When the Holmz team come across a seller who is looking to sell their property, the first thing that comes to their minds is; what is it about this home that will buyers like? This is the first thing that we look for in our new properties, as the old saying goes "first impressions are everything".
We sat some of our best agents down and asked them what features or attributes sets a property apart from its neighbours, or even better, what attracts a buyer.
What Sets Apartments Apart
This was quickly answered when asking our team "what sets apartments apart". Their immediate response was:
Kitchen size
Bedroom size
When it comes to apartments, these two areas are vital for buyers. They understand that they are looking at an apartment, however when they are greeted with a large, well thought out kitchen, and a large and spacious bedroom, the decision to purchase becomes a lot easier. So, if you are thinking to sell, and your apartment has a large kitchen, and large bedroom sizes, be warned; agents will fight over your property.
Other areas that our team said was; if the apartment is looking onto another apartment, this reduces privacy and is a slight deterrent for some buyers. If your apartment has a covered balcony, and is looking away from your complex, or has a view, you've got a gem! If your apartment has a garage, the value immediately goes up.
With the above in mind, please don't overvalue your apartment, be realistic in what you think your property is worth. There are a lot of apartments for sale in South Africa at the moment. And no matter where you are in the country, there will always be a better deal for buyers, the magic trick is leveraging the features and attributes that set it apart, to justify the price.
What Sets Houses Apart
When our team were asked "what sets a house apart", it was answered with this question: "Is the house in a cluster/estate or secure environment?". This is a classic example of the first thing a buyer looks for when searching for a new home, the core attribute here is security. Security is a commodity in the South African property industry, and buyers are willing to pay for it. So, if your property is in a genuinely secure estate, this can justify your price.
When asked "what else sets a house apart from others?", our agents said:
Layout
Garden size
Entertainment spaces
General finishings
Modern designs
Location, location, location
Without a doubt, the second thing that a buyer sees when looking at a house is location. If the house is in a suburb, tucked away from traffic and main roads, you have a desirable property. If the property is well sized with a well-kept garden, good entertainment spaces, an open-plan design with a modern design inside and out, with good finishings and in a secure environment, buyers will fight for your property.
However, as with apartments, keep in mind that price is the ultimate decider for potential buyers. Remember, if you have the above attributes and more, you can use this to justify the price of the property. However, if you get too greedy with your price, and place it in a bracket that is on-par with larger, more desirable properties, you are doing yourself, and your property, an injustice.
All things in the property industry are relative, and there is no template for what is desired from buyers, as their needs and wants in apartments, and houses, is constantly changing with time. The best way to find out if your property will sell, is to give Holmz a call and get a realistic valuation from us.
With Holmz, you get The Better Home Buying & Selling Experience.
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