Selling Topics

Selling with Tenants

To the tenant You are a valued tenant of ours,  but unfortunately the landlord has made a decision to sell , as is their right to do so. we would love to make this transition period as painless as possible for you. We have other rentals available and so long as you met all the criteria of a good tenant, we are happy to assist you in acquiring another property. To the landlord We must not forget this is their home too. They pay the rent and have a protection under the law, "... ... read more

Is the offer too low?

One of the most stressful situations facing any home seller is finding that the offers on their property fall short of their expectations.   Stressful though the experience might be, most vendors readily understand the relationship between timing and price in achieving the ultimate best sale price for their property. Others find it difficult to accept any variation in the price they have their hearts set on.   The good news is that many vendors ultimately finish by... ... read more

Does your home have the WOW factor?

Are two houses of identical design, size and presentation standard always equal What if the living area of one faces north and the other south Given that more buyers write ‘north-facing’ on their wish list, the north-facing property is surely more saleable than the south-facing one.   Buyers and sellers alike wonder why apparently similar houses sell for different prices. Many people fail to take into account less measurable aspects of a home’s appeal –... ... read more

Vendor Questionnaire

    Vendor Questionnaire 1. We need you to think back to when you originally purchased the property.   a. What influenced you to buy the property             b. What plans did you have for the home             c. What advantages are there in living in this neighbourhood          ... ... read more

Moving Day

Ensure all keys are in a central location, make sure that electricity, gas and water meters have been read and telephone has been disconnected (or arrangement is made for this). Make sure all taps are turned off tightly. Don't forget to take your pegs off the clothesline! If you're leaving a rental property make arrangements to drop keys to the agent/landlord. Double and triple check that garages, cupboards, under sinks, bathroom cabinets are all empty. Look up! Is there anything... ... read more

Packing Tips

Tape remote controls and cables for electrical appliances to the back of the relevant appliance. Wrap white china etc in butcher's paper before protecting with newspaper - it keeps them white. Make sure the following are alwayson hand- extra boxes tape marking pens newspaper a small toolkit garbage bags When dismantling beds make sure that all screws, nuts & bolts etc are taped to the relevant piece of furniture - makes reassembly for that first night... ... read more

Hard nosed and soft nosed negotiations

Our aim as real estate agents is to find ALL  buyers who want the property and sell to the one who best suits the owner's needs, whether it is price, terms or suitability of possession.  Competition stimulates price. But for a one on one negotiation there are different styles . Hard Nose Have you ever tried to break something hard like a rock. It eventually cracks and all falls apart. This is often the case when you encounter the  tough hard nosed,... ... read more

From Shabby to Chic

Whether your vendor’s budget is big or small, professional landscapers can transform a property to make it sell faster. Falling in love at first sight is not just the stuff of romantic novels.  Homebuyers do it too. We’ve all heard stories of people seeing a house from the street for the first time and deciding then and there they just have to have it. Creating that vital first impression, as we all know, is all about street appeal. Many prospective homebuyers or tenants will... ... read more

The "Right" Buyer Fallacy

Many people think that the way to ensure their property sells for a high price is to inflate the asking price. Is it really that simple In fact, the opposite is often the case. If a property is really overpriced, purchasers just sit back and wait to see what happens. If they’ve been looking around long enough to be ready to commit themselves, they’ve also made themselves very familiar with what they can get for their money and can recognise an overpriced property when they see one.... ... read more

Subdivision

Subdivision The subdivision of land or buildings can add significant value to an investment. The subdivision and sale of a section from a residential investment property can increase equity in the investment or provide a deposit for the next investment without affecting rental returns on the existing property. Subdivision of the separate tenancies within a building can provide the owner with increased liquidity (allowing the sale of smaller investment units) and generally... ... read more

Marketing Promotion to Find 'ALL' Buyers

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Adding Value - Invisible Improvements

Naturally, apart from location, money spent on large cosmetic improvements is always the biggest factor in adding value to the sale price of a home. But vendors should remember to inform their agent of all the features of their home, not just the cosmetic ones. In the current market where purchasers are taking their time to compare properties for sale before making a decision, improvements that aren’t obvious may not only add dollars to the price of your home, but also determine a... ... read more

