Selling Property

If you are selling a property and the purchase of your next home is dependent on selling, it is strongly advisable to sell your home before you get down to serious house-hunting. If not, you could end up frustrated and disappointed, as well as with noticeably less money in your bank account.

Your Estate Agent will take care of all aspects of the property sale for you. A good estate agent will:

Arrange a property valuation

Advertise the property for sale - both online and in traditional media

Court potential buyers

Arrange and conduct property viewings

Negotiate with potential buyers on your behalf

Help to maximise the property sale price

An estate agent will ensure you avoid mistakes when selling your home, which could otherwise be very expensive. The estate agent will also charge a commission of up to 4% of the sale price, although this figure is normally around 2%.

Make Improvements to maximize your potential value.

First find out the maximum potential value of your property. It's pointless spending 20,000 on improving a property if it will only add 10,000 to the sale price. Look at local property papers and visit estate agents to find out the asking price for similar properties on the same street.

The best time for selling is spring and autumn; the market slows down during late summer and over Christmas and New Year.

Finish off any DIY jobs

A well-kept garden, pathway and fence are immediately appealing.

Check your roof and guttering, replace broken tiles and repair the lead flashing. It's worth casting an eye over the drains too. A drain cleared before a blockage occurs is easier on the nose and the wallet!

A lick of paint will keep a property looking good and keep deterioration at bay. A newly-painted front door always creates a good impression. When selling, a surveyor will be able to spot if attempts at 'sprucing up' your property are simply quick fixes - he'll be much more impressed by ongoing maintenance.

Cut the lawn.

Paint walls a pale, plain shade this will. Research shows that most buyers prefer natural, earthy colours to bright, bold shades. Although there's a wide range of paint colours available, magnolia is still the top-selling colour.

De-personalise your rooms by removing personal items.

Remove clutter.

Plant pots can provide colour in your garden.

Flowers and a bowl of fruit will brighten up a room and provide a pleasant smell.

Revitalise a bathroom with a green leafy plant and new taps, shower curtain and light pull.

Coloured bathroom suites are out and old-fashioned white is back in vogue.

Restoring fireplaces and period features, such as ceiling roses and cornices, can add thousands of pounds to a property

Avoid strong food odours - don't cook food such as fish or curry before a viewing as the smell will linger. The smell of freshly-baked bread or fresh coffee though is said to provide a welcoming feel to a home.

Ask friends or family to look after any pets during viewings.

Try and make viewers feel comfortable. Offer them a coffee and ask them if they need any further information about bills or local amenities.