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Choosing an Agent.
The most crucial thing to remember is that a person's home is the most valuable asset they will ever own and without a doubt the most important factor that most people take account of when looking at property is how long has this property been on the market. Your house is only new to the market once, marketing in the correct manner will result in a rapid and efficient sale.
livingspaces is one of the only Agents at present to offer a full written agenda of how we intend selling your home and achieving it's true fair market value.
Having carried out considerable market research across the UK within the property sector, there are three comments that keep coming up..
1. Lack of communication from my Estate Agent when enquires are made
2. I can never get hold of my Estate Agent and they never return my calls
3. What is my Estate Agent doing to sell my house?
There are a number of different ways to sell your property including selling it yourself or at auction. Your choice will depend on how quickly you want to sell and how much leg work you want to do yourself. The main way of selling a property, however, is through an estate agent.
Whatever agent you choose to sell your home could make all the difference to whether your home sells quickly and at the right price, so it's worth choosing carefully. It may be tempting to go with the agent that quotes you the highest selling price, but how long will it take to sell at that price?
Before you give any estate agent the go ahead, make sure they will do all they can to market your home. Before you sign an agreement, find out what of the following can they offer?
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Active marketing to find buyers |
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Ways of keeping you up to date |
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Professional and helpful advice |
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A fair suggested property valuation supported with evidence |
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Nationwide network of agencies to identify potential buyers in other areas |
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Websites with details of homes all over the country |
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Ways of keeping the chain together |
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Knowledgeable staff |
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Individual on line access, to your own private diary account, enabling you to keep completely up to date on the progress of your house sale at your convince 24hours a day. |
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Open Seven Days a Week |
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Online 24 hour Sales Progression |
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Floor Plans |
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360º Virtual Tours |
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Excellent Local Knowledge |
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Experienced Staff |
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Bonded Full Colour Sales Particulars |
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Pre and Post Sale Advice |
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Full Let Management Service |
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Web Site updated by the second |
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Unlimited Colour Photos |
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Accompanied Viewing Service |
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Free current open market valuation. No obligation |
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Location Maps |
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Weekly Client Progress Reports (daily if required).plus many more |
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Marketing tools such as e-mailing and SMS messaging (picture messaging to your mobile coming soon) |
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Virtual Video tours |
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On-line printable colour brochures |
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Competitive fees on a No Sale No Fee Basis |
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All properties listed with our Company are included on the World Wide Web through this website which is linked to the UK's property portals. |
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Types of Agreement
You don't have to choose just one estate agency to sell your home but it may actually improve your chances of selling. If buyers see your home advertised in too many places, rather than come to see it, they may simply wonder what's wrong with it.
Make sure you understand what type of agency agreement you are signing before putting pen to paper:
| Sole Agency |
Only one agent markets the property. |
| Joint Agency |
Two agents market the property and split the fee between them on an agreed basis when the property is sold. |
| Multiple Agency |
Several agencies market the property and the agency that sells it gets the fee |
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Viewing Preparation
Before someone comes to see your home, make sure both the inside and the outside look well cared for and welcoming. People will be looking at your home from the pavement - or even from their car - and if they don't like what they see, they may not bother coming in. Here are some helpful tips: |
| Tidy up |
Rooms look larger and more inviting when they are neat and uncluttered. Put clothes away and close cupboard and wardrobe doors, make the beds, do the washing up, clean the sink and remove any limescale from taps. Kitchen work surfaces should be clear, make sure bathrooms are clean and toilet seats are down. |
| Get the lighting right |
Your home should look warm and cosy, inside and out. Replace any burned out bulbs, open the windows, (even for a few minutes - to get rid of any cooking or pet odours). If it's winter, make sure your home feels warm. Empty the kitchen bin, make sure the windows are clean inside and out, turn off the TV and put the radio on softly and tidy away any children's toys you have. |
| Sort the kids out |
Make sure your children will let visitors look around your property without distracting them - you may wish to arrange child care. If you have pets, make sure that they and their food are out of sight. |
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During the Viewing
If you are at home while people are viewing your property, you have an opportunity to find out what's important to them. Listen for clues and, where possible, tell them about the features of your home and the neighbourhood that you think would appeal to them.
Once you have told them everything you think is useful, let them look round the property again on their own so that they can gather their own thoughts and impressions.
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Accepting an Offer
When someone decides that your home is the one for them, they will make an offer through ourselves and we will relay it to you.
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Receiving an Offer
You may be lucky and get an offer for the full asking price. But many people offer a lower price to start with. They may do this because:
Their mortgage lender may not allow them to borrow enough money
They may feel that the property is not worth the asking price
They want to test your reaction.
It's important to remember that you don't have to take the first offer you get. In fact, you may be unable to accept a lower offer because you need the full asking price in order to buy your next home. We will talk the situation over with you.
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Assessing an Offer
There's no hard and fast rule on what makes a good offer, but it is important to know these basic criteria:
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Are they first-time buyers and therefore able to move quickly? |
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If they have a home to sell, is it already on the market? |
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Have they already accepted an offer for their home? |
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How quickly do they need to move? |
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Do they intend to pay cash? |
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If not, do they have an agreement in principle to a mortgage? |
Accepting an offer from someone who isn't ready to move yet could lead to several complications and delays later. You may want your home to remain on the market until the buyer is in a stronger position. We will offer you advice on individual offers.
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Useful Links
Your Neighbourhood, it is important to know your local neighbourhood, below are a few links that will tell you all you need to know
https://www.iammoving.com/
Let people know you have moved - this free change-of-address service covers everyone from the DVLA to British Gas.
http://www.primelocation.com/local-area-guides/local-information/
Local information supplied by Primelocation on property prices, council performance, schools and local services.
http://www.upmystreet.co.uk
Local information supplied by UpMyStreet on everything from Ambulance Response Times to School league tables.
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Please note these links should only be used as a guide. livingspaces can not accept any responsibility for misleading or inaccurate information. We suggest you should confirm any information with the local authority or other professional bodies. |