Seller's Notes

Sellers notes The following information will help you when completing your sale and giving possession of the property. Discuss with your Lawyer any of these matters or other matters which concern you. Matters which your Lawyers should attend to on your behalf: Peruse the agreement for sale and purchase, and make sure that it protects your interests. If necessary ( and in complex matters ) they will prepare the agreement for sale and purchase. Arrange for a... ... read more

Hints for Property Sellers

Hints for Property Sellers First Impressions Other people's mess always looks worse than your own. From the moment prospects arrive they are making an internal commentary on everything they see. Gardens and lawns should be well presented; rubbish should be disposed of, paths kept clean, toys and garden tools stored away. Illusion of Space Remove unnecessary clutter and watch your house expand in size. Neat, well ordered cupboards, robes and pantry show that space is ample. ... ... read more

Why Have an Open Home

Many buyers feel reluctant to call a salesperson about a property that they are interested in because they want to keep control of their anonymity until it is necessary to enlist the agent. An open home is a non threatening, low sales pitch venue and many buyers find this much more comfortable until they have found the property that they want to buy or alternatively the offer already on their property has gone unconditional. Buyers do buy homes in the weekend, many buyers do not know... ... read more

20 Ways to Help Sell Your Home Quicker

1. First Impressions Be aware of the buyer's first impression of your home. Have you looked at your home from across the street lately? What can you do to improve this first impression? 2. The Garden If needed, re-seed your lawn and get your landscaping in top shape. This does add immediate appeal to a buyer. 3. Colour Position some flowering pot plants to add colour to the garden or entrance. Pot plants inside also help to sell a home. 4. Re-Paint Touch up any... ... read more

Understanding the Market

  Market Type   Characteristics   Implication for Sellers Buyer's Market Buyer's Market    Buyer's market  Supply of homes for sale exceeds buyers available Large number of homes for sale. Homes usually sell more slowly. Prices stabilize (or) sometimes decrease.   Buyers have more time to look before deciding. Sellers have less negotiating power. Buyers can make lower offers.  ... ... read more

Waiting for the right buyer

Many people think that the way to ensure their property sells for a high price is to inflate the asking price. In fact, the opposite is often the case. If a property is really overpriced, purchasers just sit back and wait to see what happens. If they've been looking around long enough to be ready to commit themselves, they've also made themselves very familiar with what they can get for their money and can recognise an overpriced property when they see one. Many even refuse to waste their... ... read more

Home Presentation

PREPARE THE OPEN HOME Turn lights on in dark areas and hallways Open Curtains, Blinds, Nets UNLESS the view needs to be hidden You may need to sweep flies off windowsills and dust the bench Does the house smell Try NIL ODOUR (a concentrate) Or air out the house prior Light the fire Remove personal photos from the wall Hide or remove valuable jewellery or trinkets Cook bread or roast. Don't let it burn! Flowers - Flowers - Flowers Perfumes and nice... ... read more

Is Your Property a Trust?

Trust   Company   Partnership   Nominee   ... read more

Getting Ready to Move

Staying in the same town Arrange quotations for removal companies. Change address on contents insurance. Cancel automatic payments for your current home. Cancel insurances on your current home, insure new home. Cancel newspapers, and arrange new delivery. Contact Telecom and arrange your telephone requirements. Contact your Power Board for final meter reading and new connection. (It is helpful to provide us with your ICP no for both your old and your new home.)... ... read more

Security in Your Home

SELF-AUDIT SECURITY CHECKLIST The Christmas season is coming up and many people will be out and about more or away on holiday, leaving their homes (and often expensive gifts) unattended. This checklist will help ensure that your place is secure in time for Christmas. Print this page and place a tick next to each point if your home complies. MAIN ENTRY / EXIT DOORS Are all external doors of a solid core construction? Are the doors fitted with a deadlock/deadbolt? ... ... read more

