Preparing your home so it’s ready to sell
HELP AND ADVICE:
Pop into the branch at 122 High Street, Uxbridge, and the team will be happy to offer advice on buying or selling a property.
PLANNING is fundamental when selling your property and good preparation in advance will help ensure your sale runs smoothly as possible from start to finish. It’s not just decorating and general DIY sellers should be thinking about before marketing their property in readiness for viewings, although this will of course help attract potential buyers and aid in obtaining the best photographs for marketing material.
However, some sellers forget about the legal aspects required in preparing their property for the sales market.
The first port of call is really to decide whether you definitely want to move, bearing in mind the selling and moving process can be stressful it is important that you are emotionally and financially ready. Then select a selling agent carefully, one who provides honest information and research to support their valuation and service claims.
It’s important to instruct an agent with a good reputation for customer service and performance whom you feel will market your home to the best possible standard, and who is a member of the Property Ombudsman Scheme and the Office of Fair Trading. Remember good potential buyers will equally want to deal with a reputable agent.
Before your property is marketed for sale take a step back and look at your home through the eyes of potential buyers. Make your home inviting, de-clutter, put personal items away, ensure it is clean and tidy throughout, redecorate where necessary and tidy the gardens and driveway.
First impressions count so get your entrance looking inviting. During the winter, some viewings may take place in the evenings when dark so make sure all lights are working, replace bulbs and leave the heating on to help make your property is welcoming and inviting.
In addition, any building work that has been carried out on the property will result in you needing to produce building regulations and planning permissions, as well as the relevant completion certificate for the work. By law, an Energy Performance Certificate giving information on how to make your home more energy efficient and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, needs to be provided. Lakin & Co will arrange this for you prior to marketing, along with floor plans, professional photos and brochures.
Conveyancing is the legal part of selling your property Lakin & Co’s recommended solicitors can provide helpful information and conveyancing quotations before the start of the marketing process and prepare all the necessary documentation to reduce the time from offer to exchange.
The above are just a few points of advice Lakin & Co provides to clients before selling their property. Contact Lakin & Co today for a free no obligation valuation and see how they can help you.