It is common knowledge that selling a home is one of the most stressful periods in a person’s life, ranking just after death and divorce.
Your home is usually your most valuable asset and so it makes sense that that when it comes to its sale, most people can feel very pressured. This can be due to various factors, including the expense involved, the lengthy timescales that can occur, the dependence of other parties in a chain – and that’s not to mention the emotional attachment that many people feel to both their current home and their potential “dream” property.
The Residential Property team at AFG LAW have vast experience in this sector and offer their advice on ways to make your home sale easier.
Appoint the best estate agent
While it is of course possible to sell your home independently, having a great estate agent on board will be of huge benefit in terms of ensuring a quick and effective sale, with the minimal amount of stress.
Start off by talking to local estate agents to see what they can offer you and how their company works. Look at the pricing structure and clarify how much you will need to budget for their fees – and at the same time, delve in to their marketing strategy. How will they ensure your home stands out in a crowded market?
Look at their local knowledge, how they feel your home sits in the local market and how your home can achieve its full selling potential.
Lastly, ask around locally for recommendations. Word of mouth is often the best form of marketing.
Be realistic about price
It goes without saying that you will want to achieve the best possible price for your home. However, depending on your key objectives, a little strategic thought is often required.
Getting the asking price right when you put your property on sale is a key factor in how quickly you will find a buyer and the final price you will actually achieve.
Your local estate agent – see above – will be able to advise on this – however, it makes sense to also do your own research. A quick look online will enable you to sense check the figure predicted by the estate agent – and these can vary hugely.
It is very important to remove any emotion from your final pricing decision – too high and you may put people off – yet too low may also impede your ability to buy your next property.
Do your research and take the advice of your estate agent – and above all, be realistic in your expectations.
Ensure it looks the part
To give your home the best chance of a quick sale – at the best asking price – you need to take a bird’s eye view. When you are living in a property, it becomes very familiar and you may overlook the things that might put buyers off – or fail to highlight the top selling points.
Ask for an objective opinion – ask for a trusted friend or neighbour to assess your home with fresh eyes. Tell them to be brutally honest!
Clear the clutter – give your prospective buyers that opportunity to image how their lives would look in your home – and to do this, remove some “stuff”. If rooms look too busy, they can look smaller and like you have a lack of storage space. Pack away all you can, or if required, take a storage unit.
De-personalise – as above, your buyers want to imagine themselves living in your home – so take away any photos and personal mementos. However, make sure you keep some character – people want to live in a home, not a show house.
Basic maintenance – that cupboard door that you no longer notice doesn’t have a handle? The worn patch of carpet on the stairs? You will likely have grown used to them now – but simple things like this will be picked up on by potential buyers. Do the basics – and secure the sale.
Appoint a good solicitor
Having a great solicitor on your side to look after the legal side of selling your home can make all the difference in what can be a very stressful period. Choose a solicitor with good local knowledge and one that has a good relationship with local estate agents.
The AFG LAW specialist Residential Conveyancing team provide expert advice and guidance on the process of buying and selling property.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned property investor – or anything in between, our experienced and friendly team will guide you through what can often be a stressful process.
We provide all our clients with a detailed quote to avoid any unexpected charges when the transaction is completed.
Get in touch
If you are looking to move home this year, please contact us to discuss what is involved and what you can expect throughout the experience. At AFG LAW your best interests are always our priority. Whilst we appreciate that you want the transaction to proceed as quickly as possible, we ensure that the job is done properly and that you are protected at all stages. We will work with you to meet all your expectations and will keep you updated along the way.
For more information, please contact our team on 01204 377600 or email info@afglaw.co.uk.