Forrestfield 
Get ready to sell your home in spring
Spring may seem a long time away but if you want to take advantage of the busiest selling season, autumn and winter are the time to start getting prepared.
Take the following steps so you can spring into action and list your home in September.
1. Choose your selling agent
Finding a suitable selling agent with a few months up your sleeve is the first step to selling your home in spring. If you start now, you will have the time to shop around. Talk to different agents and ask them the following questions:
How much do you think my property is worth and why?
How will you represent the sale of my home?
What will your selling strategy be?
Once you have asked two or three agents these questions, you will have an idea of which one will suit you best.
There are two things to keep in mind; firstly that you need to have a good feeling about working with the agent. Next, if one agent suggests an amount far higher than the others, find out why before you commit to working with them.
2. Start decluttering and tidying
Get stuck into tidying and decluttering with as much lead time as you can. Hire a skip or take a trip to the tip and get rid of all your rubbish.
This is also the time to pack up and store away personal items. It may not be the most fun to live without your things for a few months, but it’s for the best in the long run as you will be able to present buyers with a clean slate.
3. Research the market
Start dipping your toe in the market to see what’s out there. If you are selling, you will most likely be buying as well. Talk to your agent and start planning your next moves. This is the time to get a feel for what you should expect to pay for your new place.
While you’re researching the market, start figuring out your finances. Talk to your lender or broker and get the ball rolling on loan pre-approval for your next purchase, or work with a financial advisor to figure out what to do with a surplus if you’re planning to downsize.
4. Organise a deep clean
Any home that’s been lived in for a few years will need a deep clean so take care of the following: 
High pressure clean the exterior
Wipe down walls and surfaces in every room
Remove any mould or stains
Clean the windows
Wipe the inside of drawers
Wash curtains or drapes
Dust blinds
Clean carpets
All these and more can make a difference in how potential buyers view your home. If you’re busy, book some cleaners and ask them to show up a week or so before you intend to hold your first home open.
5. Fix minor problems
Walk through the house with the eyes of a potential buyer and find all the minor issues. Whether you hire someone or do it yourself, small details like cracks in the ceiling can have a big impact. Do the same in the garden and yard.
If you have an older home, it might be wise to request a building inspection. This will give you a heads up about any serious issues so you’re not surprised when buyers come to you with their reports.
6. Talk to a property stylist
A stylist can help you get your home just right for your photos and home open. Make sure you have plenty of time for this expert to come in and help you make the relevant changes. Talk to your agent about the benefits you might derive from hiring a property stylist; by adding or removing some key pieces of furniture you have the potential to add several thousand dollars to your sale price.
7. Plant the garden
A beautiful, blooming garden is one of the reasons to sell your home in spring. Do your research and find out what plants will flower and look their best at the end of winter. Get them planted well in advance so that your garden is in full bloom when it comes time for your home open.
Spring is when buyers are at their most active, and your home is less likely to come across as too cold or hot. Give yourself lots of lead time so you can minimise the stress involved with selling.
