While some old-school agents will still say “Auctions don’t work in my area” or “Auction only works on certain properties”, the reverse has been proven to be true. Agents skilled in the use of the Auction method are regularly achieving great results in every geographical location and on every style of property.
Over the past few years, the proportion of properties across Australia being sold by Auction has been steadily rising as the method becomes increasingly popular with both sellers and buyers. The Sunshine Coast property market has been a leader in this movement, with one of the highest proportion of Auctions of any non-capital city across Australia.
THERE ARE COMPELLING REASONS FOR CHOOSING AUCTION AS YOUR SELLING METHOD
There’s a good reason for this trajectory. Put simply, Auction is the fairest and most transparent way for buyers and sellers to come together, whilst enabling the best possible sales outcome.
The team at Amber Werchon Property have an impressive Auction track record, both in-room and on-site. On average, better outcomes are achieved in a shorter period of time with Auction than is possible with the traditional private treaty method – that is, selling with a price.
ACHIEVING THE BEST POSSIBLE PRICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH MARKET CONDITIONS
Removing price from any marketing creates a competitive environment, whereby interested parties have to compete with other buyers to secure the property. While feedback is gathered throughout the campaign to enable the seller to formulate reasonable expectations of what the property might sell for on Auction day, it’s not unusual for a property to then sell at Auction well above the seller’s reserve.
SECURING A RESULT IN A SHORTER TIME FRAME
An Auction campaign has a fixed time frame, creating a deadline for buyers. The resulting sense of urgency will ensure a result one way or the other within a period of around four to five weeks.
EXPOSURE
The increased exposure your property receives during the intense marketing campaign ensures as many prospective buyers as possible are aware of your property. This is the basis of a successful auction campaign – ensuring every potential buyer who’s active in the marketplace is aware of the opportunity and brought together to compete, all at the same time;
UNCONDITIONAL SALE
Private treaty sales are open to conditions and may be subject to things like the cooling off period, a building and pest report, or finance approval – even the sale of another property. If the conditions are not met, the sale falls through and it’s back to the starting block. When you sell at auction, the sale is immediately unconditional, meaning the buyer cannot pull out of the contract for any reason. This certainty gives you greater peace of mind, allowing you to make decisions as soon as the auctioneer’s hammer falls through to settlement day without the private treaty risks.
“PASSED IN” DOESN’T MEAN FAILURE
If for any reason a property does not sell under the hammer on auction day, statistics demonstrate that the majority of auction properties will sell in the subsequent two week period. Conducted effectively, the auction process remains a solid way to clarify sellers’ expectations and the perception by buyers of current market value, generally enabling parties to negotiate to a mutually agreeable sale.
TIPS TO ACHIEVE A MAXIMUM SALE PRICE AND UNDER YOUR TERMS
Every seller wants to achieve the best possible price for their home, with the least amount of stress. Your Amber Werchon Property sales consultant can recommend to you cost effective ways to maximise the appeal of your property thereby ensuring the optimum sales result for you.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT
You probably remember the first time you saw the property you’re now selling. How did you feel? Did you fall in love, with the purchase becoming an emotional decision? Or did you have to overlook the property’s obvious failings, leading you to make a more rational decision to buy?
These are two very different types of buying decisions – and it’s obvious that the more emotionally connected a buyer is, the more they will use their heart rather than their head to buy the property. So to achieve the best outcome, it’s best to ensure your property’s presentation and appeal is the very best possible!
We will help you co-ordinate this process. We have access to a variety of professionals we can recommend to you or we can arrange it all on your behalf.
We speak from experience and have many case studies where properties that have been presented by a professional stylist have achieved premium prices in a quick time frame. It can be worth spending that time and some money up front in order to obtain the best possible sales result on your property.
PUT YOURSELF IN THE BUYERS SHOES
Start from your footpath and take yourself on a tour through your own “Open Home” with fresh eyes. How does the property and garden appear on first impression? Note what appeals to you about the home and what could be done to make it more appealing. Does the property look well maintained?
