The preparation you put into getting your property ready for sale can be the difference between getting a standard price and a great price. The best part is, it's not hard, time consuming or expensive. Whatever your motive for selling, the process can either be stress free or tense and disappointing. The good news is that you have the ability to choose.

The most important factors that will influence the outcome of any sale are:

• Price
• Presentation
• Promotion

If you submit your property for Auction this means that prospective purchasers will bid against one another at a date and time suitable to you.

You can set a reserve price, which is the minimum you will accept, and once bidding has passed that level you know you have a sale, as it will be unconditional and a predetermined deposit must be paid on the day.

Sale by Private Treaty means that you set a price at which your property is to be marketed to the public through the marketing plan agreed to by you and the agent.

Buyers for a property can be found all year round however it's not often that a purchaser for your home is out there, just waiting for you to put your home on the market.

Timing, presentation and advertising are all required to bring buyers and sellers together for the best result.

Spring is often considered to be the best time to sell.  It's a time of optimism and with the weather clearing, more potential buyers will be out and about.  With Spring and Summer comes the buyers who may be looking for a seachange, those who and are planning a move to one of our beautiful coastal suburbs, those who want the to see the ocean, feel the sea breezes and spend time frolicing on our wonderful beaches with their families. It is however, also a time when more sellers will put their homes on the market so there will be more competition.

Winter usuallly presents fewer residential buyers. However, buyers are generally more focused on purchasing and traditionally there will be fewer homes on the market for them to choose from.

The cooler seasons of Autumn and Winter have proven to be the best time to sell rural property.

Wamberal Professionals has long specialised in the sale of acreages on the Central Coast.  Rural buyers are attracted to the market in the cooler months when images of family gatherings around crackling fireplaces and lazy walks over undulating acres create an enticing picture in the mind of the rural buyer.

Prior to placing your home on the market, allow an additional two weeks to prepare both the property and marketing material

A tidy home says "Welcome". Your home should be kept neat and tidy during the period of inspections. It should not necessarily be a "show place" but appear a comfortable home in which to live. Fresh flowers or indoor plants always brighten up a home.

While you're cleaning, think about each room and what furniture really needs to be in it. Rooms look smaller when they are crowded. Clear out anything that's not needed to create a feeling of spaciousness.

Make sure that all minor repairs are completed. Sticking doors and windows, loose door knobs, faulty plumbing, or peeling paint may affect your sale.

Let plenty of light into your home. Nothing improves atmosphere more than brightness. And on a dull day switch on some lights prior to arrival of prospective purchasers.

A warm comfortable heated home on cold days adds a feeling of cosiness; on a hot day don't forget to turn on any air conditioning or fans (or simply let the breeze flow through).