They say change is the only constant in life, but how do you know when it\u2019s time to sell your home<\/a>?<\/strong><\/p>\n Rich Harvey, buyers\u2019 advocate and CEO of propertybuyer.com.au, explains the tell-tale signs and what to do next.<\/p>\n Lifestyle changes are often the reason behind the decision to sell. But keep in mind that the decision to sell may not coincide with the perfect market conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n For most Australian homeowners, the decision to stay or sell is linked to family, Harvey says.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are many and varied reasons why you might sell your house of course, but for many people, it\u2019s about the life cycle of their family,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n For many Australians, changing family needs are the main reasons for selling. Picture: Getty<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cIt may be the first or second baby arriving, making the house feel small and the need for a backyard more pressing or children growing into teenagers, who suddenly need their own space and somewhere to play Xbox.<\/p>\n \u201cThe trigger may also be kids growing up and leaving home, right through to downsizers, who don\u2019t need a family home anymore, but instead a low-maintenance unit, to allow them to travel in their retirement.<\/p>\n \u201cIt may be older people who come into money and can afford to upgrade,\u201d Harvey says.<\/p>\n The need for major, expensive renovations to make a property more modern or liveable can also be a catalyst for change.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are a lot of moving parts when selling, so lots of things to get in order.\u201d Harvey says.<\/p>\n First, where to next? \u201cYou need to work out where you are going to move to and for many people, this is a big, scary obstacle\u00a0\u2013<\/span> to find a new home that meets all their expectations and needs,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n This is where a buyers\u2019 advocate can be invaluable.<\/p>\n They specialise in searching, evaluating and negotiating the purchase of property on behalf of buyers Harvey says.<\/p>\n Buyers\u2019 advocates are independent, lead<\/a> buyers through the process and often have access to off-market properties.<\/p>\n Using a stylist helps to present the property in the best possible light for selling. Picture: realestate.com.au\/buy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Next is getting the home ready for market. \u201cDeclutter and freshen the property up, repair obvious problems and generally make it as appealing as possible to buyers,\u201d Harvey says.<\/p>\n He also recommends using a stylist to help present the property in the best possible light.<\/p>\n \u201cStyling really adds a whole other dimension, as it helps create an emotional connection, which is exactly what you\u2019re looking for as a vendor. A beautifully styled house sells the lifestyle, so when people come through, they can quickly and easily imagine themselves living there,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget outside, Harvey says. \u201cGive the garden a tidy up, trim the edges and plant some fresh flowers. First impressions are vital.\u201d<\/p>\n After choosing an agent, it\u2019s all about timing the sale. Picking when to sell is a key decision, Harvey says.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are two peak selling periods: the February to April pre-Easter season, then the spring season, from September to late November and many people choose to sell then.<\/p>\n Consider selling in winter if you have a blue-chip property in Sydney. Picture: realestate.com.au\/buy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cBut if I\u2019m selling in a blue-chip area, in Sydney for example, I would seriously consider selling in winter.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all about the number of buyers versus the number of sellers. In a suburb where there may be 200 properties on the market in a peak time, and only three in winter, guess what\u2019s going to happen? People still want to live there, regardless of the season,\u201d Harvey says.<\/p>\n
\n <\/p><\/div>\n Realestate au <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Is it time?<\/h2>\n
![\"family](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/24133301\/family-small-home_2000x1500.jpg?resize=2000%2C1501&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nGet ready\u2026<\/h2>\n
![\"styling](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/24132237\/styling-to-sell_800x600.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nHit the market<\/h2>\n
![\"blue-](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/24132902\/blue-chip-sydney_800x600.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n