5 Top Tips For Selling Your Home
Thinking about selling up and moving on? The pandemic and lockdown have encouraged many of us to re-evaluate our surroundings, our lifestyles, and our homes. The housing market is very buoyant right now, but as always and rightly so, buyers can be picky. Good presentation can mean the difference between a quick sale at a competitive asking price or your house stuck on the market and going nowhere.
During the selling process, there are two key ‘pinch points’ at which the presentation of your home matters. Firstly, when attracting the initial interest of buyers at the internet photos and viewings stage, and secondly when the surveyor calls to make her inspection and report to the prospective purchaser. Unfortunately, many sales fall through at this point due to issues that could and should have been sorted out before the property was put on the market. Sometimes it is because of a structural defect or larger issue that becomes apparent during the survey, but often it’s the ‘drip, drip’ effect of all those little things that put a buyer off.
In a competitive market it pays to get your house looking its best. You don’t need to spend a fortune but you do need to be prepared, so here are our 5 Top Tips to getting sold. Firstly, grab a piece of paper and a pen……..
Tip 1 – Make a List
Walk around room by room and make a list of all those little jobs that need doing or you have been putting off and / or putting up with. Don’t forget to include the garden or your house frontage because first impressions count – a lot. Kerb appeal creates a lasting impression. Then work out which jobs can be done yourself and which need a professional tradesperson to fix. Systematically work through the list and don’t forget to give yourself the satisfaction of ticking them off as you go along! Remember, if your buyer commissions a survey, all these ‘little’ things will be picked up by the surveyor.
Tip 2 – Imagine you are seeing your home for the first time
Everyone becomes ‘blind’ to their own personal surroundings, junk and clutter, it’s only natural. Try and imagine you are seeing your house for the first time with fresh eyes. De-clutter as much as you can but remember that you do not have to completely de-personalise. All homes have ‘messy-hotspots’ so tackle them first. Consider improving your storage, but don’t forget you are moving house anyway, so it’s all got to be sorted sooner or later.
Tip 3 – Style it up a bit
Now you have de-cluttered and again taking it room by room, add a bit of styling. This will improve the aesthetic of your home and create a positive ‘lifestyle’ impression on prospective buyers. You don’t need to go over the top, but consider adding fresh flowers or a potted plant, one or two new cushions or a new rug or doormat. How about a bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter or putting up a strategically placed mirror to improve the appearance of light and space in a small room? You get the idea.
Tip 4 – Keep it clean and smelling fresh!
An advert for a popular household deodorising product reminds us of the perils of going ‘Nose-Blind’! Just as it’s easy to become used to your own mess and clutter, the same is true for smell. Bad smells are the Number 1 biggest turn off for buyers. But, don’t just cover up bad smells with air freshener – fix the problem. Clean your house from top to bottom, change the bed sheets, unblock the kitchen sink, wash the bins, get rid of cigarette-fume ingrained furniture, and open the windows! If you have a dog take particular care, and I know you love him but, wet dog, poop, and smelly dog baskets are apparent as soon as you open the front door. Once you have gone to all the hard work of getting everything sparkling, remember to keep it that way for every viewing.
Tip 5 – Don’t be Greedy
Our final tip is to research the market, don’t be greedy and remain realistic about the value of your property. Every type of property in a particular location has a ceiling price no matter what you do to it. Don’t forget that estate agents can be highly competitive with one another and all of them want your custom. It has been known for some of them to suggest a slightly higher asking price in order to gain your business! Keep your head and consider any other estate agent valuations that you have received. If the asking price is too high then your house may not attract any offers and may become stuck on the market for a long time. Also, remember if prospective buyers request a professional valuation with their survey, then the RICS registered valuer may conclude that the asking price is unrealistic and advise their client accordingly. This may result in a sale falling through or you may be asked to lower your price. Worth considering from the beginning for a happy home-move.
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