For sellers


Our top tips are designed to help you sell your property as quickly as possible and at the best price – all of this will help your property stand out.

Super tips:

• Remember to pursue the sale and always keep on top of proceedings ensuring that the sale goes through smoothly and does take more time than necessary.
• Don't worry if you don't want to negotiate the price of your property yourself as your solicitor can do this for you.

Please click on the link below for some top tips to helping you sell your property. www.bbc.co.uk/homes/property/selling_index.shtml

• Try to recall what made you buy the property in the first place; this information can be used when writing up your property particulars and maybe a key selling point for any potential buyer.
• Try and let viewers enter a room first, it will make it seem less crowded if you stay by the door and also gives them a bit of space to have a good look around.

Top Tips:

When showing potential buyers around your property start the tour in your least favourite room and try to finish in the best room or USR (unique selling room.) This is where most questions and conversations will take place leaving any potential buyer with a good impression and thoughts regarding your property.

The Viewing

Selling to your potential buyer

• Remember you are the best person to sell your property. You know everything about it and are passionate about everything you have done to it.
• Only tell your buyer what they want to know. Some may want all the information and others very little. So work out which you have and tailor your pitch to that.
• Always listen carefully to your buyer, asking relevant questions to establish what is important to them. Once you have this information you can focus on exactly what they want to know.
• Be well informed and positive about your property; make sure you know what you’re talking about and portray this information in an upbeat and enthusiastic way.
  
  

There are several things that can improve your chance of a sale. Most buyers before actually stepping into your house will have already formed an impression. A well-kept garden, pathway, outside paintwork, fence etc are immediately appealing and carried out at a low cost but still offer valuable improvements - first impressions really do count

Give your front door a wipe down and if it needs it, get out the gloss and give it a lick of paint. A newly-painted front door with shiny brass fittings always creates a good impression.

Cutting the lawn can be a last-minute pick-me-up. Feeding it a couple of weeks beforehand will brighten it up and make it look healthy. Plant pots can provide colour in your garden. If you don't have the time to fill your own, you can always get some ready-made. Tidy up your garden, get rid of any rubbish and remove those weeds. Trimming hedges and unruly bushes is also recommended.

Indoors.

Get cleaning; just carrying out the obvious really will help. Make sure your bathroom and kitchen in particular are pristine clean. Nothing makes a room look smaller than piles of clothes all over the floor, neat and tidy – put things away.

Give your home a proper spring clean. Remember - if you do any painting inside your home to wait a few days for the smell to disappear before you put it on the market.

Clear out clutter - it may make you feel at home but can put off purchasers. Remember that a well lit uncluttered room; mirrors in small rooms, bathrooms and dark spots will all help to make them feel brighter and larger.

If your kitchen units look tired, simply replace or paint. This will be much cheaper than buying a totally new kitchen. If the units are in fairly good condition and only look dated, just replace the doorknobs, handles and taps. Another economical trick is to fit good solid worktops on to existing units.

Light and neutral colours inside are good - - bear in mind you may like vibrant colours, but they are not to everyone's taste. A regular lick of paint will keep a property looking good and keep deterioration at bay. 
Paint walls - a pale, plain shade maximises the feeling of light and space and enables buyers to imagine their possessions in the property.
 
To prevent rooms looking too bland, use cushions and accessories. Flowers can brighten up a room and create a good impression plus provide a pleasant smell. Removing clutter makes it easier for buyers to imagine their own belongings in a room 

Bathroomscan be easy revitalised with a green plant, new taps and/ or a new shower curtain and light pull. All these items can be picked up cheaply. 
Restoring fireplaces and period features, such as ceiling roses and cornices, can add thousands of pounds to a property. If you don't have a fireplace then a striking picture can work equally well. If you decide to install a fireplace, look for an original period grate and surround in reclamation yards.

Give your house a good airing,stale smell from cooking or pets can be and are a big turn off. The smell of fresh coffee is said to provide a welcoming feel to a home. 

Try and make viewers feel comfortable. Offer them a coffee and ask them if they need any further information.

Make sure the house feels warm and cosy creating an inviting atmosphere.

Finish off small DIY jobs (http://www.bbc.co.uk/homes/diy/) - touch up chipped woodwork and replace washers on dripping taps.                                                                                        

Long Term:

It is worth considering improvements that could help the prospects of making a quick sale. Updating your kitchen &/or bathroom can be a good move that can help sell and add value to your home. So is adding central heating and loft insulation.

Costly additions like swimming pools may actually hinder the sale - they're a lot of hassle and can put off families with children.

Taking photos: top tips

Please see below for some basic top tips which will help you and us to obtain the best quality photos of your property, ready for promotion on our website.

Preparation is KEY:

1. Front of Property:
   • Chose if you do or don’t want your vehicle in the shot.
   • Move your wheelie bin
   • Move any rubbish in your front garden
   • Plant empty containers & hanging baskets
2. Back of Property:
   • Mow the lawn
   • Remove weeds from the cracks in your path
   • Fix any fencing and give your Garden a good tidy up
3. Inside your Property:
   • Pull back the curtains to let in the light
   • Straighten cushions
   • Remove dirty washing
   • Clear the surfaces in your kitchen

Summary:

• Cut the clutter – nothing ruins a photo like stray objects that detract you from the image. If there’s anything distracting or isn’t part of your photo eliminate it.

Progressing the sale by simply picking up the phone and being on top of proceedings will help ensure your move proceeds as smoothly as possible. Call your solicitor regularly to check what stage your sale is at. Being in contact with these people we help ensure that you won’t be put to the bottom of the pile and forgotten about. Also being in regular contact with the buyer of your property will also help as you will both know at what stage each others offer are at and this information will help when speaking to your solicitors.