INSIDE YOUR HOME
Start by simplifying your living spaces. The less clutter there is, the larger the rooms will appear. The less of ‘you’ in your home allows the potential buyers to visualise themselves living there. This is easier if there are less of your own personal items and pictures on show.
Clear bedside tables and bathroom cabinets, shower recesses and sinks. Clear everything off kitchen tops. Tidy up and re-arrange all your cupboards, stack the dishes neatly, turn cup handles the same way and stack tins in order. By ensuring these small things are taken care of, buyers will get the message that this home is looked after and it will be more attractive.
In the bedrooms, tidy up the wardrobes, folding and arranging everything neatly. Hang shirts all facing the same direction and line all shoes up together. Now is the perfect time to buy new bed linen!
Consider moving furniture to open up the space viewed from the point at which buyers will first enter the room. Remember, functionality and what looks best can often be opposite to each other! Make sure the amount of furniture in each room is just enough to point to what the room is used for, but not too much that the buyer can’t move around easily. Seemingly dead spaces can be turned into something much more appealing, just with a strategic placement of furniture.
Again don’t worry if you don’t have the time or knowledge for this, this is what we are here for!
CONSIDER A STYLIST
If the house is unoccupied, it’s worth considering a stylist to at least partly furnish the property, to enhance its appeal and create warmth. Although it sounds counterintuitive, rooms actually appear smaller when there’s nothing in them! The services of a stylist will also prove advantageous when the property is professionally photographed, attracting more buyers to inspections. We have professional contacts in this space and have some great sales achieved as a result (with many case studies to back this up!).
MAKE MINOR REPAIRS
Replace cracked tiles, repair damaged walls, fix doors that don’t close properly, freshen tired or damaged paint and timber work, ensure all drawers, blinds and awnings work smoothly and check that all lights are working. Consider repainting any brightly coloured walls a more neutral colour to create a broader appeal to a greater number of buyers.
GIVE THE HOUSE A SPRING CLEAN
You can’t underestimate the benefits of a spring clean! Wash windows and walls inside and out. Remove cobwebs, clean stains from around taps, baths, and showers. Dust ceiling fans and fixtures. Bleach stained tile grout. Have carpets and curtains/blinds professionally cleaned. Hang out fresh towels in the bathrooms. Put your best looking linen on show in the bedrooms. Consider plug-in air fresheners, or brewing coffee prior to open homes.
OUTSIDE YOUR HOME
Aim to keep your lawn and edges tidy throughout the campaign, removing any weeds and trimming back overgrown trees or shrubs. Pressure clean paved areas and driveways. Consider a trip to the tip as clutter can accumulate in garden spaces as well – the indoor/outdoor lifestyle we enjoy in Australia gives you the opportunity to style your garden area as an “outdoor” room. A minimal investment in some pebbles or mulch for tired looking garden beds and some new low maintenance plants can make a huge difference!
STREET APPEAL
The view from the street is the first impression a buyer gets, so make sure it’s a positive one! Take a look from the footpath and make sure lawns are mowed, paths are tidy, and all cobwebs are removed. Repair damaged window frames and glass, and ensure blinds and curtains are hanging neatly and in good order.
BEFORE INSPECTION TIMES
Give thought to the best time of day to show your property and discuss this with your agent. You know the property better than anyone!
Just before the inspection, open the doors, shutters and windows to maximise natural light, with consideration given to the season.
Give the home a last quick tidy, ensuring kitchen and bins are in order. Consider turning on lights and lamps to create ambience. Ideally take any pets with you whilst the inspection is on. Safely store your valuables.
Most importantly, leave for the duration of the inspection. While you might be curious, most potential buyers won’t feel comfortable giving the agent honest feedback if you’re there.
RELAX AND ENJOY!
Our professional team are dedicated to achieving a successful outcome for you, trained to take the stress and worry out of the experience. Although we know it can take a lot of effort to properly prepare your property for sale, the results will truly be worth it.