Tips for Selling

p>Target Market and Timing The first step to selling your property quickly and painlessly is to consider your target market. Who do you think might buy your property? Then try to tailor your space to appeal to the main group without alienating other groups that might also be interested. So if you feel a professional couple would be ideal, then turn the 2nd bed/office back into a bedroom and make a space for a workstation elsewhere in the house. This will ensure that the house would still appeal to a young couple with a small child. Spring (Feb/Mar) and Autumn (Sep) are the key times to sell your property when traditionally demand outstrips supply and therefore prices are usually at their most buoyant.

De-Clutter and De-Personalise

Potential buyers need to imagine themselves living in your house, so get rid of ornaments and photos - especially posters in kids' bedrooms. Put things you don't really use on a daily basis in the attic or storage. Large pieces of furniture should also go into storage; this will make rooms feel much bigger. Focus on the hallway - clear away coats/clutter; the bathroom - hide all your products; and the kitchen - clear the bench surfaces of appliances, jars, tins, etc, and replace any ragged tea towels or smelly bins.

Freshen Up

A fresh coat of neutral paint, new tiling or lino, and a couple of new kitchen doors can do wonders to smarten up a tired-looking property. If you can't stretch to re-tiling in the bathroom, re-grouting should bring it up new. The same effect can be achieved by installing matching chrome fittings; replacing broken light bulbs; re-painting the front door; ironing sheets in the bedroom; taking down any heavy dark drapes; installing up-lighters in the living room for subtle lighting; and strategically placing flowers throughout.

Clean Up

If you'd rather not re-decorate, it is still essential that the house be spotless. Getting industrial cleaners in to really make the place sparkle will be money well-spent; have the carpets, sofa covers, oven and windows cleaned while you're at it. Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms, which need to be inviting and hygienic; finish up with a new loo seat; fresh white towels; and a strategically placed plant or two. Watch out for over-stuffed wardrobes - yes, people do look in them to check the amount of storage space - so clear them out. Finally, the garden is now seen as an additional room, so be sure to make your garden feel like a great space for entertaining and relaxing.

Let us be your one stop property solution

Let us come and value your property. We take a lot of pride in our knowledge in the area and from our research on a case by case basis we know our pricing is spot on.Preparation is key, so it's a good idea to instruct a solicitor to do your conveyancing early. We work with reputable property lawyers who will prepare a draft contract and apply for the title deeds, while you pull together all your own paperwork on the property - that is, all building certificates for any structural building work carried out, and any valid work guarantees for word worm, damp, etc.

Costs

Whether we are your sole or multi agent we are flexible on our fees and we can work on either a fixed fee or if you prefer we can work on a percentage.Our recommended property lawyers operate on a fixed fee basis and some can provide a no move no fee guarantee.

Preparing for Viewings

Everyone knows that first impressions count, and you'll want the house to appeal to as many people as possible; the more people there are who like the property, the higher the selling price should be. So sweep up, and make sure the front yard and hall to your house are tidy and inviting. Leave the pets with a neighbour, and thoroughly clean up any cat hair in particular, as many people are allergic to animal hair. Turn the lights and heating on; air out the house; and don't smoke or cook before viewings. If you've got parking, leave the space free for the buyer - this will add to the whole experience.

Showing a Property

We really enjoy doing this; after all it is our job, If you would like to be at the viewing we do not object as the prospective buyer may have some questions that we do not know the answer to. If you must show your property yourself, then decide beforehand what order you will show the rooms, and guide viewers around the property once, showing the best rooms first or last. Don't overload them with detail, such as the size of your boiler or the trouble with the neighbour's cat. Be business-like during the first viewing; if someone is interested, you can always get to know them a little more on the second viewing. Never point out problems or issues, but do feel free to highlight the odd positive point, like a south-facing garden, or very convenient parking. Finally, invite viewers to take another tour round the property on their own... but don't go off and make a phone call - be somewhere nearby, on hand to answer queries.

Choosing the Best Buyer

We are on your side and we are here to achieve for you the best possible price we can, however listen to our advice on buyers, we will vet them and furnish you with all the information you need. For example, how are they financing the purchase? Cash buyers are good but do they have proof of funds?,  if they are raising a mortgage we will ask to see a mortgage 'in principle' letter from their lender. We will establish their position, are they first-time buyers? If so, they will need some more guidance perhaps by us and could slightly extend the  conveyancing process. Do they have a related transaction? If they have something to sell, then it should be under offer before you take your property off the market. The most important thing here is to find a buyer to suit your time-scale and our advice and guidance will be there tailored for you.

Accepting Offers

We will be the middle party and will present every offer that is made. We will have all the background information to hand on the buyer's position, and the ability to move quickly and all offers will be verbal and also made in writing. Market conditions, competition and how much the buyer loves the property will determine what the buyer is prepared to offer. Similarly, the price you will be prepared to accept will depend on market conditions; how quickly you need to sell; and the size of your moving budget. Compromise on both sides is often the key to securing a deal. Also, know whether you want to keep all your furniture, curtains and white goods, as many of these items may not suit your next home, and can be used as effective bargaining tools to get the price you want.

Holding the Deal Together

This is where the hard work starts, and the longer it takes to reach exchange of contracts, the higher the chances of the deal falling out of bed or of the buyer chipping (i.e. reducing their price). We will be in weekly contact with you, your solicitor, your buyers solicitor and your buyer to ensure that channels of communication stay open. You will informed of where the conveyancing is at, and how your buyer is feeling about the progress of the transaction.

Moving Day

Keep calm the hard bit is over it is now time to start your new life in your new home, completion normally takes place either first thing in the morning or just after lunch time.Once a call is received by your lawyer saying that the transaction has completed and they have the money then the property is no longer owned by you. The keys will only be given to the buyers by us at that moment.