Home Seller’s Tips.

Good advice makes all the difference

With more than two decades of helping Wellingtonians navigate the ever changing property market, we’ve put our experience to work for you and created this educational guide to help you better navigate your property selling journey.

Please note that this guide is not intended as legal/financial advice. Whatever your next property move is, we hope this guide is helpful.

Steps to selling your property

Steps to selling your Property

  1. Research your local market. What is selling, how much for, why are properties selling well?
  2. Have your property appraised. Consult with an agent and obtain advice.
  3. Make smart improvements to make your home more attractive to sell.
  4. Get agent(s) to present their sales strategies, marketing plans and estimated sales range to you.
  5. Review and sign the agency agreement (Find out more at www.settled.co.nz)
  6. Engage professional services such as a conveyancing lawyer, building inspection company, etc. Order a LIM report.
  7. Begin execution of marketing strategy, get professional photo, organise a social media strategy, print marketing & digital advertising – this is where marketing property commences.
  8. Prepare property for private buyer appointments/open homes.
  9. Offers received, tenders close or auction undertaken.
  10. Negotiations commence if property is not sold during the above process(es)
  11. Property sells and all contracts signed.
  12. Deposit paid. Contracts are processed through to conveyancing lawyers.
  13. Property settles, final payments are processed, and ownership is transferred!
  14. Keys are released to the new owners! Congratulations on your sale!

Understanding property cycles and what it means when selling

Tommy’s tip: Everyone thinks they’re an expert, don’t get confused by noise.

You’re most probably familiar with the term ‘property cycle’, but may not know exactly what it is, what factors influence the cycle and what it means to both buyers and sellers.

In very simple terms property cycles are controlled by two competing forces. Supply (the number of properties for sale) and demand (the number of people looking / able to buy a property). If demand exceeds supply, property prices will increase. If new supply comes on the market, from developments or property owners and it exceeds demand, prices will drop. 

As our population grows, demand also increases for properties – both for renters and home buyers. As people start to buy and rent properties the value of property slowly increases – the simple forces of supply and demand. 

There is no exact science when it comes to predicting when a property cycle is going to turn, however there are some factors that can influence the cycle, for example, supply vs demand of our current housing stock, migration, willingness of home loan lenders, local unemployment rates, how much money a buyer can borrow, interests rates, local infrastructure projects and both local and international economic factors. It’s these factors that economists take into consideration when making forecasts.

The Wellington Market Overview:

  • Wellington has always been a solid performer within the wider New Zealand property market. Underpinned by our city being the nation’s capital we have a solid employment base of government workers with strong job security, and we enjoy the highest average wage across all New Zealand.
  • This factor, coupled with a scarcity of buildable land options and an inability to scale our housing stock quickly like other main centres, means we operate differently in Wellington. Results in our market are less susceptible to big swings during market upturns and downturns, and we can react accordingly.
  • It is important that Real Estate professionals understand these cycles and what drives the market at any given time.

What determines property value:

Tommy’s tip: Look for an agency who’s been through the slow times, not just the boom.

One of the key functions of a real estate agent is to give potential clients a clear indication of what their property is worth, often referred to as “Property Appraisal”. There are many factors that an agent will take into consideration when appraising a property, some of the more important ones are.

  • What is my property actually worth?
  • What are the value-adds that will increase my sale value?
  • What is the sales strategy we need to implement to maximise sale price?
  • What marketing strategy do we need?

What are some key drivers of property value?

Tommy’s tip: Sensible sellers attract sensible buyers. Trust your common sense. 

Location

An agent will assess your property’s proximity to schools, public transport, recreation, and nature; if it is near a park or an ocean, harbour or a lake. Does it have a view? Is it in a high crime area or in a less desirable area such as an industrial zone?

Building design and structure

Buyers will undoubtedly request a building report and if there any major issues they will be identified. Your property does not need to be perfect, but a well designed, well presented and maintained home will attract a higher price.