The Role of Your Real Estate Agent

The Role Of Your Real Estate Agent   Provide a realistic market appraisal.   Advise on the best method of sale.   Assist you in developing the most effective marketing plan.   Implement the marketing plan   Advise on presentation of your home to the purchasers as possible   Negotiate the best price with the purchaser.   Present any offer   ... ... read more

Instructions to vendors

Work as a team Mr & Mrs vendor , If as a seller you feel the agent has overlooked an important item , the advertising could be improved upon or the sales pitch strengthened please mention it . Some don'ts Don't discuss price with members of the community , leave this to the salesperson Don't allow a prospective purchaser to walk in off the street to have a look Music & pets Generally we turn off TV & radio although background music is okay Pets are to be... ... read more

Children and Moving

Moving can be a sad AND an exciting experience. Prepare the children for the move by telling them where they are going and what to expect. Ask them to tell you how they feel about it and listen so that you may reassure them all is okay, not getting too flamboyant or over enthusiastic about it, keeping it real. Kids can get upset, it is natural. Ask the kids to pack their own boxes. Story books are good. Young children live in the now, and they cannot see weeks ahead. In a... ... read more

Photos that sell

We believe we sell properties that other agents can not, because we try our best to take  better photos, write better advertisements and target the buyers . No one can say they are better, but we do try hard in this fundamental area. Digital cameras allow us to take hundreds of photos. We pick out the best 6-9. When you have an angle you like, we can go and redo this shot, moving perhaps a metre side to side or up or down to perfect the shoot. Taking photos on a dull day... ... read more

Home Presentation

Of course we can assist you in this area! Just give us a call! phone 06 355 55 22   PREPARE THE OPEN HOME Turn lights on in dark areas and hallways. Open curtains, blinds, nets UNLESS the view needs to be hidden. You may need to sweep flies off windowsills and dust the bench. Does the house smell of dogs or is it musty.  Try NIL ODOUR (a concentrate) or air out the house prior. Light the fire. Remove personal photos from the wall (why Because we want the... ... read more

Just Sold-What Now?

Congratulations on the successful sale of your home!  We at Tararua Realty Ltd are very pleased to have been able to assist in achieving this milestone . Just checking that we did our job correctly Did you get a copy of the Sales and Purchase Agreement ? Do you know if the deposit has been paid?    When do I get paid? On settlement day the Purchaser’s lawyer will transfer the money to the Vendor’s (the seller’s) lawyer. The memorandum... ... read more

What Advertisng Works Best?

Advertising Sometimes vendors think their property doesn't need to be advertised in order to sell it. While this may be true in some cases, it pays to remember that advertising increases the number of inspections; more inspections increase competition and it is competition that pushes up the price. But what kind of advertising works best? Experienced vendors usually know exactly what kind of advertising they want for their property, while those who have never sold before are... ... read more

Internet Advertising

Recommended marketing for your property at the beginning of the campaign.   Any recommendations that are reasonably priced, we certainly consider. Ask us what works best?  No Cost  www.realestate.co.nz No Cost www.open2view.com   (Includes a professional photographer ) around $200 www.tararuarealty.co.nz No Cost www.trademe.co.nz/ $149 We are quoting new... ... read more

Does Your Agent Have Buyers ?

How do vendors know whether the agent they list with will be able to attract purchasers to their property It is natural that vendors become preoccupied with the number and quality of inspections during the marketing of their property. After all, without inspections there would be no sale. Some vendors worry that there are not enough inspections - others occasionally think their property is being shown to unsuitable people. For example Mr and Mrs Vendor with steep stair access to their... ... read more

Home Presentation - Artworks

Aesthetics As a general rule, most art pieces should be hung at eye level. Of course eye level is different for different people, so this may not be much help; a more useful suggestion is to hang artworks approximately 60 inches from the floor. If your family is taller than average, you might want to raise it a little. An important piece of art that is to be a focal point over a sofa or other furniture item should be approximately two thirds the width of the lower item, and hung... ... read more

