The complete checklist for selling your Melbourne home

Every successful Melbourne property sale is made up of a hundred little steps. Taking these steps can seem stressful and overwhelming- however, if you know what to expect there’s no reason to worry. To make your life easier, use our checklist for Melbourne property sellers.

Deciding if the time is right

You’ll never fully commit to selling your home if you’re not sure it’s the right time. Before you take any steps towards a sale, think about if you and your family are ready for a move. Consider work, school and your current financial situation.

Choosing a real estate agent

If you’re sure now’s the right time, you should choose a real estate agent to get the ball rolling. Always select someone from your local area, with proven experience and a track record of positive results and happy clients. Don’t hesitate to meet a few agents and ask for references from past clients when choosing.

Making a post-sale plan

It’s important to get your post-sale plan in motion before you begin the process so that you know you’ll have a roof over your head when you leave. If you plan on renting a property, find a place and arrange a move in date as soon as possible. Your sales agent will be able to refer you to someone who can help with this.

If you’re buying, think about whether you’ll do so before or after your sale. Buy before and you may need bridging finance, whereas if you buy afterwards you may need to find somewhere to live while your property sells.

Seeking professional legal advice

Selling a property can be a complex. For that reason you’re going to need to engage a conveyancer (specialist property lawyer) to help with the sale. They’ll help check and draw up contracts and other necessary documents so that you can be sure everything is legally correct.

Understanding the market

Before you market your property for sale you should be absolutely sure that you understand what it’s worth. Your real estate agent should help with this by providing a sales appraisal and examples of similar sales in the area. It’s also worth doing your own research so that you can be confident the sale price is right.

Deciding on a sale price

After you and your real estate agent have done market research, it’s time to decide on a price that you’d be happy to sell your Melbourne property for. This should include a target – what you hope to get, and a reserve price – the minimum amount that you’d be happy to sell for. When deciding on this price you should keep all the market research you’ve done in mind, and consult with your sales agent.

Choosing a method of sale

There are several methods of sale to choose from, but generally, your sales agent will suggest an auction or tender.

• Auctions are usually best for properties that are in high demand and are likely to have several buyers. However, they are sometimes viewed as more stressful and high pressure.
• During a private sale your agent will run a campaign over several weeks and buyers will make offers during this period.

Don’t underestimate the importance of choosing the right method of sale and make sure you understand why your agent makes a choice.

Cleaning, fixing and dressing 

Buyers may see dozens of houses during their search, so small details may make all the difference. Clean every surface in your home so that it sparkles, fix any maintenance issues and remove clutter and personal items before an inspection.

Consider making cosmetic changes like adding a lick of paint if certain areas of your home are looking tired. It could also be worth hiring a professional property stager, particularly if you’re selling a high-end home.

Sale day

If you accept a buyers offer you’ll sign a sale contract. Your conveyancer will help ensure that your mortgage is discharged, the land title is correctly transferred and that the conditions of sale are properly met. After this, if the buyer’s finances are approved, the deal will go unconditionally. Congratulations!

Post-settlement and moving

Your contract will include a date that you have to exit the property and allow entrance to the buyer – usually your real estate agent will arrange this if you leave your keys with them. Before this date you should also make sure that you have:

• Booked movers.
• Packed up your possessions.
• Redirected your mail.
• Alerted your internet, gas and power companies that you’re moving.
• Arranged to move into your new home.

Some say that moving is one of the most stressful events in the average person’s life, but it doesn’t need to be. If you’ve got everything sorted before the day there’s no reason why settlement and moving should be difficult.

For help getting the best deal for your property, and making sure the process is as easy and stress-free as possible – get in touch with the team at your local Nelson Alexander office.