Selling your home can be a time-consuming task, especially if you have never done it before and are now having to navigate the ongoing pandemic.
With no first-hand experience, it can be difficult to know where to start and very easy to make mistakes that cost you both time and money.
“When you move home you will need to pay estate agent fees such as valuation costs, surveys, selling fees and any arrangement fees,” says Town & Country Mortgage Services. “You’ll also need to pay Solicitor Fees for any disbursements or searches as well as the required Stamp Duty and any removal costs should you need it.”
So, to help make things easier, we have put together a list of six fool-proof ways you can make your home more sellable.
Offer Buyers Reassurance
Your situation as a seller can be an attractive pull for potential buyers who are keen to avoid long chains.
If, for instance, you already have a property lined up or you are considering moving into rented accommodation to help push the sale through, this could reassure the buyer, letting them know you are serious about selling.
In fact, many vendors often seek reassurance from their sellers. By being able to tell them how far along the process you are, this can make a big difference to a property’s selling factor.
Carry Out Easy Upgrades
Nobody wants to buy a house that looks like a mess – no matter how much vision they have for the property.
To make your house as desirable to potential buyers as possible, you will likely need to carry out some upgrades.
But don’t worry, these don’t always have to be expensive – often, a few small changes can make all the difference.
Redecorating is one of the most popular and affordable ways to freshen up your home’s interior. Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh lick of paint and some general maintenance to brighten the place up.
Neutral paint colours always make houses look clean and bright while replacing broken light bulbs and fixing any leaky taps can go the extra mile towards completing a sale.
Consider Updating The Bathroom
29% of homes sold in 2019 had a new bathroom fitted, so it’s worth considering investing in an upgrade.
Bathrooms are often the let-down of properties up for sale – from mouldy grout between the tiles to dripping taps and dirty glass screens.
The last thing prospective buyers want to see is a bathroom that requires a lot of work. So, a full update is the way to go if your bathroom you’re looking to sell your property for a higher value.
Tidy Up The Garden
Due to the 2020 Coronavirus lockdown and restricted outdoor time, gardens are becoming more popular than ever.
Having an attractive, tidy outdoor space that is well-designed can really increase your chance of selling quickly. So, if you have a garden that’s in a bit of a mess, it’s time to get to work.
The garden should feel like an extension of the home – a space where people can entertain and relax in – and are extremely appealing to potential buyers, but only if they don’t require a huge amount of work. Therefore, dedicate some time to trimming back hedges, clearing pathways, and mowing the lawn.
Offer A Unique Selling Point
There are numerous unique selling points that can attract buyers to a property, and one of these is smart home technology.
Homes that are catered towards being more energy efficient are becoming increasingly important to buyers.
So, advertising the presence of fibre optic cables or smart technology could not only add to the sales price but also increase buyer interest.
Unique selling points like these will put you ahead of the competition and attract more buyers than your property would have done otherwise.
Make A Great First Impression
First impressions count. From the moment a prospective buyer walks through the door, they need to be impressed.
Most people know if they want to buy a house within seconds of stepping over the threshold. So, it is essential you spend time cleaning up the entryway, repainting the front door, sweeping the path clean, and just generally making sure everything looks tidy.
When it comes to successfully making a sale, the importance of a clean, tidy home cannot be underestimated.
Final Thoughts…
Regardless of the pandemic, selling your home can be a time-consuming and emotionally draining process. But, with the tips listed above, you can give yourself the best possible chance of success, finding a buyer much more quickly than you might have done otherwise.
