When is the best time to market my property?
We can find a buyer for your home at any time of the year, and there is no part of the year better than any other for selling. The areas we cover do not show any major seasonal variations, and our sales have shown to be spread evenly over the year, perhaps with a slight increase in Spring.
People are always moving, getting married, getting divorced, changing new jobs or circumstances. There are hundreds of reasons people move, and we are well positioned to sell your property at any time.
That said, some houses will sell easier at different times of the year. For example a rural home with far reaching views will always be more appealing on a lovely Spring or Summers day than in the middle of a bleak winter! However an urban flat in a city really doesn’t matter when it’s marketed.
How long will it take to sell my property?
On average we sell our properties within a 6-12 week period making us one of the fastest selling agents in our area. Bear in mind that this this does vary from house to house. If you have a particular timeframe in mind, for example 2 weeks or 10 weeks because of another property or job commitment we will always do our best to pull out the stops to ensure it’s sold in your required timeframe. We are always needing more properties, and homes of any type to sell, as we have a waiting list of actively searching buyer.
How should I prepare my property for sale?
Preparing your home for sale is one of the things we can advise on, and below we illustrate some of the key things that have worked well for us in the past.
Outside
First impressions are very important. Stand at the front of your property and view it with a fresh eye. If you have a front garden or driveway, make sure the grass is cut, any rubbish or bins are removed, borders are weed free, shrubs are trimmed, and the porch is cobweb free. If the drive is not large consider parking your car elsewhere to give more of an impression of space. If it’s spring or summer and you have no flowers planted, it may be worth buying and planting a few to provide a splash of colour.
Interior
If you are moving, it would rarely make sense to spend much money on improving your property just to sell. Better to save it for your new home. It would however be sensible to carry out any small repairs that may be required, to give the impression that the property has been well maintained. If any rooms need decorating, choose a light and neutral colour, which would appeal to a wider range of purchasers. If you are a dog owner, remember that not everyone is a pet lover, so have someone take Offenbark for a walk during viewings.
Viewings
Make sure your property is warm and well lit when you are expecting viewers, as this will make it feel more homely. If carrying out the viewing yourself, take your time, don’t rush the process, and remember that there is no need to talk all the time. Give them time to think and get the feel of the place, and imagine the property as their own. For most purchasers the property has to feel right, as well as meet their preconceived specifications.
Ensure your property spotlessly clean
Clean, clean, clean – we know it’s obvious but it really works. Make sure the kitchens, bathrooms and every visible part of the house is absolutely spotless. Potential buyers like to envisage themselves in your house, and ensuring there is no dust, dirt or stains around will help get a best offer. If you’ve already moved out or if you’re too busy to stay on top of things, consider hiring a cleaning service to stop by every couple of weeks. Ensure that the toilet doors are closed, and the shower screen is 100% free of limescale!
Clear out the clutter and personal possessions
You want buyers to focus on how awesome your property is, not how messy it looks. Get rid of the shoes, old tables and second hand furniture and tidy up each room to leave a clean, sparkling free and open space for visitors to imaging living in. Any of your personal possessions that you can do without for the time of marketing, should be put away leaving bare, straight, uninterrupted surfaces that provide the feeling of space. Particularly ornaments, souvenirs, and family photos. Although personal to you, they are not to the viewer, and clear shelves and space can improve the overall feel of the rooms.
