Keeping your emotions in check when selling your home

Your home is likely to be one of your biggest financial assets, but often it’s also the place you raised your children and spent many happy hours with friends and family. Selling your home can evoke strong emotions, but here are a few strategies to help you keep those emotions in check and achieve the best result.

Home vs property
It’s natural to have second thoughts about selling what you think of as ‘home’ and leaving behind all the memories connected with it. As soon as you decide to sell, start thinking of your ‘home’ as your ‘property’ - an asset that you wish to sell and that you want to make as appealing as possible to others who are looking to buy.

Start with a clean slate
When preparing to list a property for sale, it’s important to declutter and depersonalise your home which means removing your family portraits, knickknacks, souvenirs, diplomas and mementos. By doing so, you’re making it easier for potential buyers to envision themselves and their possessions in the house. Packing up your personal items and storing them out of sight early in the process can also help you come to terms with your emotions.

Remember your ‘why’
When you start to second guess your decision to sell, remind yourself why you’re doing it and what you have to look forward to. Make a list of and put it somewhere prominent. Whether you’re downsizing, upsizing, retiring or moving closer to family, keep coming back to the upside and what motivated you to sell in the first place.

Find a sales consultant you trust
Once you’ve made the decision to sell, it’s critical to choose a sales consultant and a company that you trust – someone who has expert local knowledge and keeps you informed throughout the process. Make sure the sales consultant can show you how he or she will maximise competition for your property while minimising any potential complications. Once you’ve found the right person, take their advice on board, present your property well and you can be assured of a great experience.