Selling Tips

The preparation you put into getting your property ready for sale can be the difference between getting a standard price and a great price. The best part is, it's not hard, time consuming or expensive. Whatever your motive for selling, the process can either be stress free or tense and disappointing. The good news is that you have the ability to choose. There are four factors that will influence the outcome of any sale.

FAQ from Sellers

How much will it cost in Agent's fees to sell my property? Agent fees have been deregulated and therefore you may find some variation between Agents. It is important to remember that you only get what you pay for and therefore careful consideration should be given to what is to be included in the fee, the services offered and the reputation and experience of the Sales Consultant and the Agent. Some of the factors that can influence the rate of commission can include the value of the property, the degree of difficulty of the task, the expectations of the vendor and the level of service they require. The commission is there to provide the agent with a reward for doing their job successfully, or an incentive for excellent performance. The commission is only payable when a sale is negotiated at a figure that is acceptable to you as the vendor. Will I have to pay for the marketing and advertising expenses? This is to be decided upon between you and the Agent. These costs may be included in your Agent's Selling Fees and any "special marketing plans" should be mutually agreed on between yourself and your Sales Consultant. Should I test the market by advertising my property at a higher price than I am expecting? This is not recommended as your property will receive its fullest exposure in the first month of marketing. Potential purchasers may not consider your property if they believe ti to be out of their price range. What are the conveyancing costs? Conveyancing costs relate to the cost of handling all the necessary legal requirements usually handled by a Solicitor or Conveyancer on your behalf, who will charge you a fee for doing so. These fees can vary a great deal depending on who handles it for you and how complex the transaction is. Does it cost to have a market appraisal or some advice on the value of our home? Not at all. We encourage our clients to contact us for a "free market appraisal" at any time, to update themselves on the value of the property. Property valuations are constantly changing from year to year, and especially after enhancing your property's value after renovations. In fact many clients contact us to discuss whether they are over-capitalising with their renovations. Once again, we are happy to provide free advice upon inspecting the property. Any further queries feel free to contact our office anytime on 0885 322000 or call in to receive a FREE Sellers Guide.

Timing

Buyers for a property can be found all year round how ever it's not often that a purchaser for your home is out there, just waiting for you to put your home on the market. Timing, presentation and advertising are all required to bring buyers and sellers together for the best result. Spring is often considered to be the best time to sell. It's a time of optimism and with the weather clearing, more potential buyers will be out and about. It is also a time when more sellers will put their homes on the market so there will be more competition. Winter usually presents fewer buyers, but the buyers are usually more focussed on purchasing and traditionally there will be fewer homes on the market to choose from. Prior to placing your home on the market, allow an additional two weeks to prepare both the property and the marketing material.

Presentation

A tidy home says "Welcome". Your home should be kept neat and tidy during the period of inspections. It should not necessarily be a "show place" but appear a comfortable home in which to live. Fresh flowers or indoor plants always brighten up a home. While you’re cleaning, think about each room and what furniture really needs to be in it. Rooms look smaller when they are crowded. Clear out anything that's not needed to create a feeling of spaciousness. Make sure that all minor repairs are completed. Sticking doors and windows, loose door knobs, faulty plumbing, peeling paint or faulty flywire may affect your sale. Let plenty of light into your home. Nothing improves atmosphere more than brightness. And on a dull day switch on some lights prior to arrival of prospective purchasers. A warm comfortable heated home on cold days adds a feeling of cosiness; on a hot day don't forget to turn on the air conditioner or fan (or simply let the breeze flow through). Avoid having too many people present during inspections. Be courteous but don't force conversation with a potential buyer. The prospective purchaser wants to inspect your home - not pay a social call. As a general rule it is advisable to turn off radio and television sets during inspections as they can be very distracting. Keep your pets out of the way (preferably out of the house). Let the buyer and agent talk, free of disturbances. Don't apologise for the appearance or condition of your home (this does nothing but emphasise the faults). Don't discuss the details of the transaction or allow a prospective purchaser to inspect your home without your agent.

Method of Sale

If you submit your property for Auction this means that prospective purchasers will bid against one another at a date and time suitable to you. You can set a reserve price, which is the minimum you will accept, and once bidding has passed that level you know you have a sale, as it will be unconditional and a predetermined deposit must be paid on the day. Sale by Private Treaty means that you set a price at which your property is to be marketed to the public through the marketing plan agreed to by you and the agent.