Selling Your Home with Merrimac Real Estate Agents: Your Real Estate Agent, Let’s Get You SOLD!
So you are thinking about selling your home in Merrimac? As local Merrimac real estate agents we make the process smoother and more profitable. We know the area inside out and can help get you the best possible price.
Merrimac real estate agents have the skills and experience to market your home effectively.
They use their networks and local knowledge to find the right buyers. This can lead to a quicker sale at a better price.
Working with local Merrimac real estate agents takes the stress out of selling. They handle the paperwork, negotiations, and open homes. This leaves you free to focus on your next move. With their help, you can sell your home with confidence and ease.
Benefits of Working with Merrimac Real Estate Agents
Merrimac real estate agents offer valuable expertise and skills to help you sell your home smoothly. They bring local knowledge, strong negotiation abilities, and proven marketing tactics to get you the best results.
Local Market Expertise
Merrimac real estate agents know the area inside out. They understand local property values, trends, and buyer preferences. This knowledge helps them price your home correctly from the start.
Agents can highlight your property’s best features based on what local buyers want. They may suggest small improvements to boost appeal. Their insights can help your home stand out in the Merrimac market.
Agents also know about upcoming developments or changes that could affect property values. This information can guide your selling strategy and timing.
Professional Negotiation Skills
Skilled negotiation is crucial when selling a home. Merrimac agents have years of practice in this area. They can handle tough talks with buyers and their agents calmly and effectively.
Agents work to get you the best price and terms. They know common tactics buyers use and how to counter them. Your agent will advise you on offers and help you make smart choices.
They can also smooth over any issues that come up during the sale process. This might include sorting out problems found during inspections or appraisals.
Effective Marketing Strategies
Merrimac real estate agents have access to powerful marketing tools and networks. They use professional photos and videos to showcase your home’s best features. Many create virtual tours to attract more buyers.
Agents list your property on major real estate websites; determined by your marketing budget. This ensures your home gets seen by a wide audience of potential buyers.
They also use targeted advertising on social media and other platforms. Your agent may host open houses or private viewings to drum up interest. Some have databases of potential buyers they can reach out to directly.
Agents know how to write compelling property descriptions that highlight key selling points. They can create eye-catching flyers and brochures to market your home effectively.
Preparing Your Home for Sale
Getting your home ready for the market can boost its appeal and value. A well-presented property attracts more buyers and often sells faster.
Home Staging Tips
Start by decluttering each room. Remove personal items and excess furniture to make spaces feel bigger. Give your home a deep clean, paying extra attention to kitchens and bathrooms.
Add fresh, neutral paint to walls. This creates a blank canvas for potential buyers to imagine their own style. Use warm, inviting colours to create a welcoming atmosphere.
Enhance your home’s kerb appeal. Mow the lawn, trim hedges, and add some colourful plants to the garden. A tidy exterior makes a great first impression.
Let in natural light by opening curtains and blinds. Good lighting makes rooms feel spacious and cheerful. Add lamps to dark corners for extra brightness.
Maintenance and Repairs
Fix any obvious defects before listing your home. Repair leaky taps, squeaky doors, and loose tiles. These small issues can put off buyers and lower your home’s value.
Check your home’s major systems. Ensure heating, cooling, and plumbing work properly. Consider getting a pre-listing inspection to identify any hidden problems.
Give your home a fresh coat of paint if needed. This can make your property look well-maintained and move-in-ready. Focus on high-traffic areas like the kitchen and living room.
Don’t forget about the outside. Repair any damaged fencing, clean gutters, and fix loose roof tiles. A well-maintained exterior shows buyers that you’ve cared for the entire property.
Understanding the Selling Process
Selling your home involves several key steps to ensure a smooth and successful transaction. A clear grasp of the process helps you navigate each stage with confidence.
Property Appraisal
Getting an accurate property appraisal is crucial when selling your home. A licensed valuer will assess your property’s worth based on its size, condition, and features. They’ll also look at recent sales of similar homes in your area.
