|
|
The average person will only buy and sell a few
properties in their lifetime. This means that the process of
selling a property, especially if you are hoping for a quick
sale, can feel like a bit of a minefield. There are a number of
mistakes that homeowners often make when trying to sell their
property. These are some of the most common mistakes we see;
avoid them and you will significantly improve your chances of a
quick and successful house sale.
|
Not giving the house a
thorough deep clean
It should go without saying, but you will be
surprised how many people do not bother to give their property a proper
clean before perspective buyers come to view it. A simple dust and
vacuum just will not cut it if you are hoping to impress your viewers.
Commonly neglected areas that should be addressed in preparation for a
house viewing include doorframes, lampshades, shower screens, extractor
fans, door handles and light switches.
If you know that
cleaning is not your forte, it is worth hiring a professional cleaner to
come and give your property a thorough deep clean. You may also want to
hire a professional carpet and upholstery cleaner to get your home
looking and smelling its best. |
|
|
|
Declutter
|
|
|
|
|
One of the biggest mistakes
homeowners make when trying to sell their property is neglecting to
declutter. It is amazing how much we acquire over the years, and those
personal possessions can leave your property feeling overcrowded and
small.
A great
technique to kick-start your declutter is to take photographs of each
room. Try to look at the photographs objectively as if it was a property
you were interested in buying,
|
|
and think how you would hope to see each
room presented. If you struggle to do this, you can also ask an honest
(but tactful) friend or family member to give their thoughts.
Decluttering is an important part of the sale
preparation process. A cluttered property will feel overly personalised,
which will make it difficult for prospective buyers to envisage
themselves and their possessions in the property.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Neglecting the garden |
|
|
 |
|
When selling a
property, any outdoor space should be treated as an
additional room. It is very easy to forget your garden, especially in
the winter months, but outdoor space - especially when presented well - is a desirable asset, and its potential should be maximised in order to
help you secure a house sale.
Make sure your outdoor space
is well tended, then add interest with potted plants and trees that are
easy to maintain and good quality garden furniture. Any outdoor storage
should be well maintained, and patio and decking areas should be
thoroughly cleaned.
|
|
|
|
Not completing outstanding
DIY jobs |
|
|
|
Many homes will have a little
'snag list' of
small DIY jobs waiting to be finished off, but you will be surprised how
many people put their property on the market without addressing that
list. Potential buyers want to see a completed property that has been
well looked after; if they see small DIY jobs that have not been
completed, they will start to wonder whether there are bigger property
maintenance jobs that have been neglected.
|
|
|
|
Not doing enough research when choosing an estate agent |
|
|
 |
|
Choosing an estate agent can feel like a tricky task. Every agent will claim that they are the best agent to get you a quick house sale, so how do you choose the right agent for you?
Your first step should be to see who has sold similar properties in your area recently. This will show you that they are familiar with the area and the sort of buyer your property is likely to appeal to.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Next step is to look for reviews of the estate agencies. What sort of experience have previous customers had with them when both buying and selling?
As far as your potential buyers are concerned, your estate agent is your representative, so if you are looking for a quick and smooth house sale you need to ensure your agent is representing you well and providing a high level of customer service to both you and your buyer.
Once you have shortlisted three or four agents, ask them to come and value your property. Estate agents are notorious for over-valuing properties in order to get them on their books, but if you are looking for a quick house sale, you want to ensure your property is priced realistically from the start. Asking the estate agents what your asking price should be in order to attract a buyer in the first two weeks will ensure you get a realistic figure.
It is important that you choose the agent that you feel will best manage the sale of your property, rather than just the cheapest option. Remember, there is usually room for negotiation when it comes to estate agency fees, especially if they know a competitor has quoted less. You can expect to pay anything between one per cent and three per cent of the final sale price, so agreeing a fee on the lower end of that scale will motivate the agent to get you the best possible price for your property.
|
|
|
|
If you have ensured that you are not making any of these common mistakes, but your property still isn't selling as quickly as you would like it to, you may want to consider a cash home buying company. A
cash home buyer
can purchase your house directly in as little as seven days, or on a date that suits you, offering you a quick and guaranteed house sale. |
|
|
|
|
