Top tricks of the trade
Looking to buy or sell? One of Britain’s most experienced agents reveals his . . .
THE process of buying and selling is always riddled with stress, anxieties and unanswered questions — especially in today’s housing market.
But help is at hand from ROGER PUNCH of Marchand Petit in Devon, who has more than 50 years experience and is one of the South West’s most well-known estate agents. Here are his top tips for securing a sale, or buying at a bargain price.
SELLING
■ INTERVIEW several estate agencies before choosing. Ask if they have sold many properties in the neighbourhood. How long did they take to sell? ensure they put an experienced negotiator in charge.
■ FIRST impressions count so make the outside look cherished. A power wash can work wonders. Hide the wheelie bins.
■ KEEP a parking space free for viewers. You don’t want a viewing to start on the wrong foot with your buyer having to park two streets away.
■ GET a friend to cast an eye and nose over your home. Are there any smells of damp dogs, nappies or worse that you are immune to?
■ MAKE sure every room has an obvious function, be it a kitchen, study or playroom.
■ IF your house has an obvious flaw, such as a kitchen that is too small, find a builder to give you a realistic estimate for knocking through a wall or adding an extension. Show the written estimate to the buyer.
■ NOT everybody likes animals so if you have a viewing, remove any cats, dogs, snakes, rats.
■ DO the basics well. Fill vases, light fires and pay attention to lighting. A few well placed table lamps are visually soothing.
BUYING
■ DON’T judge a building from the outside and don’t rely on Google earth or Street View, which are inevitably historic.
■ HAVING decided on, roughly the area where you want to live, focus on your favourite road. You can improve a property but you can’t change a neighbourhood.
■ VISIT the property several times before you make an offer. ideally go there in the week and the weekend at different times.
■ STUDY plans for local infrastructure. You may love that your chosen house has country views across fields and valleys. Check there are no plans for suburban sprawl to wreck it.
■ MAKE sure the vendor is aware you know your stuff. i once had a buyer in Cornwall who asked: ‘What time does the tide go out on a Saturday?’
■ DON’T put in a ‘silly’ offer to start negotiations. it could annoy the seller and rule out a deal.
■ MAKE notes. You may later have trouble remembering everything about the house. So jot down details such as the state of the window frames, proximity from the main road and shops.
■ DON’T overestimate your own DIY skills. installing a kitchen or a bathroom may look simple on television but it’s not that easy.
■ NEVER make an offer immediately. remain flexible and negotiate on other terms such as closing dates or fixtures and fittings.