Why pacing yourself matters when selling a home

Once you have made the decision to sell your home in Thornleigh, Pennant Hills, Normanhurst or Westleigh, you’re likely to start feeling anxious about making your next move. You’ll find yourself perusing for sale listings and being frustrated that you can’t make an offer just yet. 

Selling your home is a marathon, not a sprint. We often notice clients start with a burst of energy then have a shift in mood because they are starting to burn out from the process. The good news is we are here to be your guide and make it easier, but here are some tips to help you ‘jog’ at a steady pace to sale and then settlement day. 

How to pace yourself during a home sale

1. Only do what’s necessary

It can be tempting to rush in and try to get everything done at once when you are preparing to sell your home. You want your place to be as desirable as possible and get the best price so it’s easy to get caught up in a frenzy of cleaning, packing and upgrades.

Preparing your home is essential to getting the most at sale, but doing too much may not be helpful in the long run. Sure, dress the house and fix minor issues, but you don’t need to knock down walls or add rooms if you aren’t going to make a decent return on the funds you're putting in.

In short, you shouldn’t spend more than you are going to make. To avoid this pitfall, it’s important to plan the changes you will make and talk in-depth with your real estate agent about what should be prioritised.

A spreadsheet of tasks will help. You can write down what needs doing and then arrange the tasks in the desired order, for example, cleaning and clearing a room and then painting it. 

2. Get your tradies and workers booked

With a list of what needs to be done and when, it’s time to start booking workers and tradies. We are always happy to give you advice and connect you with people who can help you get more done. 

The earlier you book painters, cleaners, window cleaners, and any other workers you’ll need, the more secure you will be that everything will be completed before open home day.

You may find there are some jobs you can do yourself but make sure you have the time. If you’re working 9 to 5 it might not be possible to find the energy after hours and on the weekends. 

3. Take care of yourself

Selling a property is stressful, and you need to take care of your well-being during the process.

Small steps, such as booking a meal box delivery and having a cleaner come in the morning before you have your home open or sending your pet to a friends’ place or kennel for a few days (if you can bear it) will take the pressure off.

Home opens are also a time to get out of the house, so if you can plan to meet up with friends, go to the movies or do whatever you enjoy doing while strangers are coming to see their potential new place.

When you’re in selling mode, some activities and engagements may need to be put on hold. Be upfront with your friends and colleagues about what you’re busy with, and be mindful about committing to too much. 

Remember you will have time to pack after you have accepted an offer; settlement can be six to twelve weeks so you don’t need to panic about this in the early stages. 

Keep your eye on the prize

A successful home sale can be the best tax-free money you make and it is worthwhile to give your full attention to the project. Outline your intentions and list your steps; you will find it easier to pace yourself and get the job done to the best of your ability.

Here are three things to keep in mind: 
 

- The activities you undertake in the leadup to a property sale are investments in a faster and better result
- You don’t have to do everything on your own. Your real estate agent is a resource to connect you with the extra pairs of hands you need and advise you throughout.  
- The next buyers are always around the corner. If you don’t have your home on the market by your target date it doesn’t mean you will miss out on a sale. What’s more important is to be confident you are creating the most positive first impression possible.

Need help selling your home? You’ve come to the right place. Reach out to Page&Co today.