What to do when selling your home feels like too much work- Let me work for you- 1.95% Commission Rate + $2,000 Towards Marketing (T&Cs Apply)
What to do when selling your home feels like too much work:
Many of us dream of moving to another home one day. But often, when we start thinking of thepractical implications ofgettingreadytomove, theobstacles start mounting and the dream ofa move becomes simply that - a dream.When you own a home, it's an emotional safe-haven and also an investment. Often the mostvaluable asset we own. So if we think of selling that asset, it stands to reason that we hope topresent it at its best and maximise its value.Our emotional side wants our home to look great before we open it to the public, and we knowthat improving presentation should add value and bring us the best possible price. Butpresenting a home at its best is no small feat and there can be a plethora of jobs involved:
●Painting exteriors, fences, interiors, doorways, window sills, whatever needs fresheningup.
●Tidying up our section, cutting back trees, removing weeds, creating a positive 'firstimpression'.
●Waterblasting paths, decks, cladding, gutters.
●Repairing overdue maintenance jobs that we have simply lived with up until deciding tosell.
●Sorting any outstanding building consents and chasing up paperwork.
●Decluttering, hiring storage units, clearing out the garage.
And that's just the standard prep. Many owners also need to decide whether to renovate areaslike kitchens and bathrooms pre-sale. Most of us simply don't have the time (or contacts) toproject manage all these tasks.
It's no wonder that once we build a mental to-do list of pre-sale activities, the idea of sellingbecomes way too stressful and we choose not to take action.
Butisthistherightapproach?
Should we allow this list of challenges to stop us from a move that might improve our quality oflife? Do we really need to present our home perfectly when going on the market?
The answer is simply, no. While any prep work you can undertake will likely help your saleprocess, if that list of outstanding jobs stops you from actually selling, then it doesn't matteranyway.
Sohereistherecommendation:
Decide first whether you need to move. If moving would improve your life then commit to makingit happen in a certain time frame (3/6/12 months). Then decide on what prep-work you can
reasonably undertake in the time you have available. Let go of anything that is impractical to tickoff the list.
Whatdoesthislooklikeinpractice?
You might commit to hiring a house-washer, a landscaper, and a handyman to tidy up a fewmaintenance jobs, but that a full-scale renovation is not possible, even though your home mightneed it.
Buyers appreciate well-presented homes, but they also like being able to add value themselves.They are looking at far more than superficial details. The key features of any home are thethings you can't easily change, like sun-aspect, location, access, space. It's those key featuresthat buyers are searching and paying for. Everything else is just a nice-to-have
It can be hard to take the leap to sell when your home is imperfect. Its shortcomings stick out tous because we are familiar with them. In our professional experience, owners place too muchemphasis on the parts of their home they don't like, and not enough on the redeeming factorswhich the next owner will fall in love with.
It's our job to emphasize the attractive aspects of your home when it comes time to sell. That'swhat we do best. It's also our job to help you decide which pre-sale activities will add the mostvalue, and which ones are simply nice-to-haves, but not essential.
Let us leave you with one last thought:
Don't let perfection get in the way of progress.
Your new home is out there waiting. Are you ready to go looking?
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84% Yes
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14.7% No
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1.3% Other - I'll share below
Spring gardening tips
Dreaming of a garden bursting with colour and fresh produce? Shane Fairbairn, Ryman Healthcare’s Landscape Manager, shares his top tips to make it happen. You’ll be set to create a gorgeous, relaxing space in no time - grab your trowel, and let’s dig in.
Click read more for more information.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.