Moving Overseas

So you have made the big decision. It's time to pack your bags - and everything else that has been part of your life for many years - and head off for a new life in a far-flung destination. Your family and friends have told you that you are mad. They have said they will miss you forever, and asked the inevitable question: “What are we going to do without you" But now it is all on, and you are watching your life disappear in a big truck for the port. However, before that stage is... ... read more

Pricing your Property

Pricing Options When considering a major decision such as how to market your property there are many different factors to take into account. In the current market there are five main methods we use to find the best buyers for our vendors and each has their place: A Fixed Price Marketing Plan By Negotiation Plan By Auction Plan By Tender or Buyers From A Fixed Price Marketing Plan Setting an accurate asking price is a difficult task and cannot be... ... read more

The Advertising Plan

Advertising The best form of advertising targets the right buyers and promotes the propery and not the Sales Person / Agency. The Internet is becoming the primary way many people are searching for property.  7 out of 10 people in New Zealand make their initial foray into the real estate property market via the internet.  It is convenient, inexpensive and wide ranging.  It allows purchasers to remain anonymous until they are ready to buy.  Advertising increases... ... read more

How to Promote the Property

What advertising works best and where to advertise From our many campaigns and sale and marketing programmes over the years we have developed what we believe to be a good , broad, brush stroke campaign , where we aim to capture all interest and present the home in its best light to the person who will buy your home. Tim Kearins the principal of Tararua Realty was the first to advertise in colour in the local Property Press and continues to refine the marketing to suit the home sale and... ... read more

Listing Types

Now that you have found the right agent, it's time to decide on the selling method. As foolish as it would be to fit a round peg in a square hole, so it is a waste of time to sell a home with the wrong selling method. There are four methods to choose from: 1. Exclusive Agency     This option is recommended and gives you complete attention of your agent and attracts added bonus for the marketing of your property. Where a property is listed with only one agency... ... read more

Stimulating Competition

One of the hardest things for us in the current market is dealing with buyers who miss out on property. In many instances we have multiple offers. This situation requires careful handling. The biggest risk in a strong market is that another buyer may turn up at a later date who would have paid more. We have systems in place to manage this and a cohesive, cooperative team who work for you, the owner, to get the best price. It can take weeks for the market to get to know that your... ... read more

Web, Database and Email

Advertising Increases number of inspections which creates competition.  This in turn pushes up the price The best form of advertising targets the right buyers and promotes the propery and not the Sales Person- Agency Neighbour Marketing works because a large number of properties in New Zealand are sold to someone within a ten minute circle,  or to a friend who would like to live in the area. The Internet is becoming the primary way many people are searching for... ... read more

Preparing the Property for Sale

20 Helpful Hints on preparing your property for the market! When preparing your home for the market the general rule is to spend as little money as possible but small improvements in presentation can have a big payback. LAWNS - Keep mowed and trimmed, possibly re-seed bare patches and fertilize for colour. BUSHES, HEDGES & TREES - Trim and prune where necessary especially clearing any branches reducing light into the house or blocking attractive views. CLEAR or CLEAN off... ... read more

Assess Your Agents Website

If you are about to become a home seller, it's worth assessing your agent's website as well as their street presence before signing on the dotted line. More and more purchasers are making their first contact with properties for sale on the internet and even inexperienced web users soon work out how to differentiate user-friendly websites from time-wasters. Websites that get repeat visits get users to the information they want fast. Time is relative and in the Information Technology... ... read more

What do YOU Want

It is important WE know what you expect from us. H ow many times a week would you like to be contacted? H ow soon after we show a client your property would you like to know their response? W ould you like a weekly written report? H ow soon after we show a client your property would you like to know their response? W ould you like to be contacted prior to us showing a client through the property? H ow much notice would you like before we bought a client around? A... ... read more

Commonly Asked Questions

1. What Marketing do you do Without elaborating on it extensively, this CV gives you a brief idea of what we do and why we do it. We provide free of charge a campaign, which we find after many sales, works best. 2. What method should we use Have you had experiences with any of these methods before This might influence your decision Auction Tender Fixed Price Buyers Over Offers Over Set Sale Price Range Advertise with no price Price by Negotiation... ... read more

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