Advice Centre

Where do I start?

Before you market your property, look at what you can do to maximize its value. A general cleanup is essential - a tidy interior and neat exterior will give your home a cared-for look at little cost. Print off our 5 tips to maximizing your sale price.

How do I set the price?

Learning what similar properties are selling for is a good place to start - visit QV Quotable Value Limited to see what similar properties in your area have sold for. A registered valuation is a great idea - valuers charge only a fraction of your overall sale price (about $400) and the valuation will be a useful sales tool.

We recommend setting a "Negotiable Over" price, as this gives buyers an idea of the price of the property, yet still leaves room for negotiation. Try to refrain from NPM (No Price Marketing) or POA (Price on Application).

Do I need a lawyer?

You can complete your own sale and purchase agreement if you wish, but a lawyer will provide both parties with reassurance in dealing with the legal details. Your lawyer can also answer questions about any legal aspect of the sale or the documents involved. Need to find a lawyer?

How should I advertise?

On houses.co.nz of course. Houses.co.nz gives sellers the ability to market their property to buyers throughout the world. We will help you with email support along the way and give you access to everything you need to successfully market your property. Click here to find out more about selling your property.

You should ...

Advertise on houses.co.nz

Houses.co.nz receives up to 6 million hits a year from prospective purchasers from New Zealand and overseas. With packages starting from only $29.95 this is the most cost effective way to advertise your property.

Have a professional sign

This is a must have. You will be surprised at the number of people that will see your sign and look up your property on houses.co.nz for more information before contacting you, so chose a houses.co.nz package that includes a sign.

Include photos in your listing

Colour photos are great advertising tools.

Take as many as you like using a digital camera (don't have a digital camera? Post the pictures to us, please email us for details). Take photographs of both inside, and outside in different lights and from different angles.

Remember these are the photographs that will give the first impression of your property, so take the time to move any vehicles or other items, mow lawns etc. Simple things like a bottle of wine and glasses on an outside table can enhance the mood of a photo. Select your best photo, this will be your main photo and will be used for features, signs and brochures etc.

Depending on what listing package you chose, you will need 3, 6, 9 or 15 photos.

Run Open Homes

When selling your home, having an Open Home gives potential buyers the opportunity to look through your home and decide if it is exactly what they are looking for.

It also gives you a chance to present all the features of your property. Remember to enter the Open Home dates into your listing and read our Open Home Guide.

Have brochures ready

Pick a houses.co.nz listing package that includes brochures. They go on selling after your visitor has left, continually bringing your property to their mind. They also add a professional touch to your marketing, so chose a listing package that includes brochures.

You could ...

Have photos on your sign

Both our Deluxe and Premium Listing Packages include a professional sign with a photo of your property.

Have a Home Page Feature

A Home Page Feature on houses.co.nz suggests a "better/special property" If you have a special property, you should consider our Premium Listing Package which includes a Home Page Feature.

When interest is shown...

Reply to all enquiries promptly.

When someone shows interest by phone or email offer to send out more information or for them to come and view or re-view the property.

Invite them to present an offer (a sale-and-purchase agreement is supplied with most packages). Don't be afraid to do this, if you are relaxed about this process, they will feel reassured and if serious negotiations begin, you can pass them on to your lawyer at any stage to check the document before either party signs.

If you haven't heard back from a party you felt was very interested within 48 hours then contact them to make sure they have all the information they need. If they decide not to proceed with an offer they may be able to give you valuable feedback on your homes price and presentation.

When little interest is shown...

Look closely at the price and presentation of your property, these two factors are generally the main reason a property hasn't sold.

Consider spending a small amount to increase the perceived value of your property. Print off our 5 tips to maximizing your sale price and our Open Home Guide to find out more.

Above all be positive and persistent.

Still not sure about selling yourself? Click here to Find an Agent who uses houses.co.nz