Top Tips for Selling Your Home

If you have decided to put your property on the market, remember that it can take anything from four weeks to several months to sell, particularly if a chain is involved.

Preparing your home for viewings is time well spent. It will not only ensure that your property is sold faster, but could add thousands of pounds to its value.

You need to get the buyer to connect with your home, imagine how it will suit their household, and make it irresistible to them.

So we’ve come up with our top tips for selling your home in today’s market.

 

Estate agent

When you want to sell your home, you can take advantage of expertise by choosing an estate agent that is an RICS member and follows the standards laid out in our Blue Book: Residential Property Standards.

It’s a good idea to choose a local RICS-accredited estate agent with experience of selling homes such as yours. Here is some advice to help you make a decision:

• when getting valuations from different agents, bear in mind that the highest figure may not be the most realistic
• check their terms and conditions – charges may vary
• find out exactly what you’re paying for – how the agent will advertise your property, and where
• you may be able to negotiate fees, although most agents charge a standard fee based on a percentage of the selling price
• agree a maximum selling time – if you’re happy with the service, you can always extend it, and if you’re not, you can change agents when the time’s up.

An estate agent will discuss with you the best way to sell your property, the price to expect from the sale and the various marketing options. You will need to sign a contract with the estate agent marketing your property.

 

First impressions

The majority of buyers will form their first impression of your house within a few seconds, so it’s essential to spend some time improving what is referred to as the “kerb appeal” of your home.

Put up some hanging baskets to add colour, and, if you have a garden, plant some bedding flowers. Move bins out of view and clear away anything else that is unsightly.

 

Fix it

Got a dripping tap or a cracked tile? These will send the wrong message to potential buyers. From removing grubby sealant to replacing damaged areas of carpet, getting all problems fixed before putting the house on the market is a smart idea.

 

Clear up your clutter

Make sure that all your rooms are clutter-free, and as light and airy as possible. Wall mirrors make a room look much bigger and lighter, so consider putting some up, especially in smaller rooms or hallways.

Potential buyers need to be able to envisage what the property would look like if they were living there. This is something that many people can find difficult, so make it easy for them by showing off the living space available.

 

Energy use

All homes being sold require an energy performance certificate (EPC). Its purpose is to rate the building’s energy efficiency and carbon emissions from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is very inefficient.

This allows prospective tenants to consider energy efficiency and fuel costs as part of their investment. An EPC is always accompanied by a report that recommends measures to improve the rating.

 

Freshen up

Giving your home a fresh lick of a neutrally coloured paint will make it seem lighter and bigger, so potential buyers can more readily imagine themselves in the property.

It will also make it easier for buyers to move in quickly, without having to worry about redecorating a bright pink room.