Five things to do when preparing to sell your property
The course of selling your home rarely runs smoothly; from dips in the housing market to interruptions far up the chain, much of the process remains outside of our hands.
There are, however, a number of things we can do in order to facilitate a quicker simpler, and more successful transition into a new home.
Read more below about getting ready to sell up and move on.
1. Declutter and create space
Creating a ‘blank canvas’ for prospective buyers is not always as easy as it may seem, but it does have a significant impact on your ability to capture their attention, and encourage them to recognise your property’s full potential.
Focus your efforts on smaller items, rather than your furniture. Streamlining the hallway and bathroom will show visitors just how much space your home has to offer. Similarly, if you have storage space built into your home, paring down the clutter will help those features look bigger.
It can be frustrating to live in a home without your usual comforts around you – particularly if you have young children – but it is much more frustrating to continue living in a home that will not sell.
2. Research recommended estate agents
It is important that you find an estate agent who works on properties similar to yours; take a look at their listings, and how they are presented, and ask yourself whether they are up to the task of doing your property justice.
Set aside plenty of time to check online reviews, look at current listings, and talk to friends and family who have recently gone through a successful house move.
3. Finish those odd jobs
Amid the chaos of moving out and finding somewhere new to live, it can be difficult to invest yet more time and money into a home from which you are ready to move on.
However, completing just a few small tasks in each room can make the world of difference to prospective buyers, and make it easier to sell up quickly.
For example, replacing worn or stained carpets, refreshing the paintwork, clearing the gutters and repairing small cracks in the walls and skirting boards will all change the initial impression that a room makes on visitors.
4. Speak to your mortgage adviser
As you begin the process of selling and moving, it is important to take the time to meet with your mortgage advisor in order to discuss options such as porting your mortgage – in other words, transferring your existing mortgage to a new property – or remortgaging with another lender.
5. Find a solicitor
Solicitors provide invaluable support when property is changing hands. The process of selling your property is infamously slow and laborious, but a solicitor with plenty of experience in this area will help to alleviate much of the stress that plagues homesellers.
To ensure the best possible outcome, find a member of The Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme operating locally to you. If you are living in the Gloucestershire area, for instance, then consider contacting Willans of Cheltenham.
Working with a trusted local solicitor will help to ensure that the transferral of property is handled efficiently, without lengthy email chains or excessive travel time, which will leave you more time for work, packing, and making plans for the move.
Photo credit: mastersenaiper at Pixabay
