by blake gray – principal at apex estate agents
The Central Coast remains high on the list for families looking to upsize and for couples hoping to secure property in an ideal lifestyle location in order to start a family. These families and couples are a strong force in our local markets right now. If you’re thinking of selling soon, it would be a mistake not to consider these buyers when renovating/preparing your home. Here’s my top general suggestions for how to create the right vibe so that when these buyers view your home they see a 5–Star proposition. This will almost certainly mean higher offers for you.
What’s on the outside matters too –
Far too often sellers prioritise the inside of the home and neglect the exterior when making improvements. It is important to note that a backyard without purpose is a backyard without appeal. Similarly, a front yard that doesn’t leave a lasting, positive first impression also suffers. A property lacking in these two respects has already sacrificed a valuable golden star in the eyes of these buyers.
Wherever possible think about maximising versatility. In practical terms this means that the more functions/uses the exterior space provides, the better. If you’ve got a deck, patio, or porch, think about adding a pergola or covering to enhance its entertaining potential. If there’s a Hills Hoist clothesline in the centre of the backyard, consider moving it to free up usable space, or if the backyard is small then replace it with a wall–mounted, retractable one. If there’s a particularly awkward corner in the yard, add a vertical veggie garden. If the backyard is especially small, consider enclosing the front yard. If the yard is unusually uneven/sloping, this can be retained so as to further its usability.
Aesthetics and a welcoming street appeal also need to be emphasised. Generally, I’d encourage you to select one particular feature of each outdoor space and to lean into each. The idea here is to highlight strengths. If your property has a pool, consider updating the fencing or add colour by bordering it with plants/pebbles. If the front yard seems uninteresting, paint the driveway in a shade that matches the house, and install a proud, new letterbox.
Buyers pay for space –
These families and couples who are the potential buyers for your property value space. As the family grows so too does its needs. Increasingly, people work from home (at least part of the time). Families are time–poor, thus embrace homes that are friction–free (require little to no renovations and are low–maintenance). The below can be achieved by means of minor home improvement/renovations, through property styling, and via marketing.
- Maximise open–plan living and connectedness.
- Showcase the versatility of spaces by implying/showing their multiple uses.
- Ensure the backyard is secure, safe for children and pets, and presents as low–maintenance.
- Add/highlight storage solutions and potential.
- Install/underline modern technological assets and conveniences like air conditioning, solar panels, USB adaptable power outlets, electric skylights, automated window furnishings, security systems etc.
- Add/extend/improve outdoor entertaining potential.
(Striking the right balance with regard to the above will certainly depend on successfully working together with your selling agent, property stylist, available funds for home improvements/preparation and so on.)
The power of amplifying location and lifestyle –
So these families and couples have already decided that the Central Coast is an attractive location. To retain your 5–Star rating and close the deal you’ll also need to align your home–both implicitly and explicitly–with the lifestyle factors and amenities with which these buyers already have strong affinity (reputable schools and childcare centres, beaches, sporting facilities, shopping and entertainment precincts etc).
Explicit signalling will often be the domain of your selling agent. They will inform your buyers of notable lifestyle amenities in their property headings and descriptions. These may also feature in your campaign photos as ‘location shots’ or ‘drone photography’.
Implicit signalling is something that you can achieve yourself via intentional, inventive property styling/staging. The idea here is to strategically place items in and around your home that hint at those notable lifestyle amenities that these buyers love, thereby linking your property to these desirables. For example: If your home is near the beach – place some surfboards, beach towels, buckets or straw hats by the front door, or perhaps in the corner of an outdoor entertaining area. Even the placement of a small, wood, picket sign with an arrow pointed in the direction of nearby cafés which reads, ‘coffee this way’ can achieve a similar effect. Get creative here.
Every property is unique. These are but a few tips. For tailored guidance in creating that 5–Star family home vibe, seek the input of your preferred property professional/real estate agent.
APEX Estate Agents are a team of avant–garde real estate specialists, marketing experts, and consummate professionals absolutely obsessed with challenging the status quo. We exist to be the ultimate custodians for our clients, thus improving their quality of life through property – that’s our raison d’être.