Guide to Selling
You can find useful advice and tips for the home seller at the Office of Fair Trading, www.oft.gov.uk/consumer and download a quick guide to buying or selling your home in pdf format.
The Consumer Association (WHICH?) website is also very informative and you can download a Home Movers Pack: http://www.which.net/moveit/takecontrol/selling/index.html
Preparing your property for sale
First impressions are important so make sure the entrance and front garden area are tidy. If the front of the property is looking neglected it may leave the potential buyer with the idea that it has not been well maintained. Try to leave the drive clear. Clear all clutter from inside and outside to give an impression of more space. Make the beds and put all clothes away in wardrobes.
Minor decorating work may improve appearances but do so in plenty of time before viewings as paint smells may arouse suspicions. Keep to neutral colours when decorating. Some T.V. property programmes recommend fresh flowers and the smell of baking bread and fresh coffee to make your property more appealing. Make sure the rooms are warm in the winter and aired in the summer. Keep any dark areas well lit.
Valuing your property
As the owner you are probably well aware of what similar properies in your area are selling for. If not you can search the property pages of local newspapers or try estate agents' windows. There are also a number of sites on the internet which can help. Try www.nethouseprices.com What is the lowest price you would accept and what price would you like to achieve? Try a price between the two, allowing a margin for negotiating. If you get no offers you may be over-pricing your property. If overwhelmed with offers you may have set a bargain price.
Many estate agents offer a free no-strings-attached valuation service. Take up their offer and get 3 valuations to check that your asking price is consistent with market prices.
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Conducting viewings
Even with properties listed with conventional estate agents, it is mostly the homeowner who conducts the viewings. Potential buyers generally prefer to deal directly with the seller, as it makes negotiations easier for both parties and should speed up the whole process.
You will receive the buyers' contact details from ourselves, if they have come through our website. If they have found you from another source make sure to record their contact details. For security, have someone with you when you conduct viewings and always make appointments, no cold callers!
Put yourself in the viewers' position and prepare for possible questions e.g. "Why are you selling?", "How are the neighbours?" etc. Try to answer all questions truthfully and in a friendly manner.
Take them on a tour of the property, remarking on the good points, views, space, decor but don't appear too eager. Point out items included in the sale, e.g. curtailns, carpets etc, and other items which may be for sale seperately.
If they are interested they may want to look around on their own, to have a second look and discuss things alone. Before they leave you can ask them if they are in a property chain, if their house is sold or if they have accepted an offer on their own property and when they are looking to move. These are factors you need to know when considering offers. Interested parties may make 2 or 3 visits before making an offer.
Negotiate a price
Take your time to think over any offer. If you have several offers of the same value then you should consider the position of the party making the offer. Are they cash buyers? Have they sold their property already? Are they first time buyers or buyers with no chain? Most offers are below the asking price and the buyer may be trying his luck or testing your resolve.
Consider your own position, the state of the market, other possible buyers and the seriousness of the offer before rejecting completely any offers. You do not have to reply to an offer immediately, unless you are very happy with it. Think things over. This may tempt the buyer to improve his offer before you reply.
Accepting an offer
Exchange solicitor contact details with the buyer. Tell your solicitor that you have agreed a sale price and give him details of the buyer and his solicitor.