Expert tips for selling your Canberra property

There’s a lot to think about when selling your home, so we took some frequently asked questions to the experts.

I’m thinking of selling soon. How should I prepare my home?

First impressions count and a clean and tidy home can go a long way to ensuring a top price.

Independent Property Group Woden agent Jonathan Charles suggests turning your attention to the garden.

“Tidying the garden to present the property in its best light, trimming back trees and shrubs, weeding garden beds and ensuring that the boundaries of the land are outlined,” Charles says.

“It is really important to show that a property is low maintenance in the garden and the property is clean and tidy internally as well, no matter how new or old.”

Should I buy or sell first?

There’s no easy answer to this chicken-or-egg-style conundrum.

Belle Property Kingston principal Dan McAlpine says there are a number of factors to consider and finances will play a big role in the decision.

“Firstly, talk with your financial advisor or mortgage broker to see what you can and can’t do,” McAlpine says.

Selling first will provide more financial security, however you run the risk of having nowhere to go.

“This can be very costly as you may be required to rent a property or have temporary accommodation, plus it’s painful to move twice,” McAlpine says.

If you buy first you can take your time finding the right home.

Having two properties will also make it easier to present your home for sale, however it could mean the added pressure of paying off two mortgages, which is not always an option.

What’s the best time of year to sell?

Spring is often touted as the best time to sell a property, but Maria Selleck Properties director Maria Selleck says this is not always the case.

“There certainly are seasons where a home may look and feel ‘better’,” Selleck says.

“For example, a home with a pool and great outdoor entertaining areas would be significantly more appealing to potential purchasers in the warmer months than, say, in the middle of a cold Canberra winter.

“On the other hand, in the traditionally quieter months around winter, there are less properties in competition on the market but still the same demand from buyers as there is in summer, spring or autumn.”

Selleck says genuine buyers do not hibernate and she advises vendors to be guided by their individual needs and circumstances.

How do I choose the right agent?

In Canberra’s competitive property market there’s no shortage of agents looking to sell your home, but how do you know which agent is right for you?

It’s a decision Real Estate Institute ACT president Frank Pompeani says shouldn’t be rushed.

“I’d highly recommend talking to a minimum of three agents,” Pompeani says.

“You’re about to hand over your most valuable asset and trust is a big thing.”

Pompeani advises treating each meeting like a job interview. Have a list of questions that you would like to ask each agent.

Pompeani suggests asking about their recommendation for sales method, how they’ll arrive at a price guide and how they would negotiate with multiple interested parties.

And don’t forget to check references. Ask for the contact details of recent clients and ask them about their experience.

What sales method should I choose?

Luton Properties Dickson agent Greg Hedger says this will depend on personal circumstances.

Auctions typically result in fewer days on the market, but they can also be more stressful.

For some sellers, the stress of a short, sharp marketing campaign is worth the pay-off.

“They may have purchased elsewhere already, maybe it’s a deceased estate, they may want to upsize or downsize and are looking to sell quickly,” Hedger says.

“In those circumstances, an auction could potentially achieve their result a lot quicker. Other times, depending on market forces, a private treaty may be the way to go.”

Hedger says just over a third of properties at his agency are sold via auction.

“Our advice is always based on their circumstances,” Hedger says.

“It comes down to personal circumstances and having an agent who is able to explain all of the options.”

Perfect timescale

Buying off the plan gave Janet Gorst a 16-month window in which to prepare for her move.

“It gave me time to really purge,” Janet says.

She purchased the Kingston Foreshore apartment through Peter Blackshaw Manuka’s Albert Stavaruk and decided he would be well placed to sell her Isaacs townhouse.

She knew he would be able to plan the sale to match the construction timeline of her new home, but she says he also made the process easy.

“I was very lucky,” Janet says.

“He kept me up to date, gave good advice and got a deal for me that I was very pleased with.”

She sold her Isaacs home via private treaty, a method she felt comfortable with.

Low-maintenance apartment living will give the keen traveller more time to see the world. Ireland and Africa are next on the list.

Cover property

12a Cobby Street, Campbell
About $3 million
5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 parking spaces
Auction on Saturday, March 4, at 11am, onsite
Inspect on Saturday and Sunday, 11am-noon and Wednesday, 5-6pm
Peter Blackshaw Manuka, Mary Debus and Willy Huys, 0414 623 876 or 0408 487 209

This elegant five-bedroom house is set in a highly prized pocket of Campbell backing Mount Ainslie Reserve.

Positioned on a separate-title, 1184-square-metre block, it offers resort-style living on the fringe of the city.

A grand entrance opens to the formal lounge and dining rooms, complete with high ceilings, full-height windows and a Cheminees Phillippe fireplace.

A north-facing, open-plan living area provides the perfect venue for informal entertaining, flowing on to the terrace and swimming pool.

The black and white French provincial kitchen acts as the home’s centrepiece and it is equipped with a Belling gas range, integrated fridge and separate breakfast bar.

The master suite is positioned on the ground floor and features a full bathroom, generous study and access to the rear terrace.

Four bedrooms and two bathrooms are on the upper floor along with a sunny living room, balcony and views over the pool and bushland.

There’s plenty of room to park with a three-car garage and circular driveway. Other features include central heating, reverse-cycle air conditioning and private, professionally landscaped gardens.​