Six things to do when selling your house

They say that moving home is the second most stressful thing you can do in your life (the first being changing jobs). Selling a home looms as a large inconvenience in most people’s minds, leading to stress and anxiety. But if you plan ahead and take everything into account well before listing, much of that stress can be alleviated. Here are six important steps to take: 

One: Research and choose the right estate agent

Your estate agent will be your partner throughout the process. A good agent will advise you on what needs to be done, how to price, and will recommend people to help you with improvements and inspections. An estate agent will work with you through all the paperwork and banking procedures and will advise you every step of the way. Make sure your agent has a vibrant online marketing facility because online is invariably where most buyers begin their house-hunting search. Agents should know how to write compelling information about your home to attract potential buyers, and be able to confidently and creatively market it both on and offline.

Two: Price and timing

Make sure you have a good idea of the market value of your house. You might seek more than one evaluation and check out the prices fetched by other sales in your area. If the evaluations are well below what you expect, then you may need to rethink. Be practical and be realistic. An estate agent will also advise you on the broader market and the best time of year to sell.

Three: Gather all the paperwork you will need

Your estate agent will help you put together all the documentation you will need such as: previous transfer and bond documents; repair bills; installation dates of any home improvements, such as hot water cylinders, carpets or flooring installations; proof of the age of the roof; any compliance permits you may have applied for; as well as inspection certificates; and instruction manuals pertaining to any fixed appliances. Make a file and gradually source and input everything you will need for the estate agent. 

Four: Spruce up

Make sure you have enough time to do some basic cleaning up of the appearance of your house – both the exterior and interior. A coat of paint does wonders, a tidy garden with a couple of pot plants or new plants in ugly corners can add a neater and prettier picture. Simple things like a heated towel rack in the bathroom or new venetian blinds at front windows can make a world of difference.

• Clear out junk: This can be a biggie. Many people collect mounds of stuff during the course of a long stay in a house. Your garage may look like a scrap metal dealer’s delight, and your garden may be invisible under a collection of old wood, a broken dog’s  kennel, and the body of Old John Brown’s Ford car. Inside your house, you may discover you have collected every envelope of every mail ever sent to you. You may be unable to close drawers stuffed to the hilt with old clothes and paraphernalia you may not even recognise until you get to the bottom of things. None of this looks good when you’re trying to sell a house.
• Clean your house: That means everything! Get into cupboards, under sinks, into corners, under beds. Wash linen and curtains, polish up that old brass, give a crystal shine to your windows.  
• Get rid of excess furniture: This will give your house a ‘clear and clean’ look. It’s very helpful when showing prospective buyers your property because it gives them an opportunity to see beyond your clutter, and to where they might fit in theirs.
• Repair small things: Sometimes we live for years with something not working as it should – a window that doesn’t latch properly, a door handle that has a screw missing, a tap that doesn’t work. Fix everything so that all is in working order because what seems normal to you, may strike a prospective buyer as annoying.

Five: Get inspections done

There are several inspection and clearance certificates that you need to obtain before selling. Not every area’s requirements are the same, so it’s good to check with your estate agent on the specifications you need to meet.

Electricity and plumbing: You will need to furnish the buyer with a valid Electrical and Water Compliance Certificate that is not older than 2 years. The Plumbing Certificate of Compliance is specifically issued to ensure that all plumbing installations comply with National Building Regulations and municipal by-laws. You can find a company that will do this for you – or your estate agent can help you to find the right people. You may need some rewiring and plumbing alterations, so remember to budget for these well in advance of selling.

Roof: You will need an inspection of your roof and a valid Roof Certificate proving that the roof is sound and that any and all leaks have been properly repaired.

Beetle inspection: You will also need to arrange for a beetle inspection of roof timbers and any other accessible timbers on your property by a qualified woodborer inspector prior to selling – and you will be responsible for the replacement of all timbers where necessary.

Gas: If you have a gas installation on your property, you will be obliged to provide both proof of full/part payment of any such installation and be in possession of a Certificate of Conformity and certification in accordance with the law.

Electrical Fencing: If an electric fence system has been installed, then you will have to ensure that you have an up-to-date Certificate of Compliance as prescribed by law.

Six: Make sure household bills are up to date

Ensure your electricity, water and rates have been paid. The municipality issues a rates clearance certificate which must be paid before transfer can take place. Also make sure that you have fully paid any repairs, installations and alternations that you may have effected before putting your property up for sale.    

The Leapfrog Property Group

Leapfrog Property Group offers a fresh and innovative approach to buying, selling, renting and property investments, ensuring the best property deals for clients across South Africa. Armed with our combined credentials and backed by serious financial resources, we are the new face of excellence in the South African market – and we are certainly set to shake things up!

Find us at: http://www.leapfrog.co.za/contact/