Professionals Real Estate Recent rises in interest rates has moderated the demand for properties in Western Australia, resulting in property sellers working harder to achieve a pleasing selling price for their home.
While the Spring/Summer months are traditionally the peak selling times for homes in Western Australia, homeowners should not overlook listing their home for sale during the autumn and winter months.
Selling your home during autumn and winter has a number of significant advantages. There tends to be less competition from other homeowners who generally wait until spring or summer to sell their property. Also, the potential buyers who are active in the housing market tend to be more committed and focused on purchasing a new home during the cooler months.
However, if you are considering selling your home during the coming months there are a number of key issues you should consider, to enhance the attraction of your home to home buyers.
Pricing
Pricing still remains the most important issue when selling your home. Even if there are fewer homes in your local area for sale during the autumn/winter months, your property has to be correctly priced to ensure a pleasing sale. Your real estate agent should be able to provide you with information on recent sales of similar properties in the local area.
Street Appeal
The street appeal of your property is critical in selling your home because buyers tend to make their initial decision on whether to inspect a property based on its external appearance.
Make sure your gardens are well presented during the winter months because the street appeal of the property is generally a big selling point for a home. Strategically place plants in the garden which bloom during the autumn/winter months such as Australian native plants.
Light
It is proven that people react more favourably to property shown under bright light than dark. Considering there is less light during the winter months, you will to work harder to maximize the light entering your home. The following steps should help you keep your home as bright as possible.
- Have home opens around lunch time or early afternoon when sunlight is at its peak.
- Keep windows clean.
- Use adequate wattage in light bulbs. (Consider replacing older fluorescent lamps, which darken with use.)
- Use mirrors to magnify the feeling of light and space.
- Use light wall colours.
- Open drapes and blinds and turn on lights prior to showings.
Heating
Your home should be warm and inviting especially during the winter months. If you have heating in your home, make sure that it is working during home opens and the air temperature in the home is at a comfortable level.
If you have natural fires, consider operating them at the home open, to give your home added atmosphere.
Alternatively, if you have ducted air conditioning, then ensure that your real estate agent draws attention to this feature during the home opening. This is a feature that is popular with families.
It is also worth investing in flower arrangements to enhance the atmosphere of the home during the winter months.
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