Like the retail industry, real estate is also slow, however there are signs that it starting to improve and spring is here and generally everything looks better.

It is hard for people to feel positive when the newspapers seem to be full of doom & gloom. Interest rates are going up –OOPS! No, they are going to go down because of the world economy.  This does not help purchasers in their decision making.

Banks are now relaxing their requirements for borrowers which is helping.

However, properties are still selling.  Smaller homes and units are moving well at the moment as, unfortunately, there are more single parent families looking for something smaller.

Remember however, in this sort of market if you sell at 2011 prices, you are buying at 2011 prices.

It is no secret that a well presented home sells quickly and often well above market value. Buyers immediately associate clean with quality, while a dirty cluttered home leaves buyers thinking you have something to hide.

Remember, you only get one chance to make a good first impression.

From the moment a buyer pulls up in front of your property, you want them to do a double take and think ‘yeah, this could be the one’.

This is why it is so important to keep your garden looking meticulously groomed and tidy until sold. If it lacks a bit of style, hire a landscape designer for a day to help you give it a mini makeover. The results can be spectacular.

When it comes to the interior, attention to detail is paramount. If it is looking tired and dated, painting the walls is a cheap way to make a dramatic improvement.

Just remember, use neutral colours that will appeal to a broad cross-section of the market. Even replacing the handles and knobs on drawers and cupboards can make a difference.

When it comes to cleaning, spotless is the word. Get into every nook and cranny. Dust high, dust low. Buyers can and will discover those marks or dust balls that may be oblivious to you.

It’s also very important to eliminate smells and odours, particularly if you have pets or smoke. This means plenty of ventilation, and thoroughly cleaning carpets and soft furnishings.

Nightly doses of home renovation and D.I.Y television programs have made homebuyers much more aware of possible structural issues. For example, a musty odour in wet areas could alert buyers to potential moisture or ventilation problems, while flaking or chalky patches to render on exterior walls could mean that there is a problem with rising damp.

If there are any problems that need to be fixed, deal with them before buyers have a chance to discover them. It is amazing how often a sale stops dead in its tracks simply because an issue that could have been rectified by spending just a few dollars. What makes it worse, is that the buyer very rarely tells you why.

Crime is an issue that affects millions of home owners throughout Australia, but it is possible to stop thieves in their tracks without spending thousands of dollars.

According to Police, most burglaries are opportunistic and unplanned, with thieves entering the property through an unlocked door or window. In many cases they are only in the home for a few minutes, stealing just one or two high value items.

The best way to beat opportunistic break-ins is to eliminate the opportunity before it ever happens. Following are a few ideas that show you how.

Make sure your home is completely visible from the road. Shrubs and trees make a perfect screen to hide thieves as they access the property.

Use motion detectors for outdoor lighting. The thief is left guessing as to whether they activated the light, or you switched it on. It also pays to set the lights at an angle so they cast a large shadow. This makes any movement highly visible.

Put security warning stickers on windows. Once again, the thief is left guessing at the level of security you really have. If they perceive the risk is too great, they are more likely to move on to a softer target.

Entrance doors need to be solid core with deadbolt locks for maximum security.

Windows should be secured with keyed locks. A shatter proof film can also be applied to the glass, making it all but impossible to enter through a broken window.

Identify all your property by either engraving it with your drivers licence number, or marking it with a permanent UV pen.

For more information log on to the SA Police web site

This link will take you straight to the home security section where you will find a range of useful home security links, including a free downloadable book called, HOME SECURITY – Act now & don’t leave it all up to Rover!

One of the most difficult decisions any homeowner ever has to make is deciding on the right price to sell their home. The emotional connection vendor’s have with their property, combined with the desire to maximise their net financial gain can often Result in unrealistic expectations.

Why it’s important to set the right price

Because most properties attract the largest number of potential buyers within the first month of being listed for sale, setting the right price from the outset is critical. If it is priced too high, buyers believe it is out of their range and may overlook it in favour of a more competitively priced property. Remember, you are competing against every property listed for sale in the surrounding area.

Buyers tend to categorise properties into segments. They expect a certain type of property – within a price range – based on the location, style and features. If the property is listed too high, you risk eliminating the very group of buyers who would have been most likely to purchase your property.

If the property fails to sell, and has been listed for more than three months, buyers also begin speculating about possible defects. Any offers that are submitted are often lower than what the property was originally listed for.

What is the right price?

The right price is the price that the market is willing to pay. Buyers will evaluate your property against similar priced homes and if they think it has something to offer that others don’t, they will make an offer.

Anything that gives your home a competitive advantage will attract more interest, potentially elevating the price buyers are willing to pay. This can range from the presentation and quality of the home, to a specific feature such as an office or pool.

Convenience is also important to many buyers, such as the relative location of the property to public transport, recreation, education or shopping.

How can we help

At the Professionals, we have an intimate understanding of the local market, and have access to up to the minute research on national trends and market performance. This means that we can help you determine a selling price that will appeal to the market, while producing the best possible outcome for you.

We can also help you identify the features of your home that give it a distinct competitive advantage, and leverage these benefits to maximise the final selling price.

The negotiation skills of your Professionals agent, combined with our extensive marketing resources, enable us to target the right message to exactly the right market.

Many of our specialised suburbs are in The Tea Tree Gully Council,
These include, Holden Hill, Modbury, Modbury North, Modbury Heights, Wynn Vale, Golden Grove, Greenwith, and Parts of Valley View, Para Hills, Gulf View Heights

Salisbury Council
www.salisbury.sa.gov.au

Many of our specialised suburbs are in Salisbury Council Area,
These include Para Hills West, Pooraka, Walkley Heights, Ingle Farm, Para Vista and Parts of Valley View, Para Hills, Gulf View Heights.

Have you thought about the other incentive available:

1. Energy Efficient

Solar Panels

Solar hot water services

Ceiling insulation

2. Water Efficiency

Dual flush cisterns

Water efficient showerheads

3. Gardens

Worm farms

Compost bins

Compost stirrer

Mulch borders -now is a great time with the soil wet

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