What every owner asks before they decide to sell

What every owner asks before they decide to sell

Before anyone signs paperwork or puts up a For Sale sign, they want clarity. A good appraisal isn’t just a price — it’s a plan. Here are the top five things owners want to know.

1. What’s My Place Actually Worth?
You may not be ready to sell — you might just be curious or planning ahead. But knowing the current market value is the starting point for every decision that follows. A free, no-obligation appraisal gives you a real-time read on buyer demand, comparable sales and current market trends. Often it also uncovers value you didn’t realise was there.

2. What Will I Walk Away With? (Commission & Net Result)
Sale price matters, but the real number is what you get in your pocket at the end. We’re upfront about commission and selling costs so you understand exactly what you’re paying for and why. No hidden extras, no surprise fees — just a clear breakdown to help you compare options and make an informed call.

3. What Do I Need to Spend Upfront? (Marketing)
Great campaigns create competition, and competition creates better prices. However, we see a lot of wasted spend where owners are paying for agents to look good. At City Sales we promote your property, not ourselves.
We tailor marketing to suit the property and the timeline — from core items such as photography and online advertising through to optional upgrades like video, drone and premium placements. And we tell it like it is, if your property will not benefit from extras, we won't suggest them. In most cases, to sell a city apartment the bare minimum is more than enough. 
The goal is simple: more eyeballs, more enquiry, more offers.

4. When Should I Sell? What’s the Timeline?
Not everyone is ready to go live next week. Whether you’re six weeks or six months out, an appraisal is the best way to map the process. We’ll talk through timing, seasonal patterns, prep work and how long the typical campaign takes — so when you do hit the market, it’s clean, fast and strategic.

5. What Should I Fix (or Ignore) Before Selling?
Don’t over-capitalise! We give honest guidance on what buyers are prioritising right now, and which small improvements deliver a stronger return. Sometimes it’s paint. Sometimes it’s staging. Sometimes it’s doing nothing at all. And sometimes the worse the condition, the better!

Other Things We’ll Cover…
• Auction, tender or price? We’ll explain the pros and cons and match the method to the property and the current buyer pool. 
• Market conditions. What’s really happening at your price point today.
• Your goals. Upsizing, downsizing, selling to invest — or just gathering info.

Selling shouldn't ever start with pressure. It starts with a conversation.
Whether you’re planning to list soon or simply want clarity so you can plan ahead, it costs nothing to understand your options — and it might change your strategy for the better.