Selling a home can be stressful, but by following a few easy rules at the start of the process, vendors can save themselves time, money, and heartache.
A little bit of pre-sale prep will help you avoid the two most common home-selling horror themes.
Scenario one: The process is painfully slow and drags on for months (or sometimes years) leaving the vendors living in limbo and tearing their hair out because they can’t seal a deal.
Scenario two: The vendor falls in love with another property but can’t shift their own quickly enough to keep the chain moving. As a result, they lose their dream home – and blow thousands of pounds in surveys and legal fees along the way.
Here is a five-step plan to help you prepare for putting your home on the market.
1 Manage your expectations
It’s human nature to place a high value on something to which we have a strong emotional attachment. But you need to step into the shoes of a potential buyer. They will view several properties in Chelmsford as part of their search. How will yours stack up? Be realistic with your asking price; over-valuing a home is a sure-fire recipe for a drawn-out sale. We have detailed market data and can provide expert advice.
2 Research agents and don’t be led by price
You get what you pay for. Someone who promises you the earth for next to nothing is most likely stringing you along. If they suggest a ridiculously OTT asking price, ask yourself why? Do they possess magical selling powers? (Hint: the answer is no). Or do they want to lure you in with a big promise, tie you into a long contract, and then drop the asking price like a hot potato?
3 Phone a friend
Ask a straight-talking buddy for a brutally honest appraisal of your home. Don’t be offended if you don’t like what you hear. If they tell you the front room stinks of cat, it probably does – so do something about it. If they confess that the life-sized portrait of Grandma on the wall creeps them out, take it down. Dress your home to appeal to a range of buyers, not your personal taste.
4 Declutter
Following on from the previous point, review the furniture and décor in each room and decide what needs to go (if you want to keep it, put it into storage). Remove personal photos and objects, and bulky furniture which can make a room look smaller.
5 General repairs and maintenance
Sort out minor DIY issues such as broken door handles or mould in the bathrooms and give tired rooms a fresh lick of paint. Trim shrubs and smarten up the garden. Don’t bother with costly renovations that won’t add value.
BONUS TIP
Many people search for their next home before they put their own on the market and wind up facing Scenario Two (as discussed above). When you find your dream home, you need to move immediately and know exactly how much you can offer. We recommend you put your home on the market first, so you’re pumped and primed to make your next move.
If you’re thinking about selling your home, talk to us at Martin & Co. We can help make your next move happen.
