Selling

With the credit crunch have come falling property prices so now more than ever if you need to sell – your house must be in tip top condition to achieve not only a sale but the best possible price in this very competitive market place.

1) Presenting Your Property
Before you even think of selling its imperative that you should follow the following tips to:

a) De- Clutter as much as possible, the more open you can make your home feel the bigger it will appear.  Tidy everything away too many personal items can put a buyer off.  Ensure your home is CLEAN and smells fresh – eliminate any smells from pets or smoke this can be a real turn off for prospective buyers. Your house needs to be spotless, clean the house from top to bottom, have the carpets, curtains sofa cleaned.  In the bathroom make sure the sinks, baths and loos are clean with strategically placed fresh towels and maybe a couple of plants.

b) Tackle any outstanding DIY jobs.  Make sure your home looks pristine. Check paintwork- does it look fresh and clean if not then give it a lick of paint in a neutral colour.  Check the bathroom – is it looking tired – consider re-tiling or an economically alternative is to re-grout don’t’ forget to check for any dripping taps.  Also check the roof and guttering, things like broken tiles can be really off putting. One of the most important areas in your home is the kitchen so if it’s not looking up to scratch consider putting new doors and handles on or fit new worktops which is a good economical way of updating existing units. You can’t beat placing some vases of fresh flowers throughout.

c) Check the garden make sure paths are clean and tidy; the lawn looks healthy and trimmed.

d) Give it Kerb Appeal – Make sure your front door gleams with shiny fittings, the front garden and path are clutter free – first impressions really do count!

2 Set the right asking price
Check the local papers for comparable properties, have a look at websites such as Right Move, Net House Property which provide sold prices for houses in your street or neighbour hood also ask local estate agents which properties have sold and why so that you can evaluate what yours might be worth.  But you need to be realistic as there is every indication that prices are falling rather than rising.

3 Choose the right estate agent
Now more than ever try to ensure you get the lowest estate agent fee.  Most estate agents charge a % of the sale price, check there are no extras like marketing costs or lock – in clauses that stop you moving to another agent if you are not happy with their services.

Check locally who has a strong presence and is selling houses they are marketing.  Ask them for statistics on the number of properties they have successfully sold.  Get quotes from three or four as it’s a good way to test what each value your property at and the fees they will charge.  Don’t succumb to the one that values your property a lot higher than the other two, this is usually a marketing strategy to get you on board knowing that further down the line they will have to reduce it in order to sell it.  

4 Appoint a Solicitor
Be prepared – it’s a good idea to instruct a solicitor to do your conveyancing early and get them to prepare a draft contract in advance as well as applying for the title deeds.  But ask around your family and friends a good solicitor can make or break a sale – you want one who can push through a quick sale if required.

5 Be Proactive
Ensure you have a board.  Tell everyone you know. Keep in touch with agents, get their feedback. Consider an open day – it’s a great way to get lots of people to view at the same time which can seem as though you have lots of people interested in purchasing your property which may focus the minds of potential buyers to make you an offer.
Remember only stop marketing it once the survey has been done and you know the purchaser is committed to buying.

6. Viewings
First impressions do count – make sure all your hard work before you put the house on the market is kept up, your house should gleam, it should be kept tidy and clutter free ensure it smells clean and fresh. Put the lights on and make sure the house feels warm and try and keep pets and children out of the house.

7 Showing a Property
If you can get the agent to do the viewing, it’s their job – they know what they are doing, so let them do it and its best if you go out.  If you must show the property yourself, think about how you will guide them through the house, once they’ve taken a tour offer them the chance to take a look on their own, but be on hand if they need to ask any questions. Point out the good things like south facing garden, but never highlight any problems.  Always be polite.

8 Be More Flexible
Try and be as flexible as possible – if you can be prepared to go into rented. When you come to buy you will be the start of the chain so will be in a much stronger position.

9. Accepting Offers
If you receive an offer – get all the background information on the buyer’s position and their ability to move quickly and if possible get the offer in writing.  Try and avoid long property chains.

10 Exchange Quickly  
Get information required back to your solicitor as quickly as possible.  Keep in contact with your estate agent and solicitor and if possible the buyer.  Find out when the survey is going to be done and when expected exchange will take place, be proactive.

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