Get ready to sell this spring

All over South Africa, there are signs that spring is on its way - along with the usual seasonal upturn in housing demand.

"Rising interest rates have caused the rate of house price growth to slow this year," says Gerhard Kotzé, MD of the RealNet estate agency group, "and that is currently strengthening demand from buyers who are worried that they won't be able to qualify for a home loan if the rate trend continues into next year.

"In addition, September is prime buying season for those who are planning to relocate or semigrate and get settled in their new home by the start of the next year."

He says: "We know there are some prospective buyers who believe that SA will face a recession and a housing slump similar to those expected in Europe, the UK, the US and various other markets, and that they should wait for prices to fall before making a purchase.

"And on the other hand, there are some sellers who believe the market is really finely balanced now and forsee that prices will start to rise more rapidly again next year due to a shortage of supply.

"However, our advice to serious sellers is not to worry about trying to time the market, but to do everything possible to get their homes show-ready ahead of the spring surge. Selling fast will also free them to benefit from the current price slowdown when buying their own new homes.

And with that in mind, here are the top five ways to put your home at the top of any buyer's wish list:

- Appoint an experienced and successful estate agent to help you to market your home effectively and sell it within your time frame.

- Price right the first time. Be guided by your agent to set a competitive asking price that will attract offers soon after the home is listed. Buyers are well informed and value conscious and will simply leave any property that they perceive to be overpriced "on the shelf", so it is vital to get their attention for the right reasons.

- Tackle your to-do list. Every home owner has a list of small fixes that they plan to make "someday", but when planning to sell, these really need to get done sooner rather than later. Small things like a cracked window pane or slightly dripping tap might not bother you at all, but they will make many prospective buyers wonder what else might be wrong with the property - and cost them money to fix.

- Spruce up the exterior. Make a really good first impression on buyers who come to view your home with a well-maintained garden, even if it's tiny, and a fresh coat of paint.

- Light up the interior. Today's home buyers love natural light and uncluttered spaces, so take the time to remove all personal items such as family photos, trophies and ornaments as well as any heavy curtains or dark blinds. It's also worth installing modern light fittings where necessary and giving floors and carpets a really thorough clean.