an agent with a history of strong results in your suburb.
• One of the best ways to research your shortlisted agents is at open house inspections. Pop in and see them in action!
• Never just go with the cheapest option. An agent with a record of achieving the best price for a home may charge a little more but the results will outweigh the cost.
• Make sure they offer a detailed quote about the charges to sell your home, including any commission, fees, advertising and marketing costs.

Don’t be afraid to ask too many questions. You are trusting this person with your biggest asset and it can make a big difference to your bank balance when you sell.

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The do’s and don'ts on presenting your home for sale

When selling your home, you want potential buyers to be able to imagine themselves living there. You may love your vintage paperweight display, but it could be the one thing that alienates a potential buyer.

Here are some of the things you should (and shouldn’t do) when selling your home.

Don’t

• Don’t leave your bed unmade (yes, this does actually happen!).
• On the other hand, don’t make your bed like a hotel either. Make it a bit nicer than you would on a normal day by adding a couple of extra cushions and a throw.
• Don’t try to hide faults. If you stick a plant in an unusual place just to try to hide a problem, it will be noticed straight away. Try a diversion tactic instead and put something beautiful or interesting somewhere else in the room instead.
• Don’t leave cosmetic cracks in the walls – paint over them.
• Don’t be too bold with colour - stick with neutral shades.

Do

• Put away the TV. Televisions are getting bigger and can completely overwhelm a room, making it look a lot smaller.
• Remove personal items such as the kids’ fridge art and travel mementoes. If someone else’s personal items are displayed, a buyer won’t be able to easily imagine themselves living there.
• Add plants or fresh flowers.
• Declutter. Put away all knickknacks, but keep in mind buyers sometimes look in cupboards and wardrobes it’s best to get clutter out of the house in boxes instead.