Beat the spring rush - follow our six tips for sales success
Spring is traditionally seen as the ideal time to put a
house up for sale. It’s true that there are many benefits to marketing a house
in April or May – the days are longer and sunnier, gardens look green and
enticing, and there’s a sense of possibility in the air.
However, as with any received wisdom, dig a little deeper
and the truth isn’t quite so simple. Figures from property portals such as
Rightmove and Zoopla reveal that sites are flooded with searches from
prospective buyers in the earlier part of the year, with January and February
being particularly active times. If your house isn’t appearing in those
searches, you may have missed an opportunity for a quick sale.
‘But what about Brexit?’ you may ask. We’re encouraging our
clients not to sit on the fence waiting for the outcome of a process that may
yet be delayed for months or even years. Buyers and sellers are telling us
they’re fed up with Brexit uncertainty, and just want to get on with life. By
adopting a proactive approach, these homeowners may well find themselves in a
stronger position once negotiations with the EU are finally settled.
So the message is clear: now is a great time to act if you’re
considering moving this year. But what should you be doing to get your house ready
for viewing this month? Follow our six tips and you’ll have a good chance of sales
success before the first tulips have even begun to bloom!
1.
Clean
windows inside and out. Windows can take a battering from rain, wind, frost
and snow during the winter months. Smeary, dull windows are an instant turn-off
– give them a thorough clean and you’ll be amazed how much brighter and
spacious each room looks.
2.
De-clutter
every room. It may seem like a daunting task, especially if you’ve lived in
your home for many years. So take it one room at a time, doing your best to
clear surfaces and floor space and being as ruthless as you can. Items that you
don’t want to throw away or recycle can be packed into boxes and stored in a
garage or shed. Think of this process as a head start on the packing ready for when
you actually move.
3.
Refresh
your carpets and upholstery. Whether you hire a professional cleaning
company or book a carpet cleaning machine for DIY use, pristine carpets and
sofas will help to give your property a show home feel for a relatively modest
cost.
4.
Guarantee
a warm welcome. It’s likely to be cold outside when prospective buyers view
your house at this time of year. Naturally you want them to feel comfortable
the minute they step through your front door, so wherever possible turn on the
heating and keep it cosy (but not too warm) as they tour each room. If you have
an open fire or wood-burning stove, get the chimney swept and ensure the fire
draws well. Log fires can offer an instant welcome, and are increasingly
popular in today’s market.
5.
Invest in
botanical styling. A house plant or two on your newly-decluttered surfaces
will add texture and breathe life into a room. Unlike fresh flowers, which
you’ll have to replace after a few days, house plants can last indefinitely
(depending on your horticultural skill!). Indoor plants are massively on trend
too, and will look great in the photos we’ll take for our brochure and online
marketing portals. If space is at a premium, don’t forget you can also hang
plants from the ceiling. And if you’re really not the green-fingered type, faux
plants are a great alternative, with a huge range now available.
6.
Check essential
paperwork. It’s not unusual for our clients to receive offers within days
of their house going on the market. When a transaction starts to move quickly,
you need to be ready to answer the detailed questions that are sure to arise.
For example, when was your boiler last serviced? Do you have building
regulations sign-off for any extensions or improvements? Do you have FENSA
guarantees for windows or doors? If you have a mortgage, can it be ‘ported’ to
a new property or will you need to arrange a fresh deal? The more organised you
can be at the start of the process, the less chance of hold-ups further down
the line.
Looking for an expert
estate agent in Cranleigh and the surrounding villages?
Here at Roger Coupe, we’ve been providing an unrivalled
local service to customers throughout Surrey and West Sussex since 1991. Our
friendly staff have an intimate knowledge of the current market, and are always
happy to offer a free market valuation of your property. Please don’t hesitate
to get in touch or pop into our Cranleigh High
Street office for a chat.