The Merrimac real estate agents will inspect your property inside and out. They’ll take note of any renovations or improvements you’ve made. This helps them give a fair and up-to-date value.
A professional appraisal gives you a solid starting point for pricing your home. It can also help you spot areas that might need a touch-up before listing.
Setting the Right Price
Pricing your home correctly is vital for a quick and profitable sale. Set it too high, and you might scare off buyers. Too low, and you could miss out on potential profit.
Your real estate agent will help you set a competitive price. They’ll use the CMA report as a guide, but also factor in:
- Current market trends
- Unique features of your home
- Buyer demand in your area
Be ready to adjust your price if needed. Your agent will keep you updated on buyer feedback and market changes.
Legal Requirements
Selling a home involves several legal steps. You’ll need to prepare a contract of sale, which outlines the terms of the transaction. This includes the sale price, settlement date, and any special conditions.
In Queensland, you must sign a Contract of Sale for House and Residential Land or an REIQ contract. This document gives buyers important info about your property, such as:
- Title details
- Zoning information
- Any restrictions on the land
It’s wise to hire a conveyancer or solicitor to handle the legal side of things. They’ll make sure all paperwork is in order and protect your interests throughout the sale.
Choosing the Right Agent
Selecting a skilled real estate agent is key when selling your home in Merrimac. The right agent can make a big difference in your sale price and experience.
Communication skills are vital. Your agent should keep you updated throughout the sale process. They need to explain things clearly and answer your questions promptly.
Comparing Agent Fees and Services
Agent fees can vary, so it’s smart to compare a few options. Most agents charge a percentage of the sale price as a commission. This is typically 2-4.5% in Queensland.
Some agents offer fixed-fee services. This can be cheaper but may come with fewer perks. Make sure you know what’s included in the fee.
Look beyond just the price. A slightly higher fee might be worth it for an agent with a great sales record. They could end up getting you a much better price for your home.
Closing the Sale
Selling your home is a big step. The final stages involve careful negotiations and paperwork to wrap up the deal.
Handling Offers
When you get an offer, your Merrimac agent will go over it with you. They’ll explain the price, terms, and conditions. You can accept, reject, or make a counter-offer.
Your agent will help you weigh up each offer. They’ll look at the buyer’s deposit, loan pre-approval, and any conditions. Sometimes, you might get multiple offers. Your agent can guide you on how to handle this.
It’s normal to go back and forth a bit. Your agent will talk to the buyer’s agent to smooth out any issues. Once you’re happy, you’ll sign the contract.
Final Inspections
Before settlement, the buyer will do a final check of your home. This usually happens a few days before settlement.
The buyer wants to make sure the house is in the same state as when they agreed to buy it. They’ll check that any agreed repairs have been done.
You need to have the house clean and empty. Make sure you’ve removed all your stuff. The buyer will test things like taps, lights, and appliances that are part of the sale.
If there are issues, your agent will help sort them out quickly.
Settlement Process
Settlement is when you hand over your property to the buyer. It’s mostly handled by lawyers or conveyancers.
You’ll need to sign transfer documents. These pass ownership to the buyer. Your agent can explain what each document means.
On settlement day, the buyer’s money is transferred to you. Your bank will use this to pay off your mortgage if you have one.
You’ll hand over the keys to your agent. Make sure you’ve cancelled your insurance, and electricity, as well as redirected your mail.
After settlement, your agent will let you know when it’s all complete. They’ll help with any final details to ensure a smooth handover.
20 STEPS to SELLING your Gold Coast HOME
YOUR JOURNEY TO A SUCCESSFUL GOLD COAST PROPERTY SALE
As your local independent Gold Coast real estate agent, I know that selling your home can be a stressful process, however, with the right steps it can be a smooth, stress-free journey.
My simplified guide will take you through a 20-step process for selling your Gold Coast property with real estate agents in Merrimac; I proudly sell homes across the entire Gold Coast.
