Getting an Estate Agent and Solicitor to Help Sell Your Home

If you are looking to sell your home then there are two key players who will help with the marketing and legal process:

·         An estate agent

·         A solicitor

Because these people play such an important part in the home sale process it is really crucial that you choose wisely and ensure that the terms of any agreement are going to work for you.

Choosing an Estate Agent

To start choosing an estate agent it is always a good idea to invite a few representatives of property marketing companies to come and value your home. This not only gives you an idea of the value of their property but presents you with a valuable opportunity to see how the different options operate.

While valuations on your property may vary, you should not simple opt for the agent who seems to promise the highest price – if others are valuing way under this should be an indication that the high valuation could be a ploy to land your business.

There are other factors that you should take into consideration before signing on with an agency to sell your home. Things you should look at before committing to a contract include:

·         Recommendations: Have friends, family or neighbours used the agent to sell successfully? Were they happy with the service?

·         Terms: What does the contract commit you too? How high is the commission? Can you opt out if you feel they are not fulfilling their obligation? Most agents will ask to market the property exclusively – try and keep this period as short as possible to leave your options open and provide the estate agent with the impetus to shift your home in a short time.

·         Exposure: Make sure you check out the agent’s advertising arrangements. Where will your home feature – in print? Online? On the high street? You want your home for sale to be as visible as possible.

Selecting a Solicitor for Your Home Sale

When your home is on the market you will need to ensure you have the structure in place to see through the sale. So selecting a solicitor is important. Make sure you have the right one lined up from when you receive that all important offer.

Things to consider when choosing a solicitor to help with your home sale include:

·         Are they recognised for conveyancing purposes by your mortgage provider? Some big lenders have cut the number of legal representative they will deal with down, so do check before you commit.

·         Do they specialise? Choosing a legal representative who focuses on property law can help the process run smoothly.

·         Are they responsive? There is nothing more frustrating when trying to seal a home sale than a solicitor who does not return your calls. If you find it hard to contact them then you might choose to steer clear.

How Clean is YOUR House? Spotless Properties Sell!

If you Google “biggest buyer turnoffs” then one thing crops up over and over again – no one wants to buy a dirty home.

From grimy bathrooms to dusty cupboards to crumby kitchens, homebuyers have seen it all – and then walked away.

So if you are serious about achieving that elusive asking price offer on your property for sale then it’s time to get scrubbing.

Buyers Check Cleanliness of Homes for Sale

Cleaning a house for sale is a little different from your daily maintenance routine – your family may not mind if a cobweb or two gathers in that rarely opened cupboard – but a buyer is likely to check it out and see it as a sign of neglect.

If you are about to start showing your home or are planning an open house event, then you need to really address every area – even those that usually go unseen.

If you struggle to find the time, then you may wish to consider employing the services of a professional cleaning company, but once it has been done, ensure that the level of cleanliness is maintained until you are under offer.

Cleaning Tips for Selling Your House

Some important things to consider before the arrival of each potential buyer include:

Kitchen: Wipe all surfaces, worktops, cupboards, oven, whitegoods. Viewers need to be comfortable with the idea of cooking and eating in this space so it really needs to shine.

Bathroom: This is one of the worst culprits when it comes to cleanliness – keep a set of fluffy new clean towels to hang out for viewings, ensure the suite is spotless, clean limescale off taps, hair out of plugholes and make sure you wash the floor. Don’t forget to check mirrors as toothpaste and shaving spatters give a really poor impression.

Storage Space: While it may have been your hiding space for homeless clutter throughout your time in the home, that cupboard needs to be de-cluttered and cleaned. Believe us, people won’t hesitate to look in your “private” spaces if they are thinking about buying your property

Any Odours: Pet smells, smoke and lingering cooking odours all give the impression of an unkempt home. Air the house thouroughly before inviting in buyers for viewings or open house events. If anyone in the property smokes, encourage them to do so outside until you are under offer. Use gentle room scenting such as perfumed candles or plug in fresheners – but avoid overpowering floral scents as these give the impression that you have something to hide.

Outdoor Areas: Gardens count, especially when it comes to kerb appeal. There is no point in having a squeaky clean home if the outside space is in disarray – by the time the buyer reaches the front door the impression of mess will already have been made. Tidy up paths, lawn and flower beds and throw out garden furniture that has passed its best.

7 Top Tips to Freshen Your Home for Sale

 

Are you selling your home? Then the likelihood is that you are looking for another property yourself, which means that really, you have the inside track on what makes a property appealing.

If you ask yourself what the biggest turn offs are when looking at property for sale, then dingy or grubby looking homes probably top the list – so how would your property fare in the eyes of others?

Home Sellers Need an Objective Eye

The truth is that often we are unable to get an objective view of our own properties, because we are so used to seeing them – but the time has come to whip off the rose tinted glasses and really see what you are trying to sell. How does the property for sale really look? Could be better right? Well here are a few low cost hints on how to freshen up fast for the property marketing process.

Low Cost Ways to Prepare for Property Marketing

Consider making these changes before arranged viewings or open house events and you could be a step closer to putting up that sale agreed sign.

1.   Clean: No one wants to buy a dirty house – a deep clean is required before you start showing. Address all the areas that don’t get done on a daily basis. Don’t forget that clean windows are hugely important – both from the outside and the inside. 

2.   Paint: A coat of neutral paint can make a huge difference to the way people see a space. Consider a generic magnolia if the budget is tight – but don’t go white unless you are a deisgn guru – not only does it mark too easily but done wrong it can make spaces feel cold or institutional. 