Size of property

The agent will assess the size of the land and the size of the building structure. The size of key areas such as living area, kitchen, bedrooms, balcony, bathrooms, and garage will also be reviewed.

Number of bedrooms and bathrooms

In most cases the more bedrooms and bathrooms a property has, the higher the appraisal value of the property. However, an agent will also assess the size of bedrooms and additional features such as ensuites, study areas, aspect or view, etc.

Renovations and additions

Buyers love new appliances and quality renovations because they contribute to the lasting value of the property. For instance, a new kitchen renovation may add another 20 years to the life of a kitchen, something that is good for everyone involved.

Local zoning restrictions

Zoning restrictions will also affect the value of the property. Are buyers restricted with what they can do to the property? This can also have an impact on the property appraisal.

When is the right time to sell your property?

Tommy’s tip: The best time to sell is when you are ready!

Spring

Typically, this is the most popular selling season. The cold winter weather has passed, gardens are starting to bloom, and people are feeling optimistic. If your property has a beautiful garden this time could be ideal to showcase your outside area. It’s also a good time to sell a property that may struggle in the cold or one that can be a bit dark in winter.

Summer

Come January, after buyers have had time off from work, we find many are keen to fulfil their new year’s resolution with a property change. So, putting your property on the market at the end of January and into February can mean your property stands out in an undersupplied market, during a time at the end of January when buyers have more time to spend searching. Additionally, if your property is near the beach, has a pool or garden, summer is the ideal time to show your property off at its best. Properties that are cold and dark can look much more attractive on bright summer days.

Autumn

Autumn is proving to produce excellent results for sellers. Buyers have well and truly settled back into work and school and their focus often shifts to bigger decisions like buying a property. The weather is cooling, the leaves are turning, and gardens are still looking amazing. Late summer / autumn represent a sweet spot for sellers as they enable sellers to miss the competitive spring selling season but still benefit from a keen buyer market and good weather conditions.

Winter

Whilst it has a reputation of not being a good time to sell, winter does offer some key benefits for sellers. The market is often quieter with less stock available. Buyers who are keen to purchase in winter are often highly motivated and given the lack of buying options are often willing to pay more. Homes that present well in winter – perhaps they have a fireplace, or a cosy and warm atmosphere – do well in the colder months, you just need to make sure the open homes are scheduled when there is maximum warmth and light, and the property is kept cosy.

Finding the right agent

Tommy’s tip: Find an agent who listens more than they talk.

So, what are the key questions to ask and decisions to make when choosing who to partner with?

Are they a local expert with strong local market knowledge?

Local agents understand the unique property cycle of the local market and are best equipped to appraise your property. They also must have local experience and understand local buyers; what they are looking for and what they are prepared to pay more for. They will have a local buyer database they can work with and also know how to reach out of area buyers.

  • Can they show recent sales and similar properties they sold?
  • Do they have a good buyer database?
  • Can they provide a local market report and discuss with insight the local market, what’s sold, for how much, what the market trends and opportunities are?
  • How long do they think it will take to sell my property?
  • What method of sale would they use to sell my property?

Do you feel comfortable with the agent?

Selling a property can be a stressful and challenging process, however having an agent who you feel comfortable working with is important to help make the process as stress free as possible.

  • Are they friendly, approachable and transparent?
  • Are they attentive and do they listen to your needs?
  • Do they display integrity?

Are they strong communicators and do they listen?

Communication is key when selecting an agent.

  • Have you seen examples of their marketing materials?
  • What advertising and marketing do they recommend?
  • Do they answer your questions with knowledge and insight?

Real Estate agent fees

Tommy’s tip: The cheapest agent and the best agent(s) are not the same agent.

