Consider the following points:

- In simple terms, the price your property will bring is determined by what someone is prepared to pay. This is influenced by recent sales in the area, other properties currently for sale, and the way in which your property is marketed. Details of Recent Sales and Current Competition pertaining to your property are set out in the Comparative Market Analysis we have specifically prepared for your property. Working together, we can use this information to establish a realistic sale price for your property.

* Values are increased

* Houses sell more quickly

* Buyers have fewer homes to choose from

* The seller has more negotiating power

Buyers Market

* More homes for sale than buyers

* Buyers have more properties to choose from

* Sellers have to compete with each other in price

* In this market homes usually take longer to sell

Balanced Market

* There are as many buyers as sellers

* It is how you market your home that will make it sell

At the moment, we are experiencing a balanced market - buyers are taking longer to make a decision and are being more cautious. A realistic selling price will mean less time in the market place.

Before embarking on any marketing campaign, it is of vital importance to identify our target market. Not only can it be very wasteful in terms of time and money, but targeting the wrong group of people can sometimes prove absolutely futile.

At the same time you would be aware there are quite a number of properties on the market in your area at the moment, and for this reason it is imperative that we put YOUR PROPERTY ON A PEDESTAL, to ensure that it gets the attention it deserves and that you get the results you want.

In preparing an individual marketing plan for you that is both "economically responsible" and at the same time "hard hitting", we have found it necessary to take a multi level approach. This multi level approach effectively targets the following groups of buyers:

    1)  Internet database of buyers

    2)  Local Residents

    3)  Internal database (inter-office) of buyers

It is important to us that you are comfortable with all aspects of the marketing of your property and the choice of advertising campaigns is no exception.

Local Residents

Exposure to local residents is facilitated by way of the Harcourts New Farm "For Sale" sign, door knocking and direct mail. This has proved to be an amazingly cost effective method of promoting property in your area.

Internal Database of Buyers

Due to our Team being active in the workplace, we have created a large database of buyers from our internet enquiries, walk-ins, phone-ins, and referrals. Out of this database alone we have had several contracts commence once we have matched them with the properties that we list.

As we also advertise extensively with the Inner City Property Guide for Brisbane and also in the Courier Mail, we also reap the benefits of having generated a substantial amount of interest in the listings that we have sold and are currently marketing.

Outside

Outdoor furniture gives a look of leisure and enjoyment of a house.  If you don't have any - borrow it and arrange some attractively.

- Trim lawns, including nature strips, flower beds, flower pots and keep the yard tidy.

- Pick up papers and rubbish in the street, to give the impression of a tidy neighbourhood.

- Don't leave junk mail hanging out of the letter box, prune hedges and cut back over hanging shrubbery.

- Spread new gravel on the unsealed drives, sweep and hose down cobbled or paved drives and patio areas.

- Remove oil stains in carports, drives or garages and tidy the garage by making sure the tools and equipment are neatly stacked.

- Be security conscious and don't leave things around for strangers to knock into or trip over.  No matter how much someone likes the house, they will be less appreciative of it's attractions if they sprain an ankle by accidentally stepping on a rake.

- Keep the swimming pool at it's sparkling best.

- Make sure garden gates open easily and quietly.

- Don't leave clothes on the clothes line.

- Make sure the barbeque is cleaned.

- Wash down the outside walls.

- Clean all outside blinds and awnings.

- Clear the gutters.

- Clean all the windows.

- Make sure the front doorbell works.

Paintwork

Clean marks off walls with a mild household detergent and a soft cloth. Don't rub too hard, or the paint will rub off. Avoid repainting walls unless the entire house is to be painted. If you choose to paint, use soft neutral tones such as creams or beiges that will appeal to most people. Dark colours make rooms look smaller, light colours open up areas. Touch up skirting boards, architraves and door frames. It is surprising how much cleaner the rooms will look if an hour is spent going around the house with a pot of paint.

Repairs

A few quick repair jobs done on the weekend will make all the difference to giving the house a cared-for appearance.

- Oil squeaking doors and plane doors that stick.

- Re-paste peeling wallpaper.

- Repair dripping taps and remove water stains from tubs and basins.

- Fix broken or loose tiles and clean dirty grouting and bathroom and kitchen tiling.

Take down exhaust fans and clean them. Nothing looks worse than grease and dust caked fans. All buyers instinctively look up at ceilings.

Before the Inspection

- Clean all light fittings and put in bright 100 watt bulbs.

- Position all furniture to make rooms look big and easy to walk around, but don't do this at the last moment or there will be marks left on the carpet.

Kitchen

- Get rid of kitty litter trays and dog bowls.

- Take pets away with you when leaving the house for the inspections.

- Polish taps, display a large bowl of fruit and clean all chrome appliances to a good shine - shiny items give sparkle to a room.

- It goes without saying not to leave dishes in the sink or even on the drain board.

- Do not cook curry, onions or fish the previous night. If necessary, spray kitchen with room freshener.

- Unless a child is a future Michaelangelo, take the kindergarten paintings off the fridge door, delightful as they are, they won't help sell the house.

Bathroom

- Place all cosmetics, razors and toiletries into a drawer, hang towels neatly.

Living Areas

- Clear away the day to day mess of family living, but at the same time give a homely, lived-in look. Turn off the television!

- Turn on central or other heating in winter, and air-conditioning in summer. People will stay to look longer if they feel comfortable.

- Sometimes money must be spent to make money. Don't begrudge steam-cleaning carpets if needed.

Hall

- Keep this area as uncluttered as possible. Remember, there will be many more people in the house at one time than is usual in a family house.

- People shouldering past each other will give the impression of lack of space, unless as many obstacles as possible are removed from major walkways.

Decorative Hints

- Put healthy green plants in the kitchen, bathroom and anywhere else they will look attractive, such as on the verandah.

- Green, leafy plants always improve an interior environment. Rent, beg or borrow enough plants to do a good job. Put fresh flowers around the house as for a special occasion.

- Lock away any valuable china, books, silver collections or other important items.

- Leave all connecting doors wide open to give a feeling of space.