It’s hard to believe it’s less than 12 weeks until Christmas, and we’re sure presents are the last thing on your mind! However, if you’re hoping to sell your home and move before Christmas, now is the time to act. We’ve put together our top tips to help you ensure your sale goes as smoothly as possible, so you can be in your new home before Santa comes down the chimney.
Prepare for your sale
There are several age-old tips for preparing your home for a sale; from decluttering and depersonalising to turning those forgotten storage rooms back into bedrooms. Our handy expert advice will provide you with all you need to get your home ready for a sale. Take a look here.
Choose the right agent
With so many estate agents on the high street, finding the one for you can seem like a daunting task. Good agents will have local and in-depth knowledge of the property market and the sales process, and will be proactive in their approach to selling your home.
Top tip: There’s no point saving £2,000 on fees if your property doesn’t sell. Don’t just go for the cheapest agent, but ensure your agent is proactive, open and honest – you’re going to want truthful feedback and someone who doesn’t waste time.
Price correctly
As Bruce Forsyth once said, ‘the price is right!’ and never has a saying been truer in the property market. Price too high and you’ll put off potential buyers; price too low and you’re undervaluing your asset.
Top tip: Book several valuations with different agents and research what similar properties on your street have sold for; this will allow you to price competitively, which is crucial for a quick sale.
Market professionally
How your agent markets your property is very important. A beautifully presented home will not sell itself, you need best-in-class photography, a killer written description, a beautiful brochure and a stand-out online listing to get buyers through the door.
Top tip: Before choosing your agent, take a look online at how they market existing properties, and ask what other tools they are using. There are many innovative ways to showcase your property to prospective buyers across social media channels.
Know your target market
A good agent will ask what your target market is and advise you accordingly. For example, if your home is perfect for a growing family, then turn the study into a bedroom so they can see the value of the space.
Top tip: Try to remember what made you fall in love with the property and showcase this to potential buyers.
Bring the seasons indoors
As the dark nights draw in and the leaves start to fall, creating a cosy, comforting environment is a great way to help potential buyers imagine themselves living in your property.
Top tip: Dress your sofas, chairs and beds with autumnal coloured throws and cushions in comfy textures and put the heating on to ensure your home gives people a ‘warm’ welcome when they arrive.
Choose a good conveyancer
A knowledgeable and experienced conveyancer is vital if you want to complete before Christmas. The average home takes between four to six weeks to sell from the point of an offer being accepted, so a proactive solicitor is key.
Top tip: Ask your agent for a recommendation; they will have dealt with hundreds of sales and will know the best solicitors. Ensure you have a lawyer in place as soon as you start marketing your property so you can get going as soon as you secure an offer.
Be flexible
Buyers searching in autumn are serious about their move and will likely want to be in their new home before Christmas. Try to be as flexible as possible when it comes to viewings – that 8pm viewing could be the one that sells your home!
Follow these expert tips and you should be in perfect shape to sell your home before Christmas. Just remember, removal men get booked up in advance, so ensure you schedule them early once you know your completion date!
If you are looking to sell your property before Christmas, get in touch for a complementary, no-obligation valuation.
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