Agents’ fees or commission is the agent’s payment for successfully selling a property. It is only payable if a successful outcome is achieved. The commission is calculated as a percentage of the property’s sale price. Each real estate agency structures their commission to individual sales staff very differently. It is crucial that vendors ask and understand how this commission structure works and how much a sales agent gets as often this determines how much inter agency teamwork is actually present. Inter-agency teamwork is incredibly important and can be the determining factor when it comes to whether a vendor achieves an outstanding sale price.

The different ways of selling property in Wellington.

Tommy’s tip: Build a selling team you trust. Your agent, lawyer and home stager can make all the difference.

The strategy you use in order to sell your property is incredibly important and can have a significant impact on the overall outcome of the sale price. Ensure your agent explains the costs and benefits of each sale method and has clearly defined goals and outcomes as to why they are recommending a certain sale method. Real estate sales strategy is not a one-size-fits all approach and the sales strategy should reflect this.

Auction

Auction is a popular method of sale in big cities such as Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney, where many local and international buyers compete for properties. Auctions only work if you are assured of multiple, cashed-up buyers. Currently, just 3-8% of Wellington homes are sold by auction. That number has declined rapidly since 2018. An auction delivers a price determined by the price the second-highest bidder is prepared to pay.

Tender (vendor reserves the right to sell prior)

An open tender has a finite timeline but offers you the flexibility to sell prior, if you get an offer at a level that is at the top end of your expectations. Sale by open tender gives you two bites at the cherry; if you do not sell early at a level you are happy with, you can go through until the tender date. This method attracts buyers in the early stage of the selling process, including people who are under pressure to buy or who have missed out on other properties and are prepared to make an exceptional offer to take a property off the market.

Tender

Tender is a good method of sale for a property that is clearly highly desirable to many buyers and where those buyers will wait for the tender’s closing date.

By Negotiation

By negotiation means the property is open for negotiation at any stage. If the property is unique with little comparisons in the market, by negotiation is a strategy that effectively forces the buyer to establish what the property is worth to them. Our view is that buyers need some guidance and this strategy does little to help a sale process.

The cost of selling a property in Wellington

Selling real estate comes with a number of costs – some are unavoidable and necessary, and some are optional. When selling your property it is important that you understand these costs upfront, what the costs entail and whether you should invest hard-earned capital in these costs. Ensure you discuss the costs and have a clear understanding of these prior to making any decisions.

The main costs you will incur are:

  • Legal fees
  • Photography & Marketing
  • Renovations & cosmetic repairs
  • Preparing your property for sale
  • Agent fees and commission
  • Specialist reports and council information
  • Home loan fees, bank fees and tax
  • Move fees

Marketing your property

In today’s competitive real estate environment, real estate agents need to be experts at marketing your property. Gone are the days of putting a listing on TradeMe and in the paper and leaving it to chance that the right purchasers will come through your door and pay the record money for your given property. Marketing a property requires careful consideration and a clear bespoke strategy dependant on the property type, expected price and clearly defined demographics. There are many elements to a world-class marketing campaign for a property, and we will cover off a few of the basic components. Please note there is much more to a successful campaign than listed here and it is absolutely crucial that the agent you engage is a property marketing expert. 

  • Look sharp – staging
  • Professional photography, video, virtual tour, floor plan, and copywriting
  • For sale signs
  • Leveraging the agency’s networks
  • Email to the database
  • Print campaign; property brochures, flyers, and PR
  • Multi-channel digital campaign

Choose an agent that values what you value

 At Tommy’s, we value good relationships, people and the community. All Tommy’s agents, are community-minded which is why Tommy’s has built up a reputation for giving back. We work hard to do what we’re best at for Wellingtonians, so for us it’s also about finding a way to give something back to our community, because we really do care. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this guide. We hope this guide has given you a better understanding of how to kickstart your home selling journey. If you need any real estate advice, talk to Tommy’s agents – we’re here to help and will be able to point you in the right direction.

Let’s work together

A good agent knows their market. A great agent turns that knowledge into results, for you. We’re the agents for 1 in 3 successful Wellington house sales between Khandallah and Seatoun.

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