Why We Sometimes Say:
“Don’t Sell Yet.”

When an owner tells an estate agent, “I’m thinking of selling,” the easiest response is:

That question matters because selling a property is not the objective. It is one possible way of achieving an objective.

Perhaps you are relocating. Perhaps your bond has become uncomfortable. Perhaps you inherited the property. Maybe you no longer want to be a landlord. Or perhaps you are simply moving house and assumed that selling must automatically come next.

Start with what the property is realistically worth

Owners often begin with the question: “How much can I get for my property?”

That is important — but it is not the whole decision.

A realistic sales price assessment gives you one number. You then need to compare that against your remaining bond, selling costs, the property's likely rental income and what you intend doing with the capital after the sale.

That is exactly why we created the A+ Property Decision Score™ .

It helps an owner compare the practical reasons for selling, renting, keeping or waiting rather than assuming that one answer fits everybody.

When might we tell you not to rush?

There is no automatic formula, but these are situations where we would want to understand more before recommending an immediate sale.

If fear is driving the decision, you may also want to read: Don’t Sell Your House Because You’re Panicking .

But sometimes selling is absolutely the right move

We are not anti-selling. Selling property is a major part of what A+ Properties does.

The difference is that we want the sale to make sense for the owner.

Selling can be entirely sensible when you want to release equity, permanently relocate, reduce debt, simplify your affairs, move to a more suitable home or put the capital to better use elsewhere.

Read our guide: When Selling Your Property Makes Sense .

We would rather lose a listing than give advice we do not believe.

If selling makes sense, we will help you sell properly. If renting deserves consideration, we will say so. If waiting appears sensible, we are comfortable telling you that too.

What do we look at before giving an opinion?

Our role is to help you understand the property side of the decision clearly enough to make a better-informed choice.

• the property's likely selling price;
• recent comparable sales and competing listings;
• realistic rental potential;
• your outstanding bond and monthly ownership costs;
• whether you actually need capital immediately;
• maintenance and vacancy risk;
• whether you want the responsibilities of being a landlord;
• your likely time horizon; and
• what you actually need the property to achieve for you.

If you want to compare selling and renting in more detail, read: Should You Sell or Rent Your Property in Boksburg? 7 Questions Every Homeowner Should Ask First .