Selling one’s property may not always be as straight forward as you might think. Everyone believes their property is the best or most attractive on the street. The neighbours haven’t paid as much attention or care as you have to your garden or living area, so your house deserves to be sold at the best possible price.
Unfortunately, as we all know, there are challenges and stumbling blocks that can cause your property to be on the market for longer than intended. This can make you lose money and also hinder some of the goals you want to achieve after the sale is completed (e.g. onward chain – placing an offer on another property).
Here are the common challenges encountered by many sellers and what you can do to address them.
Photo quality
Most buyers rely on the main property listing sites Zoopla and Rightmove when marketing their property. The photos are usually the first thing viewed by potential buyers (apart from the price and type of property). The quality of the photographs posted can either attract or repel a potential buyer, so what can be done to ensure that photos are of professional quality.
Once you instruct an estate agent, they often send one of their local agents to take photos of your property with necessary descriptions to be listed online. The problem is, depending on the type of agent instructed you might be left with a not so good depiction of your property. It is essential all photos are checked and verified as fit for purpose before being used as a property listing.
Not enough promotion
Another challenge experienced by sellers is that properties do not get promoted as much. Promotion and marketing are important tools to sell a home fast. Estate agents usually list properties in numerous websites to have greater chances at attracting buyers.
More traditional agents usually have a local shop-front where listings are advertised via the shop window. You can also request the estate agent to add a ‘for sale’ sign in front of your property in case passers-by may be interested in taking a look.
Incorrect valuation
Another common stumbling block when selling a home is choosing the right valuation. If you sell your home too low, you might end up losing money. On the other hand if you sell it too high, it may take too long to attract buyers.
Since the property valuation is an important decision, you can use a range of resources to find the right value for your home. You can check similar properties for sale to have an idea on how much your home should go for.
Moreover, there are online valuation sites you can use to get an estimation, or you can have a few in house valuations from estate agents to ensure the valuation listing price will be as accurate as possible.
First impression matters
Give your property a good hard look before you put it on the market. Buyers who view your home will rely on their first impression before deciding to purchase. If possible, invest a little on a fresh coat of paint and a few simple renovations.
For example, uncluttering the living area to make it look more accommodating. dry-cleaning the curtains or having the upholstery professionally deep-cleaned before viewings can make a big difference.
If there are broken locks or bulbs that don’t work, have them replaced. It will only take a few simple efforts on your part to make your home look more attractive to the buyer.