1. PREPARING YOUR GOLD COAST PROPERTY FOR SALE AND SOME OF THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
- Tidying gardens and decluttering everything inside and out.
- All homes being sold require hardwired photoelectric, interconnected smoke alarms. Non-removable 10-year battery smoke alarms can be installed in place.
- You will need to complete a pre-contractual disclosure statement: generally related to limitations, restraints, or defects in the property title, such as easements, covenants, leasing, zoning etc.
- If you have a swimming pool or the property has a shared swimming pool (Body Corporate), a pool safety certificate is required.
2. COMPARATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS REPORT FOR YOUR GOLD COAST PROPERTY
Once you have shown me around your home, I will provide you with a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) report, which is a detailed and legally required analysis of the market value of your home.
The CMA is based on recently sold and for sale properties similar to yours in the immediate area. I will need to view your home to prepare this report.
You can get a CMA from me HERE; it is 100% FREE, with NO obligation.
3. SETTING A MARKETING BUDGET FOR YOUR GOLD COAST HOME
The third step in selling your home is to create a marketing budget. By law, this must be based on actual costs. There are various marketing options to consider, such as:
– Internal, External and Drone Photography.
– Property and House Plan, showing potential buyers the exact layout of your home and property.
– Internet Advertising on platforms such as RealEstate.com.au, Domain.com.au, Facebook.com, Instagram.com, etc.
– For Sale Sign on the street is still essential to attracting potential buyers. Even though many buyers start their search online, they often drive around neighbourhoods to see what’s available. Not having a For Sale sign can significantly reduce the number of people who see your property and could be interested in buying it.
4. PREPARING AND APPROVING THE FORM 6 AGREEMENT WHEN SELLING A GOLD COAST PROPERTY
A Form 6 Agreement is a document provided by the Queensland State Government, it outlines all relevant details of the property sale, including the marketing budget. Our administration team will prepare and send this form for your review and approval.
5. PAYING THE MARKETING BUDGET FOR YOUR GOLD COAST PROPERTY
Once you have approved the Form 6 Agreement, the next step is to pay for the marketing budget that you have chosen.
6. STARTING THE ADVERTISING PROCESS
When your payment has been received, the advertising campaign will commence. The specific advertising strategies used will align with the choices you made within your marketing budget.
7. MONITORING MARKET RESPONSE
If there haven’t been offers within 30 days, it’s important to remember that this doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t interest in your property. It could simply mean that your chosen pricing strategy needs to be adjusted, to reflect what the market is prepared to pay.
8. ARRANGING BUYER VIEWINGS
When buyers express interest in your home, viewings will be arranged to allow them to see it in person; you need to be away from the property during these viewings. This allows potential buyers to be relaxed and visualise themselves as the new owners – effectively forming a deeper connection with your property.
9. CONSIDERING A BUYER’S OFFER
When a buyer makes an offer on your home, this is an important step in the sales process. Receiving an offer signals that a buyer is interested in purchasing your property and is willing to commit to a specific price. You need to check the offer carefully and consider all the terms and conditions before making a decision.
10. ACCEPT, COUNTER, REJECT
When an offer is presented, you will need to respond by accepting, countering, or rejecting it. Accepting locks in the agreed-upon price and terms. Countering proposes changes, and initiates further negotiations. Rejecting simply means the offer is unacceptable; in this case respond promptly and professionally, explaining your decision. If countering, present revised terms clearly; open and respectful communication is key for a smooth sale.
11. YOUR LEGALITIES
When you finally accept an offer, you will engage your solicitor to facilitate the legal requirements to complete the sale. If you are part of a Body Corporate, you will need to provide a Disclosure Statement from them. Your solicitor will use PEXA to settle your property, part of the process requires Verification of Identity. Also, anyone involved in a property transaction worth $750,000 or more must complete an ATO Clearance Certificate.