3.   Re-grout: Is tiling too expensive? Then freshen up kitchens and bathrooms by regrouting. This inexpensive upgrade can make a huge difference to the overall look and give a fresh impression in these important areas. 

4.   Update Fittings: Can’t afford a new kitchen or bathroom suite? Consider updating at a lower cost with new fittings. Classic taps can change the whole look of an older bath or basin and new door handles in the kitchen can bring tired cabinets more up to date. 

5.   Lighten Up: Make sure all of your light fittings have working bulbs that suit the space. Buy bright enough bulbs to illuminate spaces and check out the range of soft lights now available in stores to create a comforting feel in bedrooms or lounges.  

6.   Strip Down: Light is best when trying to create a fresh feel, so exchange heavy window dressings for lighter ones, especially in the summer months. If curtains are encroaching on space, consider installing blinds. 

7.   Think Fresh: Supermarkets do it, they welcome you in with a produce aisle creating a feeling of freshness, and you can do the same in your home. Place fresh cut flowers in a vase near the entrance and keep bowls of fruit and salad vegetables on display in the kitchen to reinforce the fresh feel for those viewing your home for sale.

Want to Sell Your House? Move Out Mentally!

If you have placed your home in the hands of an estate agent, then the likelihood is you are eagerly anticipating an offer.

But are you really giving off the right signals to potential buyers? When you place a property for sale it is important that your home creates the right impression – you will need to declutter and depersonalise in order to create a black canvas to appeal to all buyers.

Ideally the process of moving out should begin before you even engage the services of an estate agent – as the preparation of property marketing materials will involve photography and the images taken at this point will be used to represent your home to house hunters.

Preparing for Property Marketing

Successful sellers often take the decision to “pre-pack” in advance of the property marketing processing, placing items in storage in advance of their actual move. Consider packing away all non-essential items, cutting down on furniture and clutter, and removing pictures and overly personal items.

If your home is decorated to suit a strong personal taste, then it is a good idea to update the interior using neutral colours – which will allow viewers to superimpose their own preferences on the spaces presented.

Consultants Can Help Sell Your Home

If you find the task daunting – or feel like you are too emotionally attached to your home to be able to make the best judgements, then you may wish to engage the services of a property marketing consultant or home stager who will be able to offer advice on the best way to create a broad appeal.

Selling Your Home? Consider Your Target Market

Placing a property for sale is a big decision and can be an emotional one as well. However, to achieve a quick sale at an agreeable price it helps to take a step back and revaluate the way the way you present your property - ensuring the home for sale is a prospect that will appeal to your target market.

The first step in attracting serious buyers is assessing who the property is likely to appeal to. If you are selling a large detached house you might target the family market, while smaller properties such as flats and apartments might better suit the carefree young professional.

Once you know the target market, you should ensure the potential of the property is maximised to cater towards their lifestyle preferences – without alienating others.

Creating Appeal for Residential Sales

The best way to create a backdrop of broad-based appeal is to neutralise the decor and depersonalise the space – choosing light natural colours for walls and removing objects and ornaments that may not be to a buyer's taste.

Sellers can look at the way spaces are purposed – ensuring the uses the layout suggests are in keeping with the expectations of potential purchasers. For example, family homes benefit from additional bedrooms while those targeted at professionals might see the same space better suited to use as a study or office. Choose furniture that illustrates how rooms can function without overpowering the available space.

Follow Agent Advice on Your Property for Sale

Do consider the buying habits of your target market, so that you can strategise your home sale to better suit their style. Talk to your agent about the best time to attract interest, and the property marketing options for your home, for example:

• Is your target market more likely to respond to an advertised price of “offers in the region” of or “offers over”?
• Should you consider scheduled viewings only or would organising an open house event arouse more interest?
• If the property is empty does it need staging to help bring out its best for the buyers?

Remember, knowing the target market can help focus a home sale and following professional advice increases the chances of selling success.

Property prices up 5% in March

UK house prices increased by £3,687 to £236,939 in March, a 4.9 per cent increase compared with the 2011 first quarter. The figures, from Rightmove’s house price index, represent the largest first-quarter rise in property prices since 2004, boosting hopes for an continued improvement in the market for the rest of the year.

In London, where interest from overseas buyers has soared, house prices increased by 7.3 per cent compared with the first quarter of 2011, to £455,159. The average asking price in Kensington and Chelsea exceeded £2 million for the first time.

 Rightmove director, Miles Shipside, spoke out against the end of the stamp duty holiday on properties valued between £125,000 and £250,000. The 1% stamp duty on houses in this price range will be imposed again from 24 March. Mr Shipside said: “For a first time buyer it’s already hard enough to raise the necessary deposit and now, as well as potentially losing between £1,250 and £2,500 in stamp duty exemption, asking prices for their target property types have increased by over £5,000 in the last year as well.”

 A recent report by the Building Societies Association suggested that consumer optimism in the housing market is returning. Four out of 10 people surveyed in the 2012 first quarter said they expected house prices to rise during the year, according to the BSA’s Property Tracker study. Optimism is greatest in south east England, where 53 per cent expect property prices to rise.

In contrast, just 30 per cent of those surveyed in Wales, said they expected an increase. Although there was a general mood of optimism, 56 per cent were pessimistic about employment, and said that job insecurity was a barrier to the property market recovering.

Stamp duty was also seen as a barrier to recovery, with 12 per cent of those surveyed saying that stamp duty was a problem, compared with 10 per cent in the final quarter of 2011. Property prices up 5% in March

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