Put your house in order
Make sure that any outstanding building warrants or other local authority issues are dealt with before you put the property on the market. These matters can be stressful if you have the pressure of a looming moving date.
De-clutter
Anything you can do to de-clutter your house is likely to improve its appeal to prospective purchasers. For most of us a trip to the recycling centre is an uplifting experience anyway!
Repairs and renewals
Making sure that your house looks is well looked-after as possible is a very good idea. It’s amazing how often prospective purchasers will be put off by the smallest thing that is not right.
Sort out the garden
Many prospective purchasers won’t even venture as far as your beautiful, newly de-cluttered house if the garden is lacking TLC. If things have got seriously out of hand then it may be worthwhile considering getting a professional garden contractor in to do the hard work.
Extensions and improvements
If you have consents to extend/improve your property then discuss with us whether you should carry out the work or hand the consents over to your buyer. Remember that what may be to your taste and liking may not be to theirs.
Set a budget
You’ll have some ‘up-front’ expense for example the cost of obtaining a Home Report. While some costs such as estate agency commission will only be payable at completion of a sale it is a good idea to fix a budget as early as possible. We are always happy to discuss costs with sellers at the outset and on a no-obligation basis.
Title deeds
If you have your titles then it’s helpful for our conveyancing solicitors to have access to them as early as possible. This can help them identify potential problems and, where possible, resolve matters before you are under any sale pressure. If your titles are held by other solicitors or by a lender it will help to have contact details.
Be available
Once your house is on the market prospective purchasers will expect to be able to view at reasonably short notice. We will always try and fix viewings for a mutually convenient time but if you are going to be away for any length of time e.g on holiday then please make arrangements with a friend or relative to accompany viewers or ask us to arrange accompanied viewings. When you are away please leave us contact details so we can get in touch about any significant developments e.g an offer being submitted.
Viewing typically lasts up to 15 minutes. Providing the right image is vital. Untidy rooms, dirty dishes, unhoovered carpets all provide distractions that stop buyers noting down the important things e.g. size of rooms, where their furniture will fit, size of garden etc.
Get it right and you will soon be on the move.
Contact us today to speak to one of our expert proeprty team.
