PREPARING TO SELL AN APARTMENT

Selling an apartment is different to selling a house and requires extra due diligence and documentation.

Knowing where to start can often be a stumbling block, from collating legal and body corporate reports to choosing a suitable real estate agent.

With the benefit of a 13 year overview, we can guide you through the preparation process to make sure you have the foundation on which all your other decisions will be based.

Whether you are selling an apartment in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch or anywhere else, the same rules for foundation setting apply.

Selling an apartment​ is a step by step process, which if well planned and done diligently, will ensure the best possible outcome.


If you need help finding an apartment specialist, get in touch - we're here to help, all at no cost.


 

BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR APARTMENT

You may be in the luxury apartment category or at the budget end. The building may be in perfect condition or have some imperfections, or worse.

Your apartment may be unaffected by issues in your apartment block that others have been burdened with. There are many variables and scenarios.

Whatever the case, being honest about your apartment is a legal responsibility.

You could be liable for legal action if you omit or provide misleading, or false information - even if you honestly believed the information was correct - so it’s important to get things right, especially documentation, and you will need the right people to help you collate this. Find out more about disclosure obligations when selling an apartment.


 

CREATE YOUR TEAM OF APARTMENT SPECIALISTS

Selling an apartment requires a coordinated team effort. 

Each apartment block is unique and will come with its unique legal documentation, ownership structures, challenges and issues. Some may have a 'leaky' history and those that don't may be perceived as being leaky.

There are a number of industry professionals you will need involved in the sale of your apartment including real estate agents, lawyers and licensed valuers as we explain below.

Learn about the hidden costs of selling an apartment.


Find out more about selling a leaky apartment


 

CONFIDENCE IN YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT'S ADVICE

It is important that you find a real estate agent who specialises in selling apartments, so you can rely on their advice about:

  • the most effective methods of sale, in the market, at that time.
  • a marketing strategy using multiple platforms.
  • an advertising or digital campaign to reach qualified buyers.
  • real estate commission and fees.
  • signing an agency agreement giving the company license to sell your apartment over a specified period.

We specialise in finding real estate agents with integrity to sell apartments - request a list of agents to compare now.


PROJECT MANAGEMENT APPROACH IS BEST

The legal documentation required for an apartment sale can be cumbersome and complex to coordinate, interpret and manage so engaging a real estate agent inexperienced in apartment sales is not advisable. 

Real estate agents with good project management skills are worth their weight in gold.

Also, your real estate agent is obligated to provide verification of any verbal or written information that describes your apartment or the apartment block.

Absence of this can end badly, so check that everything your real estate agent communicates to buyers is substantiated.

Your lawyer won’t be present at viewings, so it is important the real estate agent has this covered.

Misrepresentation of a property is an issue that can end up with the Real Estate Authority’s complaints assessment committee.


Request a shortlist of vetted apartment specialists for your location. 


 

CONFIDENCE IN HOW MUCH YOUR APARTMENT IS WORTH

If you have doubt about the accuracy of your real estate agent's appraisal of your apartment's value, we recommend getting a full valuation report by a registered valuer who specialises in apartments.

This can help put your mind at rest and put you on the same page as your property agent.

It also gives your agent more leverage when negotiating a sale price with buyers, especially if the buyer’s offer is lower than the registered valuation or appraisal value.

It is not advisable to rely on an automated algorithm for valuing any property type intended for sale. Valuing property is a specialist area and getting it wrong can be very costly in more ways than one.


We can send you a list of licensed valuers of apartments


 

CONFIDENCE IN YOUR PROPERTY LAWYER

We recommend that you use a specialist property lawyer who, along with you, should work as a team with the building owner, your real estate agent, the valuer, banks, insurers, buyers, the buyer’s lawyer, building surveyors and more.


Ask for a list of specialist property lawyers in your location.

If you need help selling your apartment get in touch - we're here to help.


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  • Best Independent Real Estate Advisors 2022 | BUILD 2022 Real Estate & Property Awards
  • Best Property Advice Hub New Zealand 2021 | APAC
  • Most Reputable Property Advice Hub New Zealand for Wise Up NZ 2020 | APAC
  • Best Real Estate Agent Vetting Service 2018 | APAC

Page updated February 16, 2023 | Trish Willis | Member of the Property Institute of NZ (IPAC) 

Disclaimer: The content of this researched article is general in nature and not intended as a substitute for specific professional or legal advice on any matter and should not be relied on for that purpose

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