Maloney's

Selling Tips

Selling your home is one of the more stressful processes you can go through. Maloney’s understands this, and has a range of options available to help make selling your home as successful and stress-free as possible.

Maloney’s offers four best practice methods for marketing your property. Most other agencies only offer two or three. We also have an active database of investors, tenants and qualified buyers who are informed about new properties as soon as they as listed.*

Below is some brief information on how Maloney's can help you make it happen...

Marketing methods available through Maloney’s

· Buyer’s Guide

The Buyer’s Guide method incorporates price ranging rather than a fixed price method (eg $300,000 – $350,000). This gives buyers an indication of where the property may sell, and encourages them to inspect the property should their price range fall within the guide. The advantage of this method is that it increases the number of potential buyers that might otherwise be excluded if the fixed price was out of their budget.

· Best Bid

This method also utilises the Buyer’s Guide, but goes one step further. Before a range is set, Maloney’s arranges for an independent valuation to be carried out, and this valuation is then used to set the range. The property is then marketed for a set period (generally four weeks) and advertises a closing date. The closing date is for buyers who wish to make an offer on the property, and their ‘Best Bid’ must be submitted by this time. Similar to an auction, this process creates a sense of urgency with the buyers for them to make their best possible offer at a certain time. The property can, however, be sold prior to the Best Bid closing date if an acceptable offer is received.

· Fixed price

The fixed price method is the most widely used and traditional method when marketing property. Generally a price is decided upon through researching comparable sales in the area. It is important not to set a price too high above your expectation as this can deter buyers from even looking at the property. Likewise, it is also important not to underprice the property.

· Auction

Auctions attract a group of potential buyers to one location at the same time to bid against each other for your property. An auction campaign typically goes for four weeks after which the auction takes place. During this four week period, the potential buyers inspect the property and do their research as to what they believe it is worth. An auction does not have a price attached to it, and is generally suited to properties who have something unique to offer, or which are in demand.

With so many options to market your property, it can be difficult to know which method will be most suitable for you. Maloney’s are only too happy to discuss with you your alternatives and help you achieve the best possible outcome.

Professional marketing services

Copywriting for photography

Maloney’s employ the services of a professional copywriter and photographer to promote your property in the best possible way. Our copywriter/photographer is given a fact sheet from the agent to advise what target markets we are seeking to appeal to, and then visits the property to get a first hand impression of what we are trying to achieve. Copy is written to suit all marketing materials, such as the internet listings, The Canberra Times advertisements, front window display and handout brochures. A multitude of photographs are also taken to ensure we use only the best in presenting your property. Our copywriter also writes feature articles for submission to The Canberra Times Property Guide.

Graphic Design

Berry-Smith and Associates is the graphic design company who assists in developing all of Maloney’s advertisements. This ensures that all our marketing is presented at the highest standard. Working with a professional graphic design company also keeps our marketing up to date and fresh, with regular reviews conducted as to how we can better improve our promotion.

Presenting Your Home For Sale

While choosing the best marketing options for you is important, one of the other most important aspects of selling a home is making it as attractive to potential buyers as possible.

To start with go outside and enter your property where a potential buyer would start. Have a look around – will it have the first impression you want your potential buyers to walk away with?

Is the garden neat and attractive, does the front entrance look welcoming, is it warm enough as they enter the premises so they’re comfortable? Examine the place as if you’re looking at it for the first time. If you’re finding this difficult, ask a friend to walk you through what they see when they enter your home. More than likely they’ll also let you know of times when you had your furniture a particular way which really appealed to them.

By putting in a little extra effort on the presentation of your home, you may add thousands to the selling price later on.

Things that you might want to look at include:

Outside

Gardens – are they neat and weed-free?
Trees – are they away from the power lines?
Front entrance – does it look welcoming?
Pathways – are they neat and level?
Lawns – are they recently cut and healthy?
Roof – are there tiles missing?
Garage – is it organised to best display the space?
Driveway – is it free from oil stains and scrapes?
Drains – are they clear of debris?

Inside

Floors – are they clean and presentable?
Walls – are they clean and is the paintwork in good condition?
Lighting – is it sufficient for all rooms?
Bedrooms – are they clean and accessible?
Kitchen – is it clean and uncluttered?
Bathrooms – are they clean and presentable?
Curtains/blinds – are they open to show the view?
House plants – are they healthy?
Garbage cans – have you emptied them?
Smell – does your place smell fresh and inviting?

Maloney’s have a reliable group of suppliers for maintenance services, including gardeners, cleaners, carpenters, plumbers etc. They can help with all those odd jobs to reduce your stress and to help you maximise your property’s value

In any situation, Maloney’s can advise you on how to best present your property to your target market. We have a track record in achieving record prices in short time frames from simply portraying a property in the most advantageous way possible.

* Maloney’s comply with all relevant legislation, and details on properties are only released once we have a contract for sale available in the office.