“You never get a second chance to make a first impression”

Getting Ready to Sell: Presenting Your Home for the Best Price in Opotiki

A positive first impression is everything in the competitive Opotiki real estate environment. Our local Experience at Ray White Opotiki consistently shows that a well-presented home sells faster and, crucially, commands a higher price in the Opotiki property market.

Whether you’re selling a classic home in Opotiki Township, a lifestyle block in Waiotahe, or a coastal retreat in Waihau Bay, simple preparation steps make a huge difference. The goal is to spend strategically to maximise your property’s appeal.

Here are our top tips for preparing your property to sell, helping potential buyers see your house as their future home.

The Buyer’s Perspective: Our Top Tip

Before you lift a paintbrush or mow the lawn, try this test:

Go outside, close your eyes, and pretend you’re a buyer seeing your home for the very first time. Walk through the gate, into the front door, and through every room. What catches your eye? What makes you pause?

Use this fresh perspective to create a quick checklist. This simple process can immediately highlight areas for improvement that you might have become ‘blind’ to over time.

Outside Appeal: Creating Kerb Appeal in Opotiki

The street view—or ‘kerb appeal’—is a buyer’s first physical interaction with your property. Make it count!

• A Gentle Exterior Refresh: An exterior house wash is inexpensive and works wonders, instantly brightening paintwork, fences, gates, and decks. We recommend a soft wash over harsh water blasting to protect robust surfaces.
• Embrace Sunlight: Sunlight is a universal selling point. Look at your trees and shrubs—if pruning them allows significantly more natural light into the home, it’s a worthwhile investment.
• Crisp Lawns and Edging: This is an easy win! Keep your lawns mown weekly and ensure the edges are straight and neat. A tidy garden signals a well-maintained home.
• Clear the Clutter: Buyers want to see space, not storage. Get rid of garden rubbish, old piles of materials, or unused items cluttering the garage, garden sheds, and outbuildings.
• A Welcoming Touch: Place a couple of colourful, inviting pot plants by the entranceway. It adds a homely touch you can easily take with you when you move out of your property in Waiotahe.
• Pool Perfection (If Applicable): If you have a pool, ensure the water is sparkling clean, tiles are scrubbed, and any maintenance equipment is tidied away.

Inside Appeal: Light, Space, and Cleanliness

When preparing for an open home, every surface and scent matters.

• The Deep Spring Clean: This sounds obvious, but a deep clean makes a phenomenal difference. Focus on sparkling windows (which bring more light into the home), clean carpets (especially if you have pets), and dust-free surfaces.
• Maximise Available Space: Space is a huge requirement for buyers. Create a feeling of openness by removing clutter, storing excessive personal items, and perhaps even strategically rearranging bulky furniture to showcase the room’s size.
• Temperature and Scent: Make your property welcoming. In winter, have the heat pump or fire going to create warmth. In summer, open the doors and windows to let in the fresh air. A few fresh flowers also add a lovely, natural scent.
• Kitchen and Bathroom Freshness: These rooms sell homes. While a full renovation isn’t required, address small issues:
  • Bathrooms: Use a commercial mildew remover to refresh naturally damp areas.
  • Kitchens: Ensure benchtops are spotless. In older homes, a fresh coat of paint or even replacing tired cupboard handles can give a modern lift without major expense.
• Strategic Paint Touch-ups: A fresh coat of neutral paint can offer big dividends, but execution is key. Any paintwork needs to be done well—no rough edges or smears on windows—as poor quality signals neglect.

Important Property Documentation

Before you start selling property in Waihau Bay or any of our suburbs, ensure your paperwork is in order.

• LIM and CCC: It’s always advisable to obtain a recent Land Information Memorandum (LIM) for your property. If you’ve done any major building work, ensure you have the final Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) from the local council, as buyers’ banks and lawyers will require this.
• Chattels List: Make a clear list of all items (chattels) that will remain in the house (e.g., curtains, dishwasher, fixed lights). If there is anything you plan to take with you, ensure it is clearly noted as an ‘exclusion’ on the contract to avoid any misunderstandings.

Ready for more personal advice tailored to your specific home? Speak to our experienced sales team today for top tips on preparing your property to achieve its best result in the Opotiki real estate market.