Whether you’re keen to move around the corner, or you’re thinking of upping sticks and relocating to a different city, county or country, it’s wise to plan ahead if you’re selling your home. Unless you find yourself in a situation where you need to sell unexpectedly, it’s worth taking a few steps before the for sale sign goes up.
Sprucing up your property
If you’re preparing to put your house on the market, it’s natural to want to get the best price. Before you invite agents around, or start taking photographs for galleries and brochures, take a tour of the property, note down any jobs that need doing and give your home a spruce. Simple things like freshening up the paintwork, fixing broken doors and cleaning the windows can make a huge difference. It’s also a great idea to clean and tidy up and to declutter.
Many people will judge properties based on aesthetics and the images they see when they look online. It’s also important to note that your home will attract attention when there’s a for sale sign up outside, so enhancing curb appeal is a good idea. Paint the front door, add plants or a hanging basket to make the property more welcoming and tidy up the driveway and front garden.
Choosing an agent and exploring selling options
When it comes to selling your home, there are several crucial decisions to make, including how you’re going to sell the property and which agent you’re going to choose to market your home. Most people sell through estate agents that manage viewings and the negotiation of offers, usually over a period of time, but auctions are becoming more popular. If you’re keen to sell quickly, or you want to maximise your chances of getting a good price and wrapping up the transaction without any ups and downs and unexpected turns, you might be interested in considering an agents property auction. Some agents deal with auction properties, as well as traditional sales. If you are thinking of selling your home at auction, it’s important to think carefully about setting a reserve. Whichever method you choose, it’s worth doing some research into house prices in your local area and asking a series of agents to provide you with a valuation. The valuation will not dictate how much you get for your home. You might find that there’s a significant difference between the valuation and the offer price, especially if the supply of houses outweighs the demand in your neighbourhood.
Putting future plans into place
If you’re looking to sell, it’s wise to think about and plan your next move. Selling houses can take months, even years, but in some cases, the entire process can be completed in 6-8 weeks. If you’re thinking about buying property, figure out a budget and start searching for houses that match your criteria. If you’re toying with the idea of renting, contact local agents, arrange some viewings and create a short-list.
Before you put a for sale sign up outside your home, take these steps. Hopefully, they will lead to a quick, seamless, stress-free sale.
