A room by room walkthrough
We walk the property with you and mark what a buyer will notice, what photographs badly, and what is simply invisible to the market.
Selling Services
Property Preparation Advice Worth Taking
Direct advice on what to do, what not to do, and where to spend to maximise the return rather than the invoice.
Property Preparation
Where to spend, and just as importantly, where not to
Most sellers are given a list. Paint everything, landscape the garden, replace the kitchen. The list is easy advice to give because it is never the agent's money. We would rather tell you which three things will change the result and which seven will not.
One recent Camberwell vendor was preparing to spend forty thousand dollars on a renovation before listing. We identified eight thousand dollars of work that materially changed how the home presented and photographed, and told them to keep the rest. The property still sold above expectations.
Our approach
How it works
A costed, prioritised list
Trades we trust, indicative costs, and a clear order of priority so you can stop at whatever point suits your budget.
Styling that suits the buyer
Furniture and styling chosen for the likely purchaser, whether that is a young family, a downsizer or a developer looking at the land.
Photography and story
Timing the shoot for the right light and building a campaign that captures the emotion or the potential — not just the floor plan.
What we usually recommend, and what we do not
- Do: presentation, light, decluttering, garden tidy, small repairs a buyer will price against
- Do: professional photography, floor plan and, for the right home, video
- Consider: styling and furniture hire where the property is empty or dated
- Rarely: full kitchen or bathroom renovations immediately before sale
- Never: works that will not be recovered in the price, no matter how satisfying
Other selling services
It is easy to recommend a renovation when it is not your money. We would rather tell you which eight thousand dollars matters and which forty thousand does not.
$67.7MTotal sales, last 12 months
35Homes sold, last 12 months
87%Auction success rate
130Combined five star reviews
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How far out should preparation start?
Six to eight weeks before launch is comfortable. That allows for trades, styling, photography and a considered campaign build. Where timing is tighter we prioritise ruthlessly.
Should I renovate the kitchen before selling?
Almost never, immediately before sale. Buyers rarely pay back a full renovation, and a fresh kitchen in someone else's taste can narrow your buyer pool. Presentation, light and cleanliness return far more per dollar.
Do you pay for styling upfront?
Payment terms for styling, photography and marketing are agreed in writing before the campaign, and deferred payment options are available through Ray White. We will walk you through the numbers before you commit.
Is styling worth it for an empty property?
Usually yes. Empty rooms photograph poorly and buyers struggle to judge scale. Styling is one of the few preparation costs that reliably returns more than it costs.
What if my property is tenanted?
We work around access limitations and often recommend an off market approach where inspections would be disruptive. Presentation expectations are adjusted accordingly.
Do you organise the trades?
We can. We have trades we use repeatedly across Stonnington and Boroondara and will coordinate quotes and scheduling if you would rather not.
Will preparation change the price guide?
It can. Presentation affects how buyers price a property, and better presentation frequently moves the range. We will tell you before you spend whether we expect it to.
Can you help if I am selling a deceased estate?
Yes, and sensitively. These sales usually need a lighter touch, clear communication with multiple family members and a realistic view of what preparation is worth doing. Talk to us confidentially.
Contact
Start the conversation
Every campaign starts with a conversation about what matters to you. Call Adam directly on 0455 096 229, email enquiries@isellhomes.com.au, or send the form and we will respond the same day.
- Confidential, no-obligation market appraisal
- Direct advice on preparation and where to spend
- A campaign strategy built for your property, not a template
Request a confidential appraisal
Tell us about your property and we will come back to you with a considered view of the market, not a number designed to win a listing.
Ready to talk about your property?
A confidential conversation costs nothing and usually changes what you thought your options were.