If you plan on selling your home, most salespeople recommend an open home during the property promotion process. Of course, to get your asking price or higher, you must have insight into what New Zealand buyers are looking for and make a few changes to encourage their offer.
Kerb appeal and neighbourhood
Your home's kerb appeal is its first impression to potential new owners. People coming to your property will look at the condition of your siding, the landscaping and how you present it through decor.
Kerb appeal also indicates whether your home has been well-loved and is worth its value. Likewise, buyers will examine the neighbourhood to determine its vibe, including its proximity to schools, grocery stores, parks and other amenities.
Floor plan and function
Buyers will check the home's layout to ensure a sufficient flow to meet their livability needs. However, you may not be in a financial position or have enough time to tear down walls and reconfigure your square footage. If the floor plan is strange, staging it creatively can showcase the possibilities.
Real estate specialists say buyers may pay 15%-20% more for the final sale based on home staging. This is because they better perceive how each room could look or function.
Prospective buyers will likely notice high-end, modern features during an open house, such as hardwood floors, newer appliances, contemporary lighting fixtures and new cabinetry. Premium upgrades are costly, though, meaning sellers must consider whether to replace items, invest in home improvement projects or leave them as they are.
Instead, it may be worth making minor, high-quality upgrades, like replacing the kitchen countertops instead of redoing an entire space. For example, marble countertops last 20-30 years with proper maintenance and re-polishing and have a high return on investment for sellers.
Kiwis love spending time in a relaxing, natural environment, so sellers should pay as much attention to the backyard as the property's kerb appeal. Fences, gardens, patios, decks, fire features and outdoor kitchens appeal to buyers immediately, as does the type of greenery you use.
Xeriscaping with native plants can reduce irrigation needs by 75% and boost local biodiversity. Cacti, hebe and harakeke are all drought-tolerant options for your garden.
In New Zealand — where 80% of electricity is derived from renewable sources — buyers will note energy-efficient features during an open home. Aside from helping homeowners reduce their environmental impact, they can save over $1,000 annually in energy bills with all-electric appliances. This equates to $10,000–$20,000 over the 15-year lifespan. Solar panels will also stand out.
Buyers value storage space for keeping a well-organised, clutter-free home. During an open home, you can expect them to notice a garage, the number of cupboards and whether there is a sizable attic.
If your home lacks adequate storage, consider ways to maximise areas and create them, such as shelving, built-ins, and over-the-door alternatives. Seeing the storage potential could ultimately sway buyers into making an offer.
Preparing for an open home is one of the most essential steps in selling your home. Follow these helpful tips to meet buyers' expectations when they stop by:
- Declutter your home, removing personal belongings, clunky furniture and other distracting items.
- Hire a professional cleaning service to make your home spotless.
- Landscape the front yard, including mowing the grass, planting colourful flowers and adding pavers around the garden beds.
- Add a fresh coat of paint to the front door.
- Repair minor problems like leaky faucets, creaky doors and cracks in the floor.
- Highlight architectural details, focal points and other areas deserving attention.
- Paint your home interiors a timeless, neutral colour.
- Remove heavy curtain panels to allow as much natural light as possible.
- Hire professional home stagers to maximise space and flow throughout the house.
- Properly ventilate the home and remove foul odours.
Potential buyers have their sights on specific home features. As a seller, an open home is a chance to demonstrate your home's beauty, function and livability. Invest your time and effort in appealing to visitors and wait for the offers to pour in.
