That was quick! Auckland home sells just two days after listing! Tips to help you sell quickly in a buyer’s market

Auckland home sells just two days after listing

 

Under multiple pressures, New Zealand’s property market has shifted into a buyer’s market. Many homeowners have repeatedly cut their asking prices and even tried creative incentives such as giving away cars, yet a large number of properties still fail to sell within their owners’ preferred timeframe.

 

But one Auckland home recently proved an exception. Many people consider the Christmas period a quiet time for buying and selling homes. However, this owner listed their home two days before Christmas in 2022 and completed the entire transaction before Christmas Eve was over—just two days from listing to sale!

 

The three-bedroom brick-and-tile home is on Nile Road in Milford on Auckland’s North Shore. Harcourts agent Nikki Duke, who brokered the sale, said both she and the vendor were surprised by how quickly it sold.

 

 

Duke admitted that listing it was initially something of a gamble, as people might already have given up on buying that year so close to Christmas.

 

“There weren’t many properties around, so we put up photos and signage, thinking people could come and have a look if they were bored.”

 

Instead, Duke received a call from interested buyers just an hour after the listing went live. They viewed the property on the Friday before Christmas and managed to persuade a building inspector and a lawyer to complete the necessary paperwork on Saturday, Christmas Eve.

 

“By the end of the day, we had received an unconditional offer.”

 

 

Duke said many buyers had missed out on a very similar nearby home, which sold immediately after its auction in late November. It fetched NZ$1,380,000, slightly below its CV of NZ$1,470,000.

 

 

“This is good news. It shows that if owners are willing to meet the market and accept prices comparable properties have achieved, their homes can sell. There are buyers in the market with pre-approved finance. If homeowners are prepared to meet the market and present their homes well, good results are still possible.”

 

 

 

Tips to help you sell your home quickly

 

Do you also have a property you hope to sell? The YIJU editorial team has compiled some tips to help you achieve a quick sale:

 

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Have all your documents ready

 

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It would be frustrating to have an interested buyer, only for your paperwork to hold up the sale. But it can happen.

 

Paperwork can cause delays at several stages of a home sale. When buyers first express interest, they may want to see documents such as the title or floor plans. As the sale approaches, being able to provide a building report or LIM report could save everyone considerable time.

 

 

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Price your property correctly from the outset

 

Getting your property’s price right from the outset is undoubtedly a top priority.

 

A good price does not mean “cheap”; it means a price that reflects the market. A new listing attracts the most views during its first two to three weeks, after which interest declines. To sell quickly, you therefore need to make the most of that early window and price your home to attract the strongest interest. If your home has been on the market for a while without generating the buyer enquiries you expected, your pricing is probably wrong.

 

So how do you know what your home is worth? Several options can help: valuation websites, appraisals by real estate agents and professional property valuers.

 

It is also important to follow the latest property news before putting your home on the market, particularly news about your local area. If the market suddenly changes direction, you may need to adjust your price at the last minute.

 

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Home staging and photography

 

When preparing a property for sale, you can hire a property stylist to furnish it, with the furniture potentially hired for around six weeks.

 

Staging your home can help create an emotional connection with potential buyers while presenting your property at its best.

 

The next step is to hire a professional photographer to photograph your home. Attractive photos are more likely to catch potential buyers’ attention.

 

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Choosing a sale method

 

Alongside price, you need to consider how to sell. If you are unsure, start by researching your local market. Popular methods include sale by negotiation and auction. An auction campaign can also be particularly effective if you are open to pre-auction offers.

 

Hiring a professional real estate agent undoubtedly improves your chances of a quick sale through the systems, expertise and contacts they provide. Open homes are important, and you should also be ready for viewings and second inspections at any time. Keep following up with your agent for feedback from potential buyers.

 

While looking for ways to sell quickly, you may encounter investment companies offering a quick “sale” by buying your home themselves. However, their offers are usually well below its true market value, so take care.