So what exactly IS the Kyneton style?

When you think about Kyneton, what images spring to mind?

Is it the bluestone architecture or the home overlooking the rambling Campaspe River? Or perhaps it is the rich agricultural pastures or the cosy village vibe?

Whatever image you conjure, it is true that Kyneton has its own distinctive style.

Here is a little of what you might find in and around Kyneton.

The Definitive Weatherboard

      

A mainstay of classic Australian architecture, the weatherboard is particularly prominent within the Kyneton township. And grey is the colour of the moment. Exterior palates in grey tones across Kyneton bring forth an understated elegance.

1960-80s Brick Veneer

This era of homes is dotted throughout town with delightful gardens populating the brick veneer surrounds. Introduced shering in a conservative and plain brick veneer style suited to the working class roots of Kyneton and surrounds.

The Classic Victorian Style

Dotted throughout the region are classic Victorian homes that are still as stylish as ever. Once owned by prominent commercial and community leaders, a classic Victorian residence is possibly attainable if they appear on the market.

 

Architectural Designs

From the unique to the fabulous pre-fab, Kyneton is dotted with some award-winning and highly desired architectural designed residence. Contemporary meets country is a perfect abode for this thriving community.

Modern Australian Family Home      

Modern Australian families find themselves in modern Australian homes that are affordable and exemplify good design. Kyneton is a growing community so it is not uncommon to find pockets of houses ready for the modern Aussie family.

The Checklist for Evaluating a Home

When house hunting, it can be fun to look through homes that you could potentially call your own. But keep in mind that you are not doing this just for fun. Try not be distracted by decorative tricks that might otherwise hide a structural anomaly.

My recommendation for prospective buyers is to use an Evaluation Checklist to keep track of the most important aspects of the homes you see.

Use the Evaluation Checklist (Link here: The-Checklist-for-Evaluating-a-Home-Feb-2018-2.pdf) when you become seriously interested in a house. It will support you from seeing the property from a less emotional position and make a better and more informed decision.

Do not use this list as a substitute for hiring a Building and Pest Inspector to check out the house thoroughly.  Engaging your own building and pest inspector should be part of your own due diligence before committing to a sale.

New Year resolutions for sellers who haven’t sold yet

*This article originally appeared in the January 2018 Midland Express

A lot of people have resolved to sell your home this year.  With people recovering from Christmas and ready to start forging ahead with their New Year’s goals, it is a great time to take the plunge and get your house on the market.

But what happens if you house has been on the market for a while and hasn’t sold? The Kyneton market is certainly hot but there could be a small reason why your home hasn’t shifted. If you’re really dedicated to selling your house this year, you need to take decisive action.

A couple of things to think about:

  1. Reinvent your listing

Let’s be honest, if you’ve been trying to sell for quite a while without little interest, it might be time to shake things up.  Often a price adjustment can make a listing sell much swifter. Sometimes just a refresh of your marketing is enough to target new buyers ready to launch into 2018.This could include changing the copy about the property, a new heading about the property or using different hero images can make a huge difference.

  1. Stage your home

The internet is full of incredible ideas on how you can scale back on the personal but increase the potential of staging and styling your home. If necessary, commission a home stager or a trusted friend who has great personal style to help you get to market.

  1. Ask for help

If all else fails, why not give me a call?  Ten minutes on the phone can help you to understand the issues, and whether or not you can do something to improve the situation. If your New Year’s Resolution is to sell your home, let’s make it a priority to get it done right and with maximum profit for you.

For more on how I can help you sell your home, head to jenniferpearce.com.au

 

Mistakes you need to avoid when putting your house on the market

*this article first appeared in the October edition of the Midland Express 

When selling, a few simple mistakes may leave your home flailing on the market. Fortunately these are easy to avoid and can be managed with some prudent changes.

Don’t ask for too much money. Your house is only worth what the market will pay for it so ensure that you are prepared to list your house at or just around that mark. Pricing your home too high will discourage interested parties from making an offer, and your property could sit for months, which isn’t your goal.

Pick the right agent. Sure, a big brand and nice logo might appeal to you as a seller but when it comes to selecting the right agent, looks might not translate into the best person for the job. Can the agent support you during the stress, help you focus on what matters most and be clear in meeting your needs? If not, find someone who can. Immediately.

Don’t skip the marketing. Everyone wants to cut costs and save some money for other things in life. However cutting costs on marketing is like stopping a clock to save time. You’ll always have to make up for the deficient somewhere else. Marketing is an investment on the bigger return of a house sale. So don’t get your nephew with the good camera to take the photos of your property, pay for the professional who can showcase your home in the best light possible.

Fix the broken. It’s common sense, really. If it’s broke – fix it. Prospective buyers want to envisage themselves moving in and settling immediately, not spending their time fixing damaged and broken fixtures and fittings.

For more on how to get the right sale for your house, head to jenniferpearce.com.au

Why looks can be deceiving when it comes to real estate agents

Whether you are selling your lifetime home or an investment property, finding and choosing a real estate agent is a big decision.

I often hear of people having less than pleasant experiences with real estate agents. As part of my role as an agent, I like to work with clients to help them make an informed decision so they can maximise on their property sale.

Here are 4 tips to help choose the right agent for you.

1. Research

Research potential agents just like you would if you were investing in any other big purchase. There are many different real estate agencies to choose from but ensure you read reviews or ask local residence about who they would recommen

2. Ease , Trust & Comfort

Do you feel comfortable with the agent? Given that you need to be very honest with an agent throughout the process, you need to make sure you are comfortable with the agent and can have open and honest communications.

3. Market Knowledge

The agent should be able to give you a thorough snapshot of the market in your area and surrounding areas. They should know about schools, transport, demographics and the sorts of buyers looking for homes in the area.

4. Audition them

One of the best ways to research your agents is to attend open house inspections. Here is your chance not pop into one and see your agent in action.

At the inspection watch and interact with the agent, and consider the following things:

  • How does the agent communicate and interact with potential buyers. Is their communication style something that would work for you?
  • What is their behavior at the open house inspection? Are they standing at the door and welcome everyone? Did they identify the features of the property for sale and answer all the questions about the property?
  • Did they follow up with you after your attendance at the open house inspection to see if you wanted more information about the property
  • Were they punctual?
  • What do you think of the marketing/advertising for the properties the agent has listed?

These are just a few of the things for you to consider when selecting an agent – so happy selling and buying.