Collaborative Post¦ Getting ready to sell your house can seem like an overwhelming task so you may not know where to start. Here is a handy checklist of things to consider when you are getting ready to list your property on the market.
Find an Estate Agent
Finding the right estate agent should be one of the first things you do when selling your property. There are many different options available nowadays when it comes to agents and you should look for the one that works best for you.
Online estate agents have become more popular in recent years, offering a flexible service and competitive rates. Or, you may prefer to go with a local, in-person agent, who can offer a more personal touch and local knowledge. For instance, establishing contact with Finlay Brewer – Leading Estate Agents in Hammersmith and Fulham, or a similarly reputable agency in your area is a reliable way to connect with experienced estate agents to get the ball rolling. Consider the different options, see how long it typically takes each agent to sell houses and if they get close to the asking price, then determine which would be the best fit for you.
There is always the option of selling your property without using an estate agent. This approach has the benefit of saving you a considerable amount of money in fees. However, this route requires a lot more work on your end, leaving everything from listings to viewings in your hands.
Decide on an Asking Price
Deciding how much you are willing to sell your property for is another important consideration. There is always a balance to be found here between what you would ideally like to sell for, a competitive price that will help your house move quickly, and what your property is worth in the current market.
Start by getting a few valuation estimates to get an idea for how much your property is worth. It is important to get more than one estimate in order to ensure you are getting an accurate picture of how much your property is likely to sell for. Different agents might value your house differently, so get as many opinions as you can.
Once you have an idea of what your house is worth, decide on an asking price. Consider if you are looking to move quickly or whether you are happy to wait for the right offer and set your price accordingly. More competitively priced houses tend to sell more quickly, but you may miss out on potential earnings if you price too low. It is also worth having a figure in mind that is the minimum you would accept, in the event your property is not selling and you decide to drop the asking price.
Ensure Everything is Up to Date and Up to Scratch
Before listing your house, make sure to make any repairs or improvements that may need to be made in order to add the most value possible to your home. It goes without saying that any structural issues or large problems should be repaired, however, don’t overlook the small things. Tighten up door handles, replace dodgy light fittings, and secure wobbly bannisters – the small stuff adds up!
Consider if you want to make any improvements to the house before you list. Improvements have the potential to add value and fetch you a better price on the market, with kitchen and bathroom updates typically representing the best return on your investment. If you’re a bit apprehensive about expensive refurbs like that, consider improving the curb appeal of your property to impress prospective buyers. Consider tidying up the front garden, improving the edging on your lawn and replanting any shrubbery which is looking a bit sad. You could even invest a little bit into products from a company such as Azpects to improve the setting and joins of your paving slabs. This be done in both front and back gardens, products like these aim to improve their stability and keep them looking well organised for years to come. This can save the new owners a job and improves the appearance of the front of the house, which can allow you to add a little more onto the price in return for the convenience of having the place tidy.
Another thing to consider is ensuring all of your safety and regulatory checks are up to date. Consider getting a gas safety certificate and an electrical safety certificate. These will show that the appliances in your home are safe and up to scratch, which may help to sway potential buyers when looking at your house.
Tidy, Tidy, Tidy!
Prepare for viewings of your house by ensuring that your house is as tidy as it can possibly be. When people are looking around, they are much more likely to be drawn to a clean and tidy house than a dirty and cluttered one. Spend the time not only giving everything a surface-level clean, but really focus on the details – get rid of the scuffs on the doors, wipe down dirty skirting boards and dust off the cobwebs in the corners. To give the house a bit of an extra sparkle, you can even call a professional company that can get started on cleaning your pavers, for you, guaranteeing an appealing exterior for potential viewers. The cleaner and tidier, the better.
As well as cleaning your house, make sure to also freshen up how the space smells. Given that you live there, it may be hard for you to recognise if there is an odour in your home. Enlist the help of a third party to come over and tell you if there is a lingering smell. Regardless, making your house smell fresh and clean will only add to the good impression it makes on potential buyers.
Declutter
There is only so far tidying up your things can go and it may be best to actually remove a few bits from your house while you are in the viewing phase. The fewer things you have in your home, the bigger and more open the space will look, making it far more appealing to buyers. Consider renting a storage unit for a short time and storing some of your things there.
One of the most important things when selling your property is having potential buyers picture your house as their home. Therefore, it is a good idea to remove as many personal, family touches as possible. This may be an uncomfortable thought but it will help in selling your house. You are not trying to sell someone your home, you are trying to sell them your house that they can then turn into their own home. By ensuring the space is a blank canvas, it helps buyers to picture themselves in the house.
Think About Kerb Appeal
An often overlooked aspect of selling your house is how it looks from the outside. Buyers are much more likely to be drawn to a well-presented, well-maintained property, than they are one that looks scruffy and in disrepair.
Tidy up the front of your house by making sure your driveway and any pathways are clean and weed free. If you have a front garden, ensure the lawn and shrubs are neat and trimmed. Consider adding some greenery to the front of your house if you don’t have any – a couple of hanging baskets can go a long way. If you have a fence and gate, ensure these are in good repair and perhaps give them a new coat of paint to brighten everything up.
The same goes for your front door and garage door. If you need a new one and are in Mt Waverly, you can get beautiful garage doors and cool accessories to go with them. A couple of small tweaks to the outside of your house can completely change how it is presented and give a great first impression to potential buyers.
Hopefully, this checklist has given you some things to consider when preparing to put your house on the market. Remember, the more preparation you do beforehand, the less stressful the whole process will be. Start early, stay calm, and good luck!
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.