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When the time comes for you to put your home on the market, make an effort to select the right agent. Find an agent who is familiar with your type of property. Ask for transaction data. Check to see if the agent is a member of the Institute of Estate Agents ( IEA ) and if yours is an HDB unit, make certain that the agent is a Listed Housing Agent. Interview the agent to ensure he has the knowledge and the skill required to successfully market your property. Most importantly, you must appoint one exclusive agent and allow him to conduct his duties in a professional manner.

Why Exclusive ?

Exclusive Authorisation means a dedicated agent handling the entire marketing process ensuring full discretion and personal reporting.
Exclusive agents are more willing to share listing information thus ensuring the widest possible coverage within the real estate community thru Multiple Listings and Networking.
All prospective buyers will be carefully screened by a single agent with your requirement and scheduling in mind thus ensuring a peace of mind marketing effort.
Accepting a serious offer is easier since your agent is fully aware of all marketing activity associated with your property. This reduces your having to check with several agents for any other offers. Price control is easily achieved.
An Exclusive Agent is authorised to negotiate on your behalf since you both have a customised marketing strategy, thus resulting in a faster closure at the best possible price.
Most successful real estate transactions are conducted thru exclusive agency - the preferred method by both agents and sellers.

Formulating a Marketing Strategy

Get your agent to prepare a Comparative Market Analysis ( CMA ). The CMA will clearly illustrate the transacted prices of similar properties in your neighbourhood within a given time span. Discuss and finalise the asking and the reserve price for your property and any special conditions that you might have. Formulate and agree on a marketing strategy.

Preparing your home for sale

First Impressions are really important! Taking some time out to present your home in its best possible light can provide a big advantage when your Property Consultant shows your home to a prospective Buyer.

To assist in preparing your home for sale, here are a few suggestions which may help.

Exterior Impressions

Clear the outside areas and remove any unsightly items.
Paint work in good repair-discuss with your Property Consultant if major works are still to be done.
House number and tidy letterbox in easy-to-see position.
Gutters cleaned and in good repair.
Garage/Car Porch clean and tidy.
Garbage tidied or cleaned away.
Any cracked or broken windows repaired.
Hedges, shrubs trimmed, edges and lawn cut.

Front Entrance

Ensure the entrance way is clean, tidy and uncluttered.
Door bell or knocker works.

General Interior Impressions

All chipped paint repaired and give stained walls a paint touch-up.
Cracked plaster repaired, wallpaper tidy.
Doors, windows, cupboard latches open and close easily.
Repair loose doorknobs.
Lights-all working. If needed leave some lights to create ambience.
Cool home if weather is hot.
Ensure halls/stairways tidy and clean of clutter.
Curtains should be open, carpets freshly vacuumed.
Remove all unnecessary boxes, old furniture and other junk.
If possible, have cut flowers in various rooms.
Loud noises distract. Eliminate any possible distraction of the buyer.
Some people are uneasy around animals and they may distract the buyer's attention. If you have pets, it's suggested they be kept out of the way.

Bathrooms

All surfaces- mirrors, fixtures, taps, tiles cleaned and polished.
All taps in good order.
Seals around bath and basin in good repair.
Repair leaky pipes.
Floors cleaned, rubbish containers emptied.
Cupboards and cabinets neat and tidy inside.

Kitchen

Sinks and taps cleaned and polished.
All appliances cleaned
Small appliances should be put away to avoid cluttered look. Table tops cleaned and polished. Cupboards neat and tidy.
Clear rubbish bin if any.

House Viewing

Buyers usually ask many questions when being shown through the house. If you have a real estate agent, your immediate presence isn't required at the viewing. If you insist on following the potential buyer around, do not discuss terms, price, etc. Leave the details to your agent.

Accepting the right offer

Successful marketing efforts bring in several offers. The dilemma facing all sellers is which offer to accept. Smart money would be on the highest offer with the least attached conditions. Not all buyers would be willing to wait too long for an acceptance of their offer. Effective negotiating requires being prompt. If you feel it's a fair offer for your property, it is wise to negotiate immediately and enter into a sales contract. It may never be repeated. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Always discuss with your agent as to the eligibility of the buyer, completion period, and your legal obligations as a seller.

Completing the Sale

It is the sellers obligation to hand over the property upon legal completion as agreed in the contract. In the case of a HDB flat, vacant possession is a requirement. Plan your move early to prevent a last minute rush. Remove all your belongings and discard any unwanted furniture and rubbish. Ensure that all fixtures and items in the inventory list are left behind. Invite the buyer (as required by HDB) for an inspection before completion. In the case of private properties, they can be sold with existing tenancy or vacant possession. The sales contract will specify your legal obligations. Check with your agent if you are in doubt.

Commission

The Institute of Estate Agents (IEA) has finalised and published the recommended commission / fee for real estate transactions. Service is not about cutting cost. The commission you pay will determine the marketing budget available to your agent. Since you want the best possible price for your property, be prepared to pay for a good agent as it will make the difference between a successful closure or a lost opportunity. Remember, if you pay peanuts, you will ultimately get monkeys.

We are most willing to assist you in selling your properties.
Kindly e-mail us using the forms or call us @ (65) 9838 0220. You may also feel free to explore our online property classifieds listings searches for reference.

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