Not many people stay in the same property throughout their lifetime, so there will come a time when you’ll have to decide to put your home on the market. Although you may feel emotionally attached to your home, not all potential buyers will see it the way you do; therefore, you need to know how to make it stand out from the crowd to attract attention and sell quickly. There are several things you absolutely must do before selling your home. There are also many key mistakes that homeowners make to be avoided at all costs if they want to secure the very best opportunity of selling their property. Here are just a few to keep in mind:
Not hiring an estate agent
Although you may lose approximately 5% of the sale value to an estate agent for commission, it wouldn’t be a good idea to try and sell without professional assistance, especially if you have never sold a property before. It can be extremely tempting to try and go it alone when you consider how much you have to pay in fees, but ultimately, an estate agent could dramatically improve your chances of securing a sale – and fast. They’ll help you select a reasonable selling price and deal with potential buyers who are serious about putting in an offer rather than those who are just inquisitive timewasters. An experienced agent will also be able to handle any difficulties that arise without you having to be directly involved, which will limit a great deal of time and stress.
Failing to insulate your home
Buyers are constantly on the lookout for aspects that could help them knock down the asking price; therefore, you need to try and resolve all of the issues before a buyer spots them. A home inspector will help you iron out any concerns that you may not have noticed but may well be spotted by potential buyers. Heat loss is just one example of a factor that could make your home harder to sell, as it can cost the buyer thousands of dollars per year, so it needs to be managed in advance. This may include installing double-glazed windows and attic insulation to prevent heat from escaping through the roof.
Not adding photos
The majority of buyers now look for properties online; therefore, you’ll be limiting your chances if you don’t add photos to the listing. Crisp, quality photos of the main rooms of the home should be added, and using a wide-angled lens would also be another tip to make the rooms look more spacious.
Selling during the winter months
You may not have thought about the best season to sell up, but studies have shown that winter is the worst time to put your home on the market. This is due to the fact that homeowners are less likely to feel motivated to move as a result of the cold weather and Christmas on the horizon; consequently, it would be advised to wait until the weather starts to get a little better to enhance your chances of securing a buyer.
