There is no doubt that we are in a time of uncertainty and there’s a lot of concern about what the future may bring. A September survey by Property Rescue, conducted by Perspectus Global, revealed that of 1,000 UK-based homeowners questioned 65% are worried and anxious about rising inflation and interest rates. Therefore, if you’re planning to sell your home this year, you want to ensure it sells quickly and doesn’t sit languishing on the market for months on end. With this in mind, our team at Maurice Kilbride have put together some tips to help increase the selling power of your home.
Talk to a broker
Forecasts suggest that it is likely that interest rates could rise significantly over the next 18 months, therefore having a mortgage in principle, especially with a fixed rate, seems the best option. But make sure you shop around; we highly recommend that you speak with an independent mortgage broker. We know we keep saying it, but they have the ability to look at deals that you may not have access to, some of which could be available for just a couple of hours.
In the words of Martin Lewis: “Mortgage brokers are worth their weight in gold now. Get yourself a mortgage broker.”
Quality marketing
One way to grab a buyer’s attention is through the imagery used for your property’s marketing campaign. Nothing entices us more than a striking image. Therefore, you need to make sure that the estate agent you choose will do your home justice. You want to try to get photographs taken whilst the weather isn’t as grey and miserable can winter bring, so you can maximise on natural light or at worst as we head into the winter, employs a professional photographer, or uses a studio to enhance the images. Some of the photos we see online are shocking!
You need a skilled negotiator
It is important to do your research, so you understand the property market; house price indexes are a good place to start but look at overall trends. When speaking to an estate agent you want to see what their strategy is to achieve you the highest possible price. What you are looking for is an experienced negotiator, with detailed knowledge of the local market, that won’t settle for the first offer but sees it as the starting point. It needs to be priced right from the start – priced too high and your home may become stagnant as it won’t attract potential buyers.
Help reduce delays
Delays are one of the curses in home moves, they increase nerves and tension, and with delays doubts can start to take hold. This is why the sales process is the hardest part of selling your home: it is the time where homes complete, and others fall through. Having a strong and experienced estate agent who is always on top of your sale, proactively monitoring the situation and resolving issues before and as they arise, is an absolute must.
You can also play your part by creating a pack for your buyer that includes all the documents, certificates and permissions relating to your home, such as electrical certificates, your boiler service record, any planning permissions, and signoffs from building regulations as well as documents related to rights of way etc. Not only will this help speed up the process but will also show your buyer your commitment and transparency with the sale of your home.
Energy efficiency
Having an energy efficient property has become a huge advantage, especially with the cost-of-living crisis. Are there any measures you can take in your home? Improving insulation, double glazing, servicing your log burner and boiler – any positive changes can all make your home more appealing. Smart technology systems are proving very popular with buyers right now.
Don’t leave anything unfinished
We all have unfinished projects around our homes; often because they are things we are used to seeing, we don’t notice them anymore. Rest assured that potential buyers with their sharp eyes will notice every little detail. Therefore, go around your home with a fine-tooth comb; even better, get a friend who is not as familiar with your home to do the same. Get any imperfections fixed; that way buyers cannot use any little unfinished projects as an excuse for not buying your property or as a reason to negotiate the agreed sale price down before exchange of contracts. Make your home as appealing as you can as more properties come available for buyers to choose from.
Increase the selling power
Selling a home in Cheadle could be more challenging in the months ahead as buyers and sellers alike navigate the cost of living crisis and changing interest rates, which is why it is essential to do what you can to increase the selling power of your property.
For more advice, call our Joe, Patrick or Maurice on 0161 428 3663, e-mail sales@mkiea.co.uk or pop into our office on Cheadle High Street for an informal chat. Alternatively, you can book a FREE market appraisal online following this link Book a FREE valuation
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