Ideal for getting the most from your property sale.
Though the housing market is a little topsy turvy at the moment, the wheels keep turning. And here’s a statistic to bring those looking to sell some optimism; on average, 1.2 million houses are sold in the UK every year. Is yours going to be one of them?
For those keen to be part of that statistic, it’s certainly sensible to make sure you’re getting the maximum value for your property sale, and that you’re doing all you can to ensure your home is at its full potential for viewers.
So if you’re wondering how to make sure you’re getting the best value for your property sale and want to know some insider secrets on selling your home, you’ve come to the right place. Indeed, if you’re looking to sell your home and want to make it stand out among the rest of the properties on the housing market right now, then read on; here’s how to maximise your home’s worth, IDEAL for getting the most from your property sale.
IT’S ALL ABOUT TIMING
In the words of Tolstoy; ”the two most powerful warriors are patience and time’’. And while it’s doing War & Peace a serious disservice to apply this sage advice to the contemporary housing market, he would’ve kinda had a point. Indeed, knowing if it’s a good time to sell, and resisting the urge to hurry, can have a significant bearing on the price you command.
If there aren’t many houses like yours up for Property sale in your area, then embrace this blessing; it’s a seller’s market in this instance, and this gives you the upper hand. So, do endeavour to check out your competition before you decide to sell.
If you’re in a hurry to sell, you probably aren’t considering any major updates to your property, but some small changes can still have a big impact.
SET THE RIGHT PRICE
As well as checking asking prices in the area, you should check how much similar houses have actually sold for. Be realistic when making comparisons, as overpricing your property may put people off.
Compare the market (without resorting to singing that song) and ask yourself some searching questions. A similar property may have the same number of rooms, but is it decorated to a higher standard? Does it have something your property doesn’t? Be honest with yourself here.
MAKE YOUR HOUSE SHINE
Try and figure out who you are selling to and make your property appeal to those people. For example, if you have a rental property for sale, make sure you can provide a good history of tenancy. If you have an investment property for sale, the buyer will want to spend as little as possible on bureaucracy, so make sure this element is quick and manageable from your end.
Make sure your house is spick and span, too, putting extra effort into the areas you usually forget about. Remember to look up, get down, and inside places you don’t normally go.
Go the extra mile and consider staging your home inside; viewers want to see a place they can imagine living in. If your home would be perfect for a family, consider putting a bed or a cot in the spare room. Making the home feel homely by baking bread or putting a pot of coffee on just before they come round is a classic estate agent trick, sure, but it really does work.
Bear in mind that anything with the potential to negatively detract from viewers being able to see themselves living in your house is a bad thing – so remove clutter and think about moving the furniture around (or even removing it) so the house looks bigger. Should you have photos of you and yours all over the house, it will be hard for anyone to imagine living there themselves, so pack up your personal belongings and put them out of view. The secret here is treading the line between personal and impersonal.
IMPROVE THE KERB APPEAL
The first place which comes under scrutiny is the home’s exterior. As such, the facade needs to be faultless so the first thing you should do is check your kerb appeal and make adjustments where you find it wanting.
What is the first thing people see when they arrive at your home? The front garden, the front door, the state of the front windows…make sure it’s all looking perfect.
Tidy any rubbish, clean your front door, repair anything which has seen better days. Consider making minor improvements like repainting woodwork or fixing that wonky door handle; it all counts.
NEGOTIATING THE BEST PRICE FOR YOUR PROPERTY SALE
Finally, be bold but smart when negotiating. Don’t be afraid to decline the first offer and ask for a little more, but equally, know when the price is right.
Maybe there are items you don’t really need that you could include in the property sale which give you an edge over competing properties? Do your homework here and you stand yourself in better stead of maximising your home’s value.
Do try to be flexible with your moving dates and have somewhere lined up. If your onward purchase is all set, you’ll be more appealing to potential buyers.
Most importantly, ask yourself, what is my house worth? And don’t be afraid to hold out for exactly that.