Finally, you’re ready to move onto your next home. However, in order to raise the funds, you’ll need to sell your existing house first. This can be daunting, especially if you’ve never sold a property before.
Here are a few tips on how to sell your home successfully and get the best possible price for it.
Before You Put it on the Market
- Address any major issues. Serious structural or cosmetic issues will deter buyers, so it’s a good idea to sort these out before you put your house up for sale. Even small improvements like a fresh coat of paint and a thorough clean can make the world of difference.
- Update key areas. Buyers often focus on the kitchen and the bathroom, as these rooms are the costliest to update. If your bathroom suite is decades old, consider investing in a budget-friendly white suite to replace it. In the kitchen, sanding down the cupboard doors and painting them a new colour can instantly bring the decor into the 21st century.
- Do your research. Before you start calling the estate agents, it’s worthwhile researching the market and finding out how much your property is worth. Then, when you meet with the estate agent, you’ll know if their valuation sounds right or not.
- Get the right estate agent. An estate agent can make or break the sale. You want an agent who:
- Knows the area well, so they can answer prospective buyers’ questions.
- Is willing to go the extra mile in terms of marketing etc.
- Is happy to communicate with you throughout the process.
- Is experienced and has a good reputation in the area.
When On the Market
- Read the particulars. Your estate agent will put together the property particulars, which will be shown to prospective buyers. Read this document carefully. If you feel that the estate agent has missed anything important, ask them to make changes before making it available to interested parties.
- Get ready for viewings. At a viewing, you want the prospective buyer to be experience the ‘wow factor’, right from the moment they arrive at your front door. With that in mind, make sure you do the following:
- Keep the front garden area tidy. If you’ve got a front garden, make sure all plants are pruned and the path is clean. The same applies for the front door – this is the first thing they’ll see, and first impressions are important.
- Clear away clutter.Remove as much clutter from the house as possible. This means tidying children’s toys away, removing unnecessary items from the kitchen countertops, and putting toiletries / cosmetics /medication in the appropriate cupboards. If you come unstuck with bulky items, store them temporarily in the car.
- Clean thoroughly.It goes without saying that you should vacuum clean the carpets, dust all surfaces and get the furniture polish out. Make sure everything looks as spotless as possible.
- Rid the house of smells.Avoid cooking before a viewing (unless it’s a loaf of bread, which creates a welcoming aroma). If you’ve got a cat litter-tray or a dog-basket, put them out of sight until the viewing is over.
When You Get an Offer…
Receiving an offer is an exciting moment. However, unless they’ve agreed to your asking price, there’s no rush to decide. As well as the offer itself, you’ll need to consider the buyer’s financial position. For example, are they in a chain or first-time buyers? Do they have the cash upfront? How quickly are they looking to move in?
Remember, your estate agent can help you to make the right choice – that’s what they’re there for.