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Thinking of selling your first home? Getting the price right, fixing what matters (and ignoring what doesn’t), and choosing the right sales strategy can make or break your result. Real estate agent Jono Barton breaks down what every first-time seller needs to know - before your property even hits the market.
Understanding the Appraisal Process
When it comes to selling your first home, understanding the value of your property is step one. As Jono explains, an appraisal is not just about recent sales in your area — it’s about comparing your home to what else is on the market and accounting for the quirks that make your place unique.
In James’ case, the two-bedroom Remuera unit wasn’t your typical mansion. But it had appeal for the right buyer — likely a first home buyer or someone wanting a foot in the door in a high-demand suburb. While similar homes might sell around the $950k mark, features like location, building materials, and floor plan flow all influence value.
Appraisals also need to go beyond just a CV. As Jono puts it, a council valuation might offer a starting point, but it’s the upgrades, renovations, and market timing that can shift real value.
Selling Strategy: Auction, Asking Price, or Negotiation?
One of the key decisions when selling your first home is choosing the right sales method. Jono outlines three main approaches — auction, asking price, and negotiation — with the best option depending on four core factors: the property itself, the owner’s goals, the market, and buyer behaviour.
In James’ case, they went with an asking price strategy. Why? It gave potential buyers a clear number to compare to market value. Jono highlights that putting a price on a listing creates transparency and avoids the risk of buyers lowballing based on CVs or online estimates. But he also stresses the importance of being willing to adapt — if traffic, interest, and offers don’t show up quickly, you need to adjust.
Benchmarks like online views, open home attendance, and offer numbers become key metrics once the property is live — and those indicators will tell you fast if your strategy is working.
What to Fix — And What to Leave Alone
A major takeaway from James’ experience? Don’t over-renovate before you sell.
Jono recommends walking through your house with a buyer’s eye — small fixes like paint and garden tidy-ups can go a long way. But big upgrades, like kitchens or flooring, might not give you the return you’re hoping for. In James’ case, a handyman quoted $11,000 for minor repairs, so he flew up a family member from Invercargill instead — flights, paint, and a bottle of gin came to a fraction of the cost.
Staging the home was one area where spending money made a real difference. For around $2,000, the space looked brand new — and that professional finish helped draw serious buyer attention.
Advice for First Home Sellers
If you’re thinking about selling, Jono suggests reaching out to top agents 4–6 weeks before you want to list. Look for people who know your area, who you connect with, and who’ll give you a personalised plan. Once you’ve found that person — trust them.
He also shared advice for buyers: don’t wait until you’re ready to buy to start looking. Get familiar with the market early and don’t play games when you find the right house — good homes don’t wait.
Key Takeaways
Appraisals are more than just CVs — real value includes market context, property quirks, and buyer perception.
Choosing between auction, asking price, or negotiation depends on the property, the owner, and the market.
Don’t overspend on pre-sale renovations — tidy up, but avoid major upgrades unless advised.
Staging can be a worthwhile investment for first impressions.
Start speaking with agents early and trust the process they lay out.
If you’d like to learn more, check out these other episodes below.
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Disclaimer:
The information in this article is general information only, is provided free of charge and does not constitute professional advice. We try to keep the information up to date. However, to the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties, express or implied, in relation to this article – including (without limitation) warranties as to accuracy, completeness and fitness for any particular purpose. Please seek independent advice before acting on any information in this article.
