April 2009
It was late when I got home. I just wanted to get into my apartment without being noticed. Unfortunately, one of my neighbors was working in the garden. Despite the fact I wasn’t dressed for the task, she insisted I help with fixing the automatic watering system. As I tightened a joint, the pipe split evenly in two and covered me, and my favorite suit, with muddy water.
Finally inside the apartment I was told by my partner that the kitchen cupboards needed packing in preparation for our renovations. I was midway through this task when my upstairs neighbor’s music started assaulting my senses. He was elderly and clearly his hearing aids were on the fritz again. I decided to ignore the noise from above and finish the job.
I knew what was about to happen next. Every apartment building has a self important, know-it-all. Mine was a neighbor who was aggressively knocking on my door. The music must have woken her and forced her out of bed as she stood in front of me in her night dress, hair rollers and face mask. Time for me to sell and move!
When you decide, or are coerced to sell, you’ll need a sale preparation checklist. Go through your property and decide what needs to be done to get you a better price. Tidy your home and garden. Where possible de-clutter and finish those little jobs. It is amazing how big a difference even minimal painting can make. Sometimes getting a property stylist can help improve the appeal of you property and increase the price you get for it.
The timing and method of sale are important. Traditionally spring or summer tend to be busy periods in real estate. There are generally more properties listed and there is more buyer activity. Different strategies should be applied to different areas. Many inner city locations do well with auctions, where as more suburban locations tend to favour private sales or sales by treaty or tender. Most sales campaigns run for approximately four weeks.
A real estate agent that is local to your area will be able to provide the best advice for where you live. Get quotes from several agents before deciding on the agent that is right for you. Get your solicitor or conveyancer to prepare contracts listing all inclusions and special conditions of sale. If relevant, contact your lender before you decide to sell. It is very important to check the payout on your mortgage so you know how much equity you have. Contact a mortgage broker to get pre-approval for your next purchase before you sell. A lot may have changed since you took out your last mortgage.
My neighbour had finished ordering me to deal with the music. I realized that my only reward for the work completed so far was the promise of more work to come. She was half way up the stairs and turned around to give me more orders. I definitely have to move and soon.
Evan Davis
