A guest blog by Right Surveyors
When the time comes and you want to sell your home, the very idea of actually going to market can be quite stressful. The whole selling process can be made that bit easier if you know the basics. That’s why we have put together a few tips and words of advice to help you on your way.
The first step
Before you put your property on the market you need to make sure it’s ready to be viewed by complete strangers, looking to make your property their home. Luckily, there are a few minor things you can do that can make a quick impact.
When you are preparing to show off your property to potential buyers, it’s very important to ensure that it feels homely, yet clean. This is a delicate balance to achieve, but making sure you de-clutter is a sensible first step. This is especially important as buyers want to picture themselves living in their new home and anything that gets in the way of this fantasy damages the chances of receiving a bid. It might seem trivial but, for example, try drawing attention to the kitchen by removing the kettle and toaster, making the room feel slightly bigger with increased work space.
Equally, If you have any small outstanding repairs make sure you complete them before a buyer comes anywhere near property or before your estate agent takes any pictures where these issues might be visible. In a buyer’s mind, small blemishes and obvious but minor damage can cast doubt on just how well the property has been cared for.
Putting you property on the market
Firstly, you will need to have a market appraisal carried out on your home. An estate agent will carry this out for you and this will give you an idea of how much a buyer may be willing to pay and how much you should ask for. Finding an agent to suit you can be a challenging task, with an ever growing number of agents on the market - this is where netanagent.com comes in, helping you to compare and assess local and online estate agents.
Once you have a pool of agents you’d like to value your home, you’ll need to make sure you ask the right questions when they visit your property. Right Surveyors Staffordshire, a surveyor in Stoke, believes the most important questions to ask during a valuation appointment are:
What insight do you have into the local property market?
What do you offer over and above the rest of the market, to make sure you deliver a great service?
How will my home be marketed? What extra packages are available?
Do you have any buyers who might be interested in my property?
Your estate agent will be your best friend throughout the selling process. They will be the ones to arrange any viewings and will be marketing your property to its full potential. Choosing the right estate agent is the key to your home being successfully sold, so make sure you have someone you feel will support you and give you advice right up until you complete the sale. Chemistry is key.
Costs
You may be surprised by the number of different fees associated with selling a home and you will need to incorporate these into your budget. If you choose to advertise through an estate agent, you will need to pay agency fees - agents vary from a few hundred pounds fixed fee, to percentages of the final selling price. The cheapest option isn’t necessarily the best - whilst you might save on agent fees, you may not get the service you want. Remember, you need to rely on the agent - make sure you pay what you can afford, but don’t select an agent just on price.
In England and Wales it is necessary for you, as a seller, to provide an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate). This is a document which tells buyers how energy efficient your home is.
You will also have to pay solicitor legal conveyancing fees. Your solicitor will deal with the legal aspects of the selling process - your agent will be able to recommend one if you aren’t sure who to talk to.
If you are relocating, you need to keep some money aside for removal costs. These costs will vary depending on how far you’re moving or how many belongings you are taking with you. Make sure you get a number of quotes from different companies and also check customer reviews - it pays to shop around.
Getting an offer
Once potential buyers have viewed your home they may make you an offer and this might be below what you are asking. There is no need to accept or reject an offer straight away and it is always best to sleep on it and get back to them in a day or two. This is where your agent will help and guide you, to make sure you know how best to deal with every offer.
If you choose to accept an offer this is usually ‘subject to survey and contract’. This is standard and essentially means that barring any issue found on the survey, or within the contracts, the buyer intends to complete the sale. A survey gives a level of understanding about the structural soundness of a property - if your buyer is mortgaged, their mortgage company will commission a survey.
Remember, though, the offer and sale is not legally binding until contracts have been exchanged.
** Things to remember
**
You may not get the exact price you wanted for your home from an initial bid, but that’s okay. Your estate agent is there to help you achieve the best price for your property, but also to give you honest and genuine advice as to your expectations.
Make your home the best it can be. Keep everything tidy and clutter-free: Don’t forget about its kerb appeal as well.
Keep on top of any paperwork as this will make things move along quicker and create a stress-free sale.
Your estate agent will be able to help you with any issues you have concerning the sale of your home.
About the author:
The Right Surveyors are a national group of chartered surveyors, stretching from Penzance to Gateshead and everywhere in between. With 19 practices, each individually led by an experienced local chartered surveyor, we can provide any client, private or corporate, with the surveying service they need.
You can find out more by visiting the Right Surveyors website, or by using any of the following methods:
0800 880 6024 | enquiries@rightsurveyors.co.uk | @RightSurveyors (Twitter)
