Tips for Selling Your House

Competition is fierce in the UK housing market.

You need to find ways to stand out from the crowd.

Whether you’ve sold a house before or not, there is a lot to consider.

That’s why we’ve outlined our top tips for selling your house in the blog below.

1. Remove clutter

People viewing your property need to imagine themselves living there.

If your house is filled with furniture or scraps of paper then this is a challenge.

The same applies for toys thrown all over the floor. Potential buyers often appreciate a ‘blank canvas’ when viewing a house.

Clear away coats from the hallways, bathing products in the bathroom, jars and tins in the kitchen, and so on.

Taking time to remove clutter before you host your viewings will increase your chance of success.

2. Clean the house

Everyone appreciates a clean house. Cleaning up before viewings lets people see your house in its best possible light.

A few obvious places to start include:

Remove stains from the carpets
Vacuum the sofas
Replace broken lightbulbs
Repaint the front door
Take out the bins

You may want to hire a professional cleaner to do this for you, if you can’t find the time yourself.

Even if it costs a small fee, it might be worth it in the long run if you get a better off on your property.

3. Focus on the ‘curb appeal’

As the famous saying goes: ‘You don’t get a second chance at a first impression’.

When people pull up to the front of your property, you need them to be wowed straight away.

Refreshing the paint on the front door is an excellent first step. You should also mow the lawn, trim any hedges, fill in driveway cracks, and replace broken windows.

If you have several cars at the front of the property, consider cleaning them.

If you’re selling a flat, schedule viewings after the next maintenance visit.

4. Make sure all documentation is organised

There are dozens of things that could go wrong when you sell a house.

You improve your chances of success if you get your documentation handled in advance.

Some of the most important paperwork to sort out includes:

Leasehold agreement – including the time length on the lease
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
Property Information Form (TA6)
Fittings and contents form (TA10)

These forms could present unexpected challenges, making it even more important to complete them in advance. Speak to an expert for more guidance on completing each.

5. Gather opinions on selling price

Your selling price is one of the most important factors for finding a buyer.

When the asking price is too high, people often won’t bother to enquire about viewing it.

But with a low asking price, they may presume that there are issues with the house and distrust you.

Some agents exaggerate your house’s value so you sell with them. But if you bring in independent experts, you get an impartial quotation.

Gathering several opinions on the value of your house rather than one enables you to calculate an average. It also removes the possibility of being misled.

6. Choose the right time to sell

Your personal circumstances and the market conditions will both dictate when is the ideal time to sell.

Market conditions and even what season you put your house on the market significantly impact your chances of success.

It’s not just about the market, though. You should only move house at a convenient time for you.

This will factor in events such as:

Life events (new chidren, marriage, etc.)
Career and employment changes
Upcoming holidays
Personal finances will also affect it.

Experts can tell you whether it’s a ‘buyer’s market‘ or a ‘seller’s market’, which can guide your decision.

Make sure that the right professionals are supporting you

The professionals supporting you when selling your house have an enormous impact on how smoothly the sale occurs.

Your estate agent is important. They will value your property, greatly impacting its sellability and your gain (or loss) from the sale. They will also market it, which will affect your timeframe for moving.

Having a good conveyancer will also be crucial. They ensure legal accuracy and also offer support by coordinating with parties and guiding clients.

Bad estate agents or conveyancing delays can even cause sales to fall through. Research the best professionals in your area – check reviews, visit websites and speak to previous customers.

You may have to pay a higher price to receive a better service. But if this results in a faster sale and less mistakes, it could be a worthwhile investment.

Consider all your options

There are a variety of ways to sell your house.

Selling privately

Selling houses privately is becoming increasingly popular. Homeowners want to sidestep estate agency commissions.

If you have the time to host viewings, take photographs, and market, this is worth considering.

Cash buying companies

Cash buying companies (or individuals) represent an excellent option as well.

If your house is in poor condition or in a bad neighborhood, cash buyers are invaluable.

Common examples of this include:

Your lease length is below 80 years
Tenants are living in-situ
The house is derelict (i.e., it is unlivable)
There are problems with flooding, asbestos, or Japanese Knotweed
An outdated construction method has been used on the house.

From an additional costs point of view, this is also typically the cheapest way to sell your house.

Auction houses

Auction houses are also useful when houses have serious issues.

They take longer to sell at than with cash buyers. They still include a middleman (the auction house). And they are not necessarily guaranteed sale.

However, they are considerably faster than putting your home on the open market and simpler than selling privately.

Think about your next move

When listing your house on the market, you must consider your next move. When you find a potential buyer tomorrow, where will you move?

You need to have another house lined up. Decide on your budget, ideal location, property type and more, and then view houses that fit the description.

Buying or renting are both viable options – and family members might let you move in with them for a short period, too.