Tips that will help us sell your home

When selling your home, probably your largest financial asset, it’s important to keep aiming to secure the property’s highest value by maximising its selling potential. To give you a headstart, here are our top four dos and don’ts:

1. Curb appeal

Show your property in the best possible light. Most potential buyers look at the property from the outside prior to deciding to view, so if there is something adverse, you may not even get them over the threshold. You cannot afford to lose any opportunities, so do all you can to create the very best impression.

A favourite buzzword of estate agents is ‘de-clutter’ and for good reason. A buyer needs to imagine living in a house, something much easier to do without a strong personal style in evidence. The golden rule is to work on first impressions. And remember, the exterior of a house is just as important as the interior.

2. Be flexible

As a seller in a buyers’ market, you will also need to be flexible about viewing times and being welcoming to the buyers. Offer them a cup of tea, even though it might be irritating when they accept and then stay too long. Make sure nothing stands in the way of getting that potential buyer into your property. You would be staggered at how many sellers make viewings difficult. If there is any resistance, however small, you could reduce your chances of selling.

Make sure you have a ‘For Sale’ sign and that it’s straight, clean and smart at all times. Are the  photographs of your property good quality, clear and current as ones with snow on from the previous season don’t really work! If you have decorated to get rid of garish colour schemes, tell the agent so new photographs can be produced to showcase your asset.

3.Find a hungry estate agent

We don’t mean one that hasn’t sold a house for ages and is in need of food! We mean an agent that really wants your business and is prepared to work hard for it. Ask all the agents that value your home what their plan is to make it sell. Keep an eye out for an experienced agent that excites you.

Remember, all agents put the details of homes in the windows of their offices, in newspaper adverts and on the major websites. What else can they bring to the party? Don’t be scared to ask tough questions and demand innovation. The acid test for any property is the market. The market will tell you what your house is worth and whether you’ve priced it correctly.

Your choice of estate agent is crucial in the success of your move. By instructing a professional, honest and effective estate agent, you should benefit from sound advice and your move is much more likely to proceed. At movewithus, we are able to advise you on the best choice of estate agent from our nationwide network of hand selected, carefully monitored estate agents across the UK.

4. Really know your competition

Look online for your competitors. Know what the differences are between your property and others on the market. Being knowledgeable about what else is out there will show that you have taken the time to understand how the market is at present and will install confidence in viewers regarding your asking price.

Also, ask for updates from your estate agent regarding what else they have sold on a weekly basis. Try and learn from other sales how, why and what else could you do to achieve a sale. Some basic but sound advice - you just need to be critical, objective and realistic about why your competition could command a higher (or lower) price tag to your own house.