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Selling your home can be a daunting task, but with the help of a good estate agent, it can be a smooth and stress-free process. If you’re planning on selling your home, here’s a guide to help you prepare and sell your property.
Find the right estate agent: Look for an estate agent who understands the local market, who markets properties to their full potential, who offers both modern and traditional practices to sell homes. Most importantly chose an agent you feel comfortable with, after all you are likely to be selling your biggest asset.
Prepare your home for sale: Before putting your home on the market, make sure it’s in the best possible condition. This includes cleaning, decluttering, and making any necessary repairs. You may also want to consider staging your home to make it more appealing to potential buyers.
Set the right price: Your estate agent will help you determine the right price for your home based on market trends, comparable sales, and the condition of your property. It’s important to price your home competitively to attract potential buyers. Beware of overly high valuations, this is a tactic used by some agents to gain the instruction of your property. If the valuation seems too good to be true, ask the agent for factual evidence to support the property appraisal.
Create a marketing plan: Your estate agent will develop a marketing plan to help sell your property. This may include professional photography, virtual tours, and targeted online and offline advertising. Many agents charge additional fees for these services, so before you instruct an agent it is important to fully understand how they intend to present and maximise the exposure of your home.
Conduct viewings: Your estate agent should handle all viewings of your property, so you don’t have to worry about scheduling and showing potential buyers around your home. They should also provide feedback in a timely manner from potential buyers to help you make any necessary adjustments. A lack of feedback is a common complaint from historic vendors, so please explore this during the property appraisal process.
Receive and negotiate offers: Your estate agent will present any offers to you and help you negotiate the terms of the sale. It is a legal requirement for estate agents to put all offers (regardless of acceptance) in writing. They will also handle all the paperwork and legal aspects of the sale, ensuring a smooth and stress-free process.
Instruct a good solicitor: Once the sale is agreed upon, you will need to instruct a solicitor that specialises in conveyancing. A third of property sales fall through during this process, so it is recommended that you diligently research highly regarded conveyancing services. Your estate agent may have close partnerships with local firms that can help keep the sale on track.