Temperatures are heating up this Spring, and so is the competition for home buyers.
Last Spring was a seller’s market. Homes for sale were in short supply. Bidding wars between buyers drove prices up and selling times down.
Now, the tide is turning. While the fundamentals of selling your home remain the same, how you put your marketing strategy into action will make all the difference.
Matching the market
Median house sale prices across WA reached record highs in the past year, but our latest market update found demand is softening.
Although median house sale prices remain strong and above Spring 2025 levels, there are more properties to choose from than a year ago. Borrowing costs are edging up, and some buyers are feeling less certain. So homes are taking a little longer to sell.
The good news is many buyers still want to buy their first home or next property. Sellers just need to work a little harder to catch their eye.
Three golden rules for sellers
To land the right buyer for your home, you must complete two crucial steps to a high standard. The first step is preparing your home for listing. The second is priming your property for open inspections. Both share golden rules that smart sellers follow and are more important than ever in today’s changing market.
1. Prepare
Repair, restore and refresh
First impressions count and leave a lasting impact. A home that looks spotlessly clean, meticulously maintained and freshly painted reassures buyers.
Pristine kitchen and bathroom areas that look move-in ready are highly sought after. But don’t overlook the smaller details.
Bust dust and sweep away cobwebs. Clogged or grimy exhaust fans and vents are off-putting and make buyers suspect your home is hiding pricey repairs.
Kerb appeal
The outside of your home plays an outsized role in setting buyer expectations. Tidy, well-stocked garden beds, a clean, freshly painted exterior and well-maintained paths and driveways help buyers fall in love with your home before they step through the door.
Picture perfect
Decluttering your home and making each living space flow to perfection is essential. Remove extra furniture and personal items to make your rooms and storage spaces look tidy and welcoming.
Enlist a staging firm if you don’t feel confident about styling your home or if you’ve already moved out.
It’s worth investing in professional photography and videography for your listing because these images are the first glimpse buyers get of your property.
Lock in your home's look before you list and maintain it for each open inspection, so your property lives up to its online promise.
2. Show value
Highlight efficiency
Higher borrowing costs are leaving buyers with less money to maintain their new home. Calm buyer nerves by highlighting your home’s energy-saving features.
Make sure your listing includes any solar panels, batteries, and water-efficient or energy-saving features.
Ask your agent to mention your home’s energy-efficient benefits, and any newly installed or recently upgraded appliances during open inspections.
Flexible floor plans
Buyers are becoming more cautious, so reassure them about the space your home offers.
Discuss potential buyers with your agent and tweak your home’s floor plan guide to match their needs. Your property’s fourth bedroom could be a home office or a home theatre, depending on the buyers you are targeting.
Show your home’s versatility at open inspections. Clever staging for each room and highlighting potential uses for each living space will do the trick.
3. Maximise appeal
Sell lifestyle
Savvy sellers don’t let listing photos and videos do all the heavy lifting. They double down on lifestyle cues during open inspections.
Finishing touches like reed diffusers, fresh towels and small plants can make a bathroom feel like a luxury spa.
A bottle of wine and glasses on an outdoor setting is enticing, and the kitchen island set for breakfast is cosy.
Fresh flowers and strategically placed books or prints featuring artworks, fashion or exotic travel destinations add sophistication.
These extra flourishes help buyers see themselves enjoying the lifestyle your home offers.
Reach more buyers
Tailored marketing for your home will make your listing stand out.
REIWA’s reiwa.com Feature Properties are priority listings. With larger photos and prime positioning above the standard listings and across social channels, they make buyers stop scrolling and start contacting your agent.
If you’ve invested in professional photography, ask your agent to feature your home on their social media channels. The more buyers see your home, the more likely it is to sell.
Follow our expert tips for a smoother sale and make your home a hot property this Spring.
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