12. BUYER’S DEPOSIT
The buyer’s deposit is a crucial step in the property purchase process; it will be paid into and held in the agency’s Trust account. This is a tangible expression of the buyer’s commitment to purchase your property.
13. BUILDING AND PEST INSPECTIONS
Normally a buyer will arrange a building and pest inspection report for your property to be completed within 14 days of the contract date. In addition, they may also have the contract subject to finance, which is usually up to 21 days from the contract date.
14. COMPLETING YOUR GOLD COAST PROPERTY SALE
Based on the outcome of the building and pest inspection report, and any finance being sought, the buyer will either proceed with their offer or withdraw it. At this point, the sale will fall through, or it becomes unconditional.
15. LOOKING FOR YOUR NEW PROPERTY
If the sale becomes unconditional, then it is now time to start looking for a new property; remember, there is no need to rush it is essential that you take your time, as this needs to be a very considered purchase. Your new home is of substantial value and can be costly if you change your mind. Something you may want to investigate is Short-Term Bridging Loans.
16. ALTERNATIVES YOU SHOULD CONSIDER
An alternative option to consider is renting while you look for a new property. A period of renting could be used as a breathing space, allowing you to collect your thoughts, process everything calmly and ultimately buy where you want to live.
17. TIME FOR YOU TO MOVE
Leaving your home opens doors to a new chapter full of new beginnings. Embrace the excitement of a fresh start and cherish the memories you’ve made. Every box you pack brings you one step closer to a new adventure full of possibilities that lie ahead.
18. YOUR SALE CONCLUDES
The culmination of the property sale is settlement; it marks the transfer of the property to the new buyer. As the final chapter concludes, this can be seen as a sense of achievement; your property has now SOLD.
19. YOUR FUTURE OPTIONS
If you have chosen to rent; you will continue to look for and eventually purchase a new property, apartment, or perhaps even buy land and build; now there’s something to consider.
20. TIME TO UNWIND AND MAKE YOUR NEW HOME YOUR OWN
As you unpack and furnish your new home, embrace the gradual process of creating your own personal haven. Enjoy the transformation, one room at a time. Relax in the tranquillity of your surroundings and immerse yourself in the gentle sounds of your new neighbourhood.
Explore the nearby parks and cafes; enjoy the unique charm of your new community. Remember, settling in is a journey in itself, it’s not a race. Embrace the process of creating a home that reflects your unique style and personality.
Selling your property on the Gold Coast with real estate agents in Miami can be complex, but I make it simple. My 20-step guide provides a general overview; your specific steps may vary.
As a skilled agent backed by a strong local team, I’ll guide you through the selling process, seamlessly helping you achieve a successful property sale.
Author: Craig Douglas
Please Note: The information contained in this document is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The laws and regulations governing the sale of property in Queensland are complex and constantly changing. It is important to seek the advice of a qualified property lawyer or conveyancer before making any decisions about the sale of your property. This document does not take into account your individual circumstances and may not apply to your situation. By reading this document you agree that you have not relied on the information contained herein and that you will seek independent legal advice before taking any action.
I know how stressful it can be to sell a property, but I’m here to make the process as smooth and easy as possible. So you searched for Merrimac Real Estate Agents and found yourself here, let’s chat over coffee and I’ll show you how I can help.
Are you ready for a casual chat?
Let’s get you Selling
LET’S GET YOU SOLD!
Craig Douglas 0418 189 963
You can find me at a Boutique Real Estate Agency
Professional | Knowledgeable | Experienced
This page was proudly created by Craig Douglas, your local independent Gold Coast real estate agent, working for a Boutique Real Estate Agency. Selling residential and commercial properties, from those that are awe-inspiring, through to a diamond-in-the-rough, otherwise known as a “renovator’s delight”.
I negotiate and sell on behalf of property owners who want to get the best possible price, with the least amount of hassle. Let’s talk about the process of selling your property over a coffee to get you started – 0418 189 963
