Property Advice

Key tips to sell your property with confidence

Private Property South Africa
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Key tips to sell your property with confidence

If it's your first time selling a property, be prepared for a rollercoaster of emotional highs and lows. Follow these suggestions to reduce any anxiety around the home-selling process.

Choose the right agent

This is crucial, as you need someone you can depend on to guide and support you through the selling journey. Look for an agent who ‘speaks your language’ and with whom you can build a solid understanding. The agent works for you and should have your best interests at heart. Prioritise someone who communicates clearly, responds promptly, and takes time to answer your questions and explain each step.

Be open to all offers

Ask yourself how much you need—or want—to make from the sale. If you’re not expecting any profit, that’s unusual, as property values generally appreciate. Perhaps you’ve had to delay maintenance due to financial pressures, which may even be why you’re selling. Be realistic about your expectations versus what buyers are offering. Let a professional estate agent help you align those expectations with market conditions.

Watch the interest rate

Whether you realise it or not, the interest rate has a significant impact on the residential property market. When rates drop, more buyers can afford home loans or upgrade to bigger properties with higher repayments. Lower interest rates often fuel increased demand and quicker sales.

Look at paint and design trends

Each year, new trends emerge in home décor, especially with paint colours—one of the easiest ways to make a great first impression. A home with outdated colours, like white walls with dark green trim, may turn buyers away. If grey tones are trending this year, consider a cost-effective repaint if your agent feels it will increase appeal. Stick to neutral tones for both interior and exterior, helping buyers imagine their own furniture and style in the space.

Manage your emotions

Expect challenges—low offers, deals falling through, and delays. Just because you’ve signed an Offer to Purchase doesn’t mean the sale is final. Stay calm and grounded. Celebrate only when the money is in the bank and the property is officially transferred. Be patient and keep a level head.

Use ChatGPT

This AI tool can help simplify the sales journey. Let’s say you receive two offers: one is lower but cash, and the other is higher but conditional on bond approval. ChatGPT can help you compare the offers and make an informed decision. You can even upload documents and ask it to summarise them. The more detail you provide, the better your results. It can also offer insights into your local market and what buyers are currently looking for.

Focus on the visuals

Preparing your home for viewings doesn’t need to cost a lot. Most buyers want space, light, and a fresh feel. Open windows, add indoor plants, and remove personal items like family photos and certificates. Avoid using too many clashing colours. Eliminate pests and clear any hazards from walkways. Clean everything—surfaces, carpets, windows, and especially small details like light switches and door handles. Well-presented homes sell faster.

Be patient

Depending on your area and price point, a property typically takes 60 to 90 days to sell. If you want a quick sale, your home must be competitively priced. This might mean listing it for less than similar homes in the area. Check Private Property for comparisons. If similar homes are selling quickly and yours isn’t, talk to your agent—it might be time to adjust your price, refresh your photos, or consider a new agent. Stay patient, even if a buyer revisits multiple times or asks lots of questions.

Listen to feedback

Even silence sends a message. If you’re getting viewings but no offers, your price is likely too high. If there are no viewings at all, that’s an even stronger signal. Comments like "the garden is too small" or "not enough storage" often point to unrealistic pricing. Remember, many buyers struggle to visualise potential, which is why a skilled agent is invaluable—they help buyers see the possibilities.

Ultimately, the two most important steps are to price your home to sell and to choose the right agent. Everything else flows from there.


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