How to increase the chances of selling your home
Selling your house can be the difference between getting your dream home or having to settle with second best. The process alone is stressful and complicated without the added worry of if your old place will even sell. Sometimes we just need a simple reminder of what we need to do to get back on track.
It takes an average of three to five months for property to sell depending on the demand. Take a good look at your property: is it in a desirable location, is it functional or pleasing to the eye, did you just put it up to sell a week ago? Of course the more expensive the property the longer it will also take to sell because of the lack of buyers in the budget range. All these are important factors to keep in mind when selling your house.
1. Sell your property using multiple agents
Estate agents only have around a quarter of the market share when it comes to any area so there is a lot of competition between agencies. As a result, it is highly beneficial to sell your home via a multi-agent sales process to increase exposure and offer rates.
2. Present your house with a buyer in mind
When presenting your house to a potential buyer, what you need to aim for is making them feel welcome. Let them visualise themselves living in your home and making it theirs. Show them where the kettle would be but also leave space for them to imagine what they would put beside it. Find the balance between cleaning out the space and making it look like a place they can call home.
3. Revive and freshen up the house
Paint over the doodles on the wall and fix that broken light in the kitchen. Make your property look presentable so all the future owners have to worry about is redecorating.
4. Make the first impression count
A neat kept garden will give potential buyers a good impression of the property. You don’t need to spend excessively on exotic plants or water features. Just have the windows cleaned and cut the grass to ensure that all important first impression is a good one.
5. Take pictures of your home in the correct way
It’s all well and good to have an immaculate home but your pictures need to showcase it. Ensure your pictures are taken in good lighting and take multiple shots of each room so you can pick the best ones. If you are unsure what to take pictures of within your home seek advice from your estate agent.
6. Regularly assess whether your home is at the right price point
Making sure your property has been correctly valued could be the difference between finding a buyer or not. Sometimes an estate agent can overvalue your property, not fully taking into account the neighbourhood you live in or the average home prices around the area. Add in the competition of other properties and agencies, your home may be up with a disadvantaged price. Have a look at the homes selling around your area and compare it to your own, is it overpriced or maybe even under-priced. Review this regularly to give yourself the best chance of finding a buyer.
7. Have patience
Your price may be reasonable and your pictures pretty as can be but perhaps you picked a bad time to sell. On average, spring is the best time of year to sell your home with late autumn and early winter being the next best thing. But remember to take it with a grain of salt. These are not the only times your property can sell just the periods in which it is most common.
A few tips for selling like a pro
- Choose the estate agent with the best record and talk to them yourself, don’t rely just on your friend or a random top ten YouTube video.
- When negotiating a deal you should make sure there is no exclusivity clause in the contract. With this you can negotiate smaller fees while managing less of the process as well as take advantage of future tips.
- Don’t leave it all up to your agency. Get involved and monitor your viewing activity so you can take action if necessary or be rest assured when it’s going well.
- Find a second estate agent after a few weeks to bring more exposure to your property and keep up the momentum of your property. Different agencies will also be in competition so they will work harder to find a buyer for you first.
- Answer all questions within a reasonable time, preferably 24 hours. If you have a buyer, do not keep them waiting. Being in constant contact can be the one thing that stops them from moving on to another property. Be hospitable and help as much as you can.
And finally, can you buy a house before you’ve sold yours?
Technically, yes. Is it practical, often no. Houses aren’t cheap. For the average person, buying without selling your previous property first has financial risks attached therefore it is important to consider the sustainability of such an endeavour. If you cannot sustain both properties in the long term on the basis your current property may not sell in the foreseeable future, it would be a large financial risk to take. Most finance options for owning two properties accommodate for short term situations such as ‘quick sales’ and bridging loans. These are only advisable if you can financially sustain two properties in the long term to begin with.
Why choose Versus Law for your conveyancing needs?
Whether you are selling, buying or both when you instruct Versus Law Solicitors to complete your residential conveyancing you will receive a diligent and transparent service throughout the conveyancing process. We provide expert advice and guidance at every stage of the process. We will also resolve any legal issues that may arise.
With more than 10 years’ experience as award-winning residential conveyancing solicitors in Manchester, our acumen is unquestioned. Our thorough residential conveyancing services include the following:
- Full legal support when buying or selling a residential property, including Buy to Let and other investments
- Handling or mortgage transfer
- Equity Release Schemes
- Legal guidance on Buy to Let Schemes
- Legal guidance on Right to Buy Schemes
- Shariah finance
- Sound legal advice on lease and freehold properties
- Buying or selling a property at auction
- Purchasing a new build
Interested in learning more about why Versus Law has built a standout reputation as one of the most conscientious and trustworthy residential conveyancing solicitors in Manchester? Contact us today on 0161 413 2839 or email us at property@versuslaw.co.uk for your FREE consultation. If you prefer, you can complete our contact form here.