Three Things To Do Before You Sell Your Home

With the housing market showing signs of recovery, you may be thinking the time is right to put your home on the market.

To get the best price for your home (and cover all of your legal requirements), consider these three things before you get your home ready to sell:

Update or Renovate

It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to upgrade your home and make a good first impression on potential buyers.

A coat of paint will immediately freshen the exterior of your home and provide curb appeal. Consider a DIY garden update – seasonal planting and cutting back overgrown shrubs and branches will make your home look neat and attractive.

Clear and clean gutters and spouting, and carry out small repairs and fixes that don’t require the services of a licensed tradesperson.

Inside your home, thoroughly clean and clear clutter from rooms.  Make your colour scheme as neutral as possible in order to appeal to a wide audience of potential buyers. In winter, warm lighting and a cosy atmosphere can do wonders to give househunters a good impression during open for inspection.

If your budget permits, refresh or renovate your bathroom or kitchen as these two rooms can be dealmakers (or dealbreakers) for potential buyers.

Choose The Right Real Estate Agent

Using the right real estate agent can make the difference between getting top price for your home, and feeling short-changed when it comes time to exchanging contracts.

Look for an agent who is active in your area, can demonstrate previous experience and sales results, and who is happy for you to speak to previous clients. Don’t go for the one offering the lowest commission – chances are the agent lacks experience or is looking for a quick sale and won’t advocate for you to their highest ability.

A reputable agent won’t pressure you to auction your home or accept the first offer that comes in.

Get your Docs in Order

Have you built or renovated in the last 6.5 years? You may be classified as an owner builder and therefore will require an owner builder defects (137b) report as part of your Section 32 documentation when you sell.

The purpose of the report is to protect both the purchaser and the owner so they know the condition of the renovated property before a transaction takes place.

This report is also required in order for you as the owner to take out domestic building insurance, which is a legal requirement for any domestic building work with a trade value over $16,000.

Book an SPI Property Inspections Owner Builder Defects (137b) Report if you have constructed, renovated, altered, extended, improved or repaired your home or have taken out a permit but had a builder undertake the work.

Some of the types of renovation work we check include:

• Decks, verandahs or pergolas
• Carports
• Extensions
• Kitchen Renovations
• Full House Renovations
• Swimming Pool or Spa Installation
• Bathroom Renovations
• Driveways
• Tiling
• Fences
• Garages and Sheds
• Retaining Walls

Give us a call on 1300 721 032 , email us at info@spipropertyinspections.com.au  or submit a free online quote so we can simplify the process and help you finalise your sale.