Thinking of taking advantage of the bullish resale market? So are many others. As transactions in 2021 double that in 2020, both demand and supply are growing in tandem. How can you, a homeowner looking to sell, compete in this tight space?
Here are 3 hacks to complement your realtor’s effort in nailing high prices and fast results.
Stage your home to pass the vibe check
Homestays aren’t new, but what makes Airbnb so much more appealing than its predecessors? Answer: they vet photos of listings before they go live. The good news is: that you don’t have to be IKEA’s visual merchandiser or rent new furniture to spruce up a home that’s been lived in.
For starters, swap printed linen around the house out for clean, white (or solid-coloured) ones. Everyone’s into the minimalist look these days, and we’re not sure your kids’ Angry Birds bedsheets fit the brief. Got a couch that looks dented or cracked? Simply place a throw over it and prop up some cushions.
Try to photograph your home when natural lighting is most abundant and avoid relying on fluorescent light or your camera’s flash. Shoot from your room’s corners and use the grid lines on your phone’s camera function to ensure your shot is straight.
Buying a home is as much an emotive decision as a logical one, and evoking a homely feeling is half the game won.
Reframe the negative characteristics of your home
South-facing, single floor plate, and high floors. These are just a few of our buyers’ favourite things. But no home is perfect, and it’s okay if you do not check off every last criterion on their wishlist. Acknowledge potential “deal breakers” and re-angle them with personal experience.
You may not offer a sea view, but the park view could offer a welcome respite for the eyes when working from home. The unit may be west-facing, but humidity will be the least of your worries especially when Singapore’s monsoon seasons are growing erratic. Besides, innovations in the market such as cooling window films could be a permanent workaround.
After all, there are no bad units. There’re only units that need to find the right buyers.
Narrow the gap between your asking price and ideal sale price
It is ingrained in Singapore’s bargaining culture to ask for a higher price with the expectation that buyers will try to push it down. Surprisingly, it is the reverse in other markets because buyers are fine to pay a premium.
As transactions are occurring at a fast pace, the “margin” we budget for negotiation has to be smaller so we do not lose out in terms of speed. In an extremely competitive climate, it helps to price your home closer to the desired closing price. Adapting your pricing strategy to the market activity helps you to stay attractive to home seekers.
Act fast but think smart
Amid long waits for BTO units and transitions to work-from-home in the pandemic, Singaporeans’ need for space has never been more pressing. However tempting it may be, don’t rush in before optimising your listing for both transaction speed and price.
Need more perspective? Feel free to reach out to me.
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