Tips & Advice On Selling A House

It Is Vital To Present Your House In The Best Light. How To Sell A Property- Tips And Advice

Should You Sell Your House And Getting Your House Market-Ready
Getting The Most From Your Estate Agent
Negotiating An Offer
The Mortgage And Fees
Working With Your Solicitor And Surveys

Thinking of selling your home? Discover everything you need to know about making it stress-free and as inexpensive as possible with our handy tips and advice.

By Sarah Jagger

Should I Sell My Home?

Consider why you are selling. It may be for negative reasons - the loss of a job, or the loss of a partner through death or divorce, or needing to downsize to save cash. Equally, it can be for more positive reasons including a new job in a different area, moving in with a partner, needing a bigger home for a growing family or wanting to be in a catchment area for a good school.

Before you ring an estate agent, pause and think about whether staying put and improving or extending your home could meet your needs. You'll need to compare these costs to those of moving.

If you can, sell your home first before buying. This way you'll be able to move more swiftly when you decide to buy and will therefore be more attractive to estate agents and other sellers.

In an ideal world, you would want to sell in a robust market. However, when the national house news is gloomy, don't assume that your local area reflects the UK picture. Talk to estate agents to get information on how property is selling near you.

Spring is traditionally the best time to market your property. Christmas is the worst.

Get Market Ready. How To Sell A Property- Tips And Advice

Still Moving? Get Your Home Market-Ready

First impressions are important, so check your kerb appeal: tidy the garden front and back, paint window sills and the front door, make sure the house number or name is visible.

Ensure the view through the front windows is appealing too. Rooms inside should be kept tidy (even when you're not expecting a viewing - don't be surprised if people stop and have a good peer into your home to see if it might suit them).

Declutter - consider putting some of your stuff in storage, tidy and clean, neutralise animal smells, get someone to take the kids and pets out during viewings.

Finish Any DIY Projects

Update - consider replacing kitchen cupboard doors and drawer fronts. Out-of-date bathroom suites can also let a property down, but you don't have to spend a fortune: simply installing new taps or new shower screen, and putting out nice fluffy towels can make a difference.

Paint - a lick of paint can transform a room and bring it up to date.

Use the space - a double bedroom has more value than a single, and a single bedroom has more value than a study, so show the rooms off to their best advantage to maximise their appeal.

House full of family photos? Tone it down - the viewers need to imagine themselves living there, not you.

Clean, dust and tidy everywhere, open windows and, yes, put that pot of coffee on.