Not too long ago, buying a property in the Garden Route (or anywhere else for that matter) was a fairly simple process. Once you saw the house you wanted, you signed on the dotted line, applied for finance and had approval within a few days. Three months or so later the property was officially yours and the only concern you had was which removal company to use.

The picture is somewhat different these days. There is much more red tape in buying and selling a home than before. It some instances it now takes up to six months for a deal to be finalised. Buyers are also far more wary about buying a home that ever before. With many homes on the market competing for their attention, price is a major issue for savvy buyers. In any event, even though a seller may find someone who is willing to pay his asking price, the bargaining doesn’t stop there.

In a seller’s market, buyers are generally in a more forgiving frame of mind. Accepting that house prices are going up during boom times, many buyers are willing to accept that a house isn’t in perfect condition and make allowances. Of course, all of this changes when market conditions favour the buyer. As sellers are all too aware of, current conditions in the property market have exacerbated this trend.

Until a sale is finalised, professional property consultants spend a lot of time these days managing buyer expectations. Those who have been around a while will tell you the longer it takes for a deal to be concluded, the colder the buyer’s feet become. It just makes sense: waiting six months to move into your dream home tends to evoke an entire range of emotions, including second thoughts. Murphy’s Law dictates that you will always see something better and cheaper once you’ve made a final buying decision. Under normal conditions this may not prove to be too much of a problem; however, when buyers are left to wait for a few months, it can become a major issue.

Buyers expect more when market conditions are in their favour. Issues that are often overlooked by buyers in a seller’s market will not be tolerated when the cycle turns. Remember: buyers can afford to be choosy during these times. It often surprises sellers going through the transfer process just how demanding buyers have become. While sellers may be forced to accept a lower offer, this is often not the only area in which they are expected to compromise. Patent defects which may be otherwise overlooked during the good times often become stumbling blocks and can, if you are not assisted by property professionals like Terblanche Total Property Solutions, lead to rejection.

We recommend you get your house in order before it goes on the market – literally. This ensures that the selling process will run as smoothly as possible. Buyers are not smarter than ever before, they know their rights and understand that money speaks louder than words.

Contact us today to ensure your property in the Garden Route sells in the shortest time possible for the best possible price.

Based on an article by Lea Jacobs