SELLERS GUIDE
If you’re thinking about selling your home, here are a few handy tips from us
Working with your agent
Work with your agent and make them work for you. At CG Homes we believe every seller and their home is unique. We’d like you to tell us what made you fall in love with your home and what you enjoy most about it now. We’ll highlight this information when we start marketing your home on our site.
Listen to your agent’s advice. They do know the local market and fundamentally, they have your interests at heart.
Money matters
Settling on an asking price will be one of the biggest decisions you make in this process. Invite a selection of local agents to come in and value your property, but don’t just go with the agent that provides the highest valuation and/or the lowest fee. An over-inflated asking price may really inhibit the speed of the sale. A low agent fee may mean you get a mediocre service at best. Do your research well.
Preparing your home
There’s no avoiding those little DIY jobs that have been waiting to be done for years when you are looking to sell. Take some time to fix those loose floorboards, finish paint jobs etc. These details matter.
Once that’s done, have a good clear out. Get rid of any clutter and thin out your personal items, like bulky ornaments, family photographs, paperwork and toys. This gives buyers the space to visualise themselves living in your house.
Before the viewings begin, make sure your home is sparkling clean from top to bottom, especially the kitchen and bathroom.
Line up your solicitor and do some pre-planning
Instruct a solicitor from the outset so that you are ready for action. Waiting until you have accepted an offer can delay the process unnecessarily.
Make sure you have all of your paperwork in order as this can really speed things up. Likewise, obtain any planning or building consents well in advance – these can help clinch a sale. Your estate agent and solicitor will be able to advise you on the type of paperwork you need to gather.
When the buyers are in
It is usually best to let your estate agent show the buyers around whilst you go out – they will feel more comfortable if you’re not there. This means they can have an open discussion about your house without fear of causing offence. They’ll also be able to take their time imagining how your home could become their home.
It’s a tricky one, but try and work around viewings. It really helps matters if buyers are able to view your home at a time that suits them. If not, there’s the risk they’ll see another property and forget yours.
Considering the offer
It is normal practice for buyers to offer 5-10% less than the advertised asking price so don’t be surprised if initial offers are a little low.
There is no need to accept or reject an offer straightaway, it is perfectly normal to think things over for a day or two. You could even check other sold house prices to get an idea of what other properties in your area have gone for.
It is a good idea to find out from your estate agent the buyer’s position first before making any decisions as there are other important factors to keep in mind when deciding who to sell your house to.