Advice on
selling your property

Here are ten top tips on selling your property. Also find ou how to improve your 'kerb appeal' here

• Target The Market
  You need to think carefully about the type of person your property is suited to. Once you have done this try and tailor your space to appeal to the main group whilst not alienating other groups. For example a two bedroom town house would probably suit a professional couple who would use bedroom two as an office, but you need to bear in mind that a young couple with baby on the way may also view. Don’t have the second bedroom as an office, but do find a space elsewhere for a workstation. This way you have appealed to both.
• De Clutter/Personalise
  Potential buyers have to imagine themselves living in your house. Get rid of ornaments and photos. Kids bedrooms are the worst, loose the themes and posters. Anything that you do not use on a daily basis needs to be boxed and stored in the attic. Big items of furniture are best put into storage to make rooms look larger. Focus on the entrance area, clear away coats, shoes etc. Bathrooms and kitchens need to be clear. Put away all your products in the bathroom and place clean towels on rails. Clear work surfaces in the kitchen. Replace any ragged tea towels and clean the bin!
• Keep It Fresh
  The cost of a big tin of magnolia paint could save you that extra re payment on your mortgage. Make sure your entrance door is clean, if upvc and freshly painted if wood. Make sure the beds are made and the covers are ironed. Take down any heavy dark drapes. Make sure you have plenty of up-lighting in any dark rooms. Have lamp shades to all lights and make sure you have no broken bulbs. Fresh flowers in plain vases placed around the house are appealing.
• Keep It Clean
  It is essential that your house is spotless when selling. It is worth the expense of getting carpets, curtains, sofa covers, oven and windows cleaned. Special attention again to kitchens and bathrooms. Does your sink sparkle, have you bleached around the base of the taps? Could you do with a new loo seat? Gardens are seen as the latest ‘room’ in the house. Pick up the kids bikes, clear up any pet ‘litter’, arrange a nice table and chairs and clean the bar-b-que!
• Instructing Your Estate Agent
  Try to get three agents valuations. Don’t necessarily go for the highest valuation and the lowest fee. These agents tend to collect houses rather than sell them. DON’T be persuaded to sign a sole agency, a bit of healthy competition between agents will have them working even harder to sell your property first! Choose the one you can relate to and talk to and who listens to you. The agent who is honest about your property and gives the best advise. Brochure quality is essential as this is often the first time your property is seen. DON’T be fooled into going with an agent just because you are buying through them, that’s an old trick.
• Instructing Your Legal Representative
  A solicitor will present you with a bill whether your sale goes ahead or not and if any complications arise you will be charged extra for every single phone call, letter or fax that is necessary. A conveyancing specialist or property lawyer will operate a no sale no fee scheme. They will quote you up front and will honour that quote no matter what. They won’t use legal jargon and will act on faxes, emails and phone calls rather than having to do everything by post. Ask your agent to recommend someone and if they can’t, you are with the wrong agent.
• Tell People
  Get a board up!!! If you seriously want to sell your house, you need to let people know. People drive around and look for boards, how else will they know when cruising the area? Also word of mouth is a powerful tool and your neighbours will tell everyone!
• The Viewing
  We all know that old chestnut, first impressions count. IT’S RIGHT!! We have already covered the basics, we are now going to get a bit more sensitive. Loose the non caged pets, smoke out doors and forget the curry! ‘It smelt’ is the most common feedback we get, make sure that is not your house. Don’t point out any issues whatsoever ie the neighbours cat digs in your borders or the conifers at the bottom of the garden are far too high! Be business like and answer all questions to the best of your knowledge. Offer them another stroll round on their own, but still be available to answer further queries.
• Accepting Offers
  Your agent will be the negotiator. Make sure they have qualified your potential buyer thoroughly and are confident they are in a position to be offering. Agents are legally obliged to put forward any offers, so if the first one is insulting, please don’t blame the agent. The highest offer is not always the best. The person who can deliver an exchange date swiftly is often the best choice. Remember, take your agents advice. Don’t automatically include fixtures and fittings as these along with white goods can be used as negotiating tools.
• Keeping The Deal Together
  This is when your agent really starts the hard work on your behalf. The longer a deal takes to exchange the more chance it has got of falling out of bed. Make sure your agent updates you weekly on the progress and keeps in regular contact with your conveyancer. If you find out anything untoward, please tell your agent. Your agent should be completely honest with you even if the news is not good. Remember, you are paying your agent to sell your house you should not have to hound them!!!!!!!!!

Improve your 'kerb appeal' here

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