Selling guides
A Guide to Selling Your Property
New to selling your home, or been a while since you last went through the process? This guide gives you an overview of the sales process so that it's a successful move all round.
Preparation
Make a start with the jobs below a few weeks before putting your house on the market, so your home is ready for photography and you avoid last-minute panics.
Tidy exterior
Make sure the exterior of the property is free from rubbish and the garden is tidy, with mown lawns, trimmed hedges and a weed-free approach.
Decorate
Paint grubby walls, or those in dark or unusual colours, in light, neutral shades.
Clear
Remove extra furniture and put it in the garage or into storage to make the rooms appear bigger.
Maintenance
Attend to repairs such as broken drawer handles, cupboard doors hanging off their hinges and missing bathroom or kitchen tiles. Replace burnt-out bulbs — soft up-lighting is more flattering than a harsh ceiling light. Check plumbing, windows, curtains and blinds are clean, unbroken, secure and working properly.
Clean up
With the high-level maintenance taken care of, your next job is back to basics.
Spring clean
Clean out cupboards and wardrobes. Hire a steam cleaner to remove carpet stains, and keep on top of taking out the rubbish. Check all rugs, lino and wooden or tiled floors are clean and in good condition.
De-clutter
Remove anything from shelves and windowsills that a prospective buyer may notice as they enter the house.
Blitz the bathrooms
Thoroughly clean the toilet, bath, shower, sink, mirrors and cabinets.
Valuation and viewings
When you're ready to instruct an agent and start having viewings, it's time to add the finishing touches.
First impressions
Put fresh flowers in as many rooms as possible. Put a new toilet roll in the holder and clean towels in the bathroom. Make the beds!
Sensory appeal
Make sure your home smells fresh. Brew coffee, bake bread and light those scented candles. Avoid air fresheners as they smell too artificial.
Pet-sitters
Ask a neighbour or friend to look after your pets. Not everyone likes pets, and some prospective buyers may even be allergic.
Selling points
List the non-obvious things that make the property attractive — a particularly sunny spot in the garden, friendly neighbours, good local shops. Small things like these really help create the best impression.
Access matters
It's important that we can let people view your property at a time convenient for them. Give us a set of keys so we can organise accompanied viewings, leaving you free to get on with other commitments.
Keep an open mind
Viewing feedback
Don't worry if the first few positive viewings don't lead to a sale. It doesn't mean there is anything wrong with your home or the way it is presented. Do be open to feedback and prepared to listen to ideas that make your property more appealing.
Offers
When an offer does appear, you don't have to accept the first one. It's worth discussing with us whether more could be achieved by waiting. Equally, think about what might prompt you to consider offers below asking price — a cash or chain-free buyer and a swift sale may save you money in the long run.
Negotiation
A survey may reveal repairs that affect the price a buyer is willing to pay. Negotiation doesn't have to be only about the asking price — if your home is perfect for first-time buyers, offering to leave furniture or soft furnishings such as curtains can help.
Preparing to move
Accepting an offer is the start of transferring the property to your buyer, which takes several weeks. Our top tip is to be prepared: make sure you have legal representation in place so you're ready to exchange contracts and set a completion date. We can help with a conveyancing recommendation.
Ready to take the next step?
Speak with the team about a valuation, a viewing or anything else on your mind.