If you want to sell your home there are many things to consider. The process can be time-consuming and stressful so you’ll want to minimise the impact on your life by taking advantage of any tips you can find. Here are a few to get you started:
Get an early idea of pricing
Instant online valuation tools can help you decide early on what your property might be worth at the click of a button. This is a good first step in checking your finances to ensure you can afford a move. Remember there are additional costs to a house move beyond the price of the property itself. At this point, you’ll also want to check your mortgage terms to see if any early repayment fees might be due, or whether you can transfer your mortgage to a new property.
Commission your Home Report
Your Home Report must be ready before you put your property on the market. This comprises a survey and valuation, a property questionnaire and your property’s energy report. It will give your prospective buyers the information they need to decide if your home is one for them to consider further.
Choose your experts wisely
Before instructing your estate agent and solicitor, do your research. Investigate fee structures, what they cover and when you are expected to pay them. Obtain recommendations from people you trust. You’ll want a responsive, proactive agent acting on your behalf to keep the process moving quickly and smoothly. You’ll also want to trust that they will do a good job for you and support you through the process.
Declutter, clean and tidy
To get your property ready for sale you’ll need to declutter, clean and repair to present it at its best. This is a good chance to go through what you own and decide whether to move it with you or whether it’s time to donate, sell or bin. During the cleaning process freshen up things such as paintwork and bathroom sealant that can quickly make a property look tired. Any other quick-fix jobs, such as broken hinges on cupboard doors that could give the same impression, should also be completed.
Get viewing ready
Following your decluttering, your home should now be cleaned and depersonalised. You’ll want to keep it this way for viewings. If items do begin to accumulate again then find a new hiding place so that what the prospective buyer sees on a viewing matches the marketing images that have got them through your door. Although you may be tempted to handle the viewings it’s best to leave it to the experts. It’s likely your buyers will be more comfortable with that too.
Be open-minded about offers
Once you’ve received interest in your home you can set your closing date for offers. However, when looking at the offers be mindful of different people’s circumstances and how that might impact your planned move. You might not be happy with the conditions set by the highest bidder and might decide instead to opt for a lower offer with conditions that are more agreeable to you.