What do homeowners need to do to achieve a good price for their home? To help potential sellers make the most of their property the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) shares some top tips.
Christian Harper of Chiswick estate agents OliverFinn: "Obtain at least three valuations from Estate agents.Do not just go for the highest as some agents just price high to justify their high fees, once they have your business; they will look to reduce the price a few weeks later." Here is some good advice from NAEA:
Seek an accurate valuation
With competition on the increase, it is crucial to ensure that the valuation is competitive in current market conditions. As well as potentially decreasing the chance of selling, an inflated asking price may result in mortgage providers refusing finance for would-be buyers if they believe the valuation to be unrealistic.
Energy efficiency
As heating costs rise, many households are making their homes’ energy efficiency a priority. Despite the return of warmer weather, some buyers may use an Energy Performance Certificate (
EPC) as a bargaining tool when looking to negotiate the price down. Taking simple steps such as installing draft excluders or improving the roof or boiler insulation will improve energy efficiency.
Show off your best bits
It is the smaller and often overlooked factors which help secure a sale. Often clearing up clutter is one of the best ways of increasing your home’s saleability. Make sure the garden is well presented and redecorate to improve the attractiveness of your home to would-be buyers. An open day is a useful way of showcasing your home to several buyers at once. It minimises disruption and is a great opportunity to display your home at its best.
Refresh, review and repair
If necessary, re-paint key rooms like the lounge and kitchen. Neutral decor generally appeals to buyers as they can project their own vision for the property on to this ‘blank canvas’. Cleaning marks from worn walls, re-grouting bathroom surfaces and replacing any broken fixtures really helps to perk up a property.
It is worth taking the time to ensure things like door bells and light bulbs function as they should. If you have a viewing in the evening, think carefully about how best to light each room – while natural light is usually a good thing, too much artificial lighting can seem stark.
Choose the professionals
Selling your home is the biggest financial transaction of a person’s life and can often be stressful. When deciding on the estate agent always use an NAEA member, who will provide the knowledge and professionalism to give you peace of mind throughout the sale process. All members are signed up to the
NAEA’s client money protection scheme.
More
guidelines for sellers from OliverFinn.
Christian Harper of Chiswick estate agents OliverFinn: "Obtain at least three valuations from Estate agents.Do not just go for the highest as some agents just price high to justify their high fees, once they have your business; they will look to reduce the price a few weeks later." Here is some good advice from NAEA:
Seek an accurate valuation
With competition on the increase, it is crucial to ensure that the valuation is competitive in current market conditions. As well as potentially decreasing the chance of selling, an inflated asking price may result in mortgage providers refusing finance for would-be buyers if they believe the valuation to be unrealistic.
Energy efficiency
As heating costs rise, many households are making their homes’ energy efficiency a priority. Despite the return of warmer weather, some buyers may use an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) as a bargaining tool when looking to negotiate the price down. Taking simple steps such as installing draft excluders or improving the roof or boiler insulation will improve energy efficiency.
Show off your best bits
It is the smaller and often overlooked factors which help secure a sale. Often clearing up clutter is one of the best ways of increasing your home’s saleability. Make sure the garden is well presented and redecorate to improve the attractiveness of your home to would-be buyers. An open day is a useful way of showcasing your home to several buyers at once. It minimises disruption and is a great opportunity to display your home at its best.
Refresh, review and repair
If necessary, re-paint key rooms like the lounge and kitchen. Neutral decor generally appeals to buyers as they can project their own vision for the property on to this ‘blank canvas’. Cleaning marks from worn walls, re-grouting bathroom surfaces and replacing any broken fixtures really helps to perk up a property.
It is worth taking the time to ensure things like door bells and light bulbs function as they should. If you have a viewing in the evening, think carefully about how best to light each room – while natural light is usually a good thing, too much artificial lighting can seem stark.
Choose the professionals
Selling your home is the biggest financial transaction of a person’s life and can often be stressful. When deciding on the estate agent always use an NAEA member, who will provide the knowledge and professionalism to give you peace of mind throughout the sale process. All members are signed up to the NAEA’s client money protection scheme.
More guidelines for sellers from OliverFinn.
