Are you preparing your property for sale with Arizto in 2025?

While we enter the holiday season and regular business and work takes a deserved back seat to family and celebration, there is no doubt many Kiwis have decided this month will be their last in their current home.

Arizto salespeople have stayed busy in December – less than halfway through the month they were rapidly approaching 500 appraisals completed for owners either ready or at least considering selling property in 2025.

Getting a house ready for sale can be a big step, especially if you have been living in the residence for a very long time - there may be elements you have gotten used to that a potential buyer would not find an attractive proposition for purchase.

Renovation

Naturally, owners want the best sale price possible. So consider your situation - what home renovation skills do you have or what costs are you willing to pay to make your home stand out to get the best return?

Think carefully before undertaking major work– you may not get your money back if you tackle big jobs like renovating the kitchen or bathroom before selling.

Instead, be prepared to market the property at a price that acknowledges any major repairs which may be required, thereby setting the home apart from other comparable options.

At the other end of the scale, attending to minor or deferred maintenance issues might well be worth it - when buyers look at your home, you want them to feel like they don't have to do much work, or better yet, any work.

For undertaking maintenance, budget carefully if you decide to go ahead.

Your salesperson or a registered valuer may be able to help you decide which actions are likely to increase the value and appeal of the property.

De-clutter

Less is more.

Because you are on the move, have a think about the household belongings which you are unlikely to use or need over the next two months. It's good to make a head-start with packing up and away before offers arrive.

Removing the clutter will make your home look larger and therefore more appealing.

Consider hiring a storage unit to place the surplus furniture and other items away from the house, or you could store items in cartons neatly in the garage.

Perhaps allocate one room or part of the house for spare storage – like a corner of the garage.

De-clutter cupboards as well - potential buyers will often check storage during open homes.

Having tidy, organised cupboards implies the rest of the house is well looked after, and is especially true of kitchen cupboards and drawers, as well as the pantry.

Use de-cluttering as an opportunity to sell, donate or throw out items you don't want to move into your next home. This will be especially useful if you are downsizing to a smaller property.

Remove or replace chattels that you want to keep before the first open home, so buyers won't assume they're included in the sale. Perhaps, for example, a favourite lightshade.

Deep clean

When your home is free of clutter and surplus furniture, it might be a good time to give the house a deep clean.

Basically, clean everything, everywhere.

Think about hiring a professional cleaning team to do this for you if you're short of time or not in the best of health.

Consider having the carpets professionally cleaned – for the cost, this can make a big difference.

When the deep clean has been done, it will be easier to maintain the house in that state before each open home or private showing.

De-personalise

Start thinking about the house objectively as an asset for sale. Sentimental value does not apply.

This will help you remove yourself emotionally from your home and will help you see it as buyers do.

Talk to your Arizto salesperson about the types of buyer likely to be interested in your property, and think about what will appeal to them.

Remove personal photos and items. Think about painting over bold colours in a fresh neutral colour.

Street appeal

The house exterior and gardens should be tidy and inviting – first impressions are important.

Keep the lawns mowed, paths swept and free of moss and the gardens weeded.

Mulching the garden can be an instant improvement and will help manage weeds while your property is on the market.

Check that the fences are in good condition, and de-clutter the section - don't leave garden tools or the kids toys just lying around.

A professional outdoor house wash for the home and any other buildings on the property, including all the windows, can improve the first impression of the property.

Check the front gate is clean, tidy and easy to open, while the letterbox should be clean and in good condition with clear numbering.

Have a look at your front door and consider a fresh coat of paint and a new door mat.

Depending on the time of year, you may want to add a pot plant for colour.

Touch-ups and repairs

Your chosen salespeople could have connections to tradespeople who can make repairs and improvements more promptly than if you were to arrange them yourself.

Minor plumbing, electrical, painting, gardens and lawn work can be arranged on your behalf if you're short of time and should be cost effective.

Attend to minor or deferred maintenance issues such as re-hanging drapes, fixing dripping taps and leaking pipes, as well as attending to unsafe electrical wiring.

Take care of cracked windows, holes in walls, tired paint, sticking doors and change expired lightbulbs.

These minor improvements could be taken care of by a working bee with family and friends, just by going room-by-room.

Make sure you have council consent and compliance documentation for any changes you've made to the property.

Tenants

If you're selling an investment property which is tenanted, it's important you let the tenants know about it in writing at the beginning of the process, so all parties are aware of their rights and responsibilities.

This includes the tenants getting the legally required notice period if they need to vacate the property prior to sale or once it is sold.

You and your Arizto salesperson need permission from the tenant to access the house for marketing photography, open homes or viewings.

Permission is also required from the tenant before including any of their possessions in marketing photos.

Tenants can set their own conditions about accessing the property. To help you, Tenancy Services has more information about selling a tenanted house.