Conveyancing Free information guide
Preparing your home for sale:
A practical guide to selling your property Selling a property is a big deal for most people, especially if the property involved is also your home. Selling a property is a big deal for most people, especially if the property involved is also your home. Over the last few years there have been countless books and TV shows devoted to the subject of improving your property, and as a consequence buyers are developing higher expectations. Although the advice provided by many property experts will differ, one element that remains constant is that for most of us there’ll be a need to put some effort into preparing your property for sale before you place it on the market.
Why bother? Most people wouldn’t think twice about washing and valeting their car before they sell it, so why do so many people forget to apply this principle to their property?
on the market. If you scrutinise your property hard you’ll be amazed at the list of jobs you can end up with, and you’ll find you need the time. Something else to consider is the merits of undertaking the task before you invite estate agents to visit and value your property. Estate agents are no different from everyone else, and so the presentation of the property will effect their valuation of t it, and in some cases, their whole approach to selling it. Remember, if you decide to get your property valued before you’ve undertaken any remedial work, get estate agents then to come back and revalue it once the work’s completed. Even if it doesn’t significantly increase their valuation, it’ll help them market the property.
How to start? Get your head straight
Accepting that not everyone is a lover of DIY there are two key benefits to spending time preparing your property for sale:
Understandably, most people are proud of their homes; they reflect our personalities and so they’re highly personal.
●● Money – if a property is perceived to require maintenance work or improvement, buyers will negotiate hard, and this will be reflected in what they’re prepared to pay. Often they’ll expect the price they pay to reflect more than the actual cost of the work involved.
The first thing is to try and consider the prospect of selling your property as purely a business deal and remove the personal element as much as possible from your thought process; think about where you are moving to and the home you’ll be building and be prepared to ‘let go’ of your current home.
●● Time – many buyers struggle to see past a property’s issues and as result a poorly presented property will take longer to sell than one that has had some time and effort invested in it.
To start with, you need to carry out a dispassionate and genuinely critical review of your property – remember, it’s not about what you think and like now, it’s about what other people will think and like.
When should you start?
Where to start? Take a long hard look
Where possible, take time to plan the marketing of your property. Depending on your personal circumstances and the condition of your property, ideally you should be considering what you need to do with your property one to two months before you intend to put it
Building on the advice given about not letting your personal preferences get in the way, the first thing you need to do is conduct a thorough, dispassionate, and critical assessment of your property.
If you really think you can’t trust yourself to do this, maybe ask someone else to do it for you – but be prepared to take their criticism positively. In some cases, estate agents will offer a few suggestions and you may want to consider this option.
these can leave strong odours that many buyers will find unattractive.
You need to review both the exterior and the interior of your property.
Small repairs v major improvements: Knowing when to stop
At the end of this factsheet we’ve compiled a detailed room-by-room checklist that you can use when assessing your property, but before you do, there are some key principles that are worth considering.
Kerb appeal Most prospective buyers will often drive past to view your property before considering whether to invest the time to view inside. In fact, since the launch of Google Earth many people are using it to view the exterior of properties and the surrounding neighbourhood from the comfort of home via their PC; all the more reason why your home must provide a strong initial impression. If in any doubt about the power of kerb appeal, drive down a road and try and recall the properties you remember passing; you’ll probably find there are two types – the ones that looked great and the ones that looked awful; all the others you won’t recall at all. Potential buyers will be inundated by estate agents with details of houses, so you must make yours stand out from the first photo they see of it.
Maximise space Create space by removing clutter. Rooms crammed with too much furniture, toys, books or anything else will create the impression that your property is small. Buyers want space. Consider storing some items at least while you’re moving home. Having a clear out ahead of marketing your property can be beneficial for other reasons, too. You’ll be surprised how much money you can raise selling items on eBay, and the more you can cut down your personal belongings, the less you have to pack and pay to be moved when you leave. Personal storage firms such as Yellow Box will rent you a storage crate for just a few pounds per week.
Cleanliness: Make it shine Before you even get a paint brush out, have a really good cleaning session – you’ll be surprised how much this can lift the appearance of a property. In some cases, cleaning can actually remove the need to replace; for example, carpets can be transformed with a good shampoo and vacuum. It’s also important to consider that windows make up a significant percentage of the property’s structure and if these aren’t letting in light due to dirt and smears it can have a negative impact on the visual appearance and light levels in rooms. There are certain circumstances where thorough cleaning is an absolute must, such as where pets are kept, where strong smelling food is prepared regularly, or of people smoke in the property. All of
Having cleaned your property, the trick is then keeping it clean and tidy whilst you’re marketing it.
How much work should you undertake? You can create a positive improvement without having to spend thousands. If you critique your home thoroughly you’ll find a long list of small ‘niggly’ jobs. Silly things such as a blown spotlight, a rusty letterbox or sagging kitchen unit doors all contribute to the overall impression of a property. If you don’t feel able to undertake even simple repairs, then get a handyman to come round to price up the work. If you can give them sufficient work they may agree a day rate. Depending on your property and your financial circumstances it may be financially beneficial to consider undertaking more extensive improvements, although we’d definitely advise seeking input from an estate agent on the merits of doing so, as it’s possible to spend more than you recoup. Bathrooms and kitchens are key rooms that affect the value of any property. But again, you don’t have to go to the extent of full replacement. It’s possible with most modern kitchens to just replace the doors, while in bathrooms often just changing items such as taps, tiles or flooring can have an amazing effect. If you do decide to fit a new kitchen or bathroom, remember you’re selling the property, and it’s not about your personal preferences, so don’t get carried away.
Removing temptation If there are certain fixtures or fittings you’ve no intention of leaving, consider replacing them before you move. If a buyer hasn’t seen your grandmother’s chandelier they won’t expect it to be included in the sale, but if they have, they may make it a condition of their offer – its things like this that put a strain on negotiations.
Create a buyers’ environment: Make it feel like a home When people come to view, it’s crucial you create the very best environment for the viewing. Many people talk about buyers liking the smell of freshly baked bread, but in reality this won’t be possible for most of us. However, just as bad odours can be off putting, the smell of air fresheners, polish and fresh flowers do help create a good atmosphere, but don’t go over the top, as it can be overpowering. Lighting also plays a key part in the look and feel of a room, so experiment what works best in each room. If it’s winter and your home has a fireplace, get a fire going. If it’s summer, and you have patio doors, make sure they’re open. Both tricks will help buyers better visualise what it’s like to live in your property.
Think about who’ll be in the house when buyers are viewing, and try to ensure it’s a calm and tranquil environment. Also, consider if it’s worth tipping off your neighbours – they can then be more considerate as a result in terms of where they park their cars and the noise they make.
Summary Hopefully this guide has highlighted that there’s a lot you can do to maximise both the value of your property and achieve a quick sale. We’ve put together a handy checklist so you can prepare your house for marketing, and refer to ahead of every viewing. More information about other property-related matters can be found
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