Thinking of selling your home? Discover the everything you need to know about making it stress-free and as inexpensive as possible with our handy tips and advice.
By Sarah Jagger
4Homes Essentials
Property Search
UK Region Ratings
Consider why you are selling? Negative reasons usually stem from financial needs- the loss of a job, or the loss of a partner through death or divorce, or needing to downsize to save cash. Positive reasons include a new job in a different area, moving in with a partner, you need a bigger home for a growing family or want to be in a catchment area for a good school.
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.
Try to sell your home when the market is robust. Talk to estate agents to find out what the trend for house prices is in your area. The more established fashionable areas should retain their values in a downturn far better than up-and-coming areas .
Spring is traditionally the best time to market your property. Christmas is the worst.
Why not stay put and add value-boosting improvements or extend your home to suit your needs. Compare these figures to the costs of moving and you may find you’re better staying put.
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 Out-of-date bathroom suites can also let a property down, but you don't have to spend a fortune: simply installing new taps or new shower screen, and putting out nice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Paint - a lick of paint can transform a room and banish outdated décor.
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 use 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.
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