HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME THIS AUTUMN
Fri 26 Oct 2018
It can take an average of 60 days to sell a home so you probably need to be on the market by the end of October at the latest to give yourself the best chance of selling by Christmas.
Don’t forget to tell your agent and prospective purchasers about your plans to move which should help you stand out and improve your bargaining position.
But you also need to get the asking price right then you should find a buyer quickly. Get it wrong and you won’t know how much you’ll end up with or when you’ll sell. Relying solely on portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla, valuation tools or price paid per square foot can be misleading.
Ask your agent to explain what type of property they’ve sold in the area and why they believe their recommended price will be received – or close to it.
Sadly, some sellers consider their property will achieve the same price however it is presented and whichever agent is selling. They can be blinded by national price movements and love of their home so economic realities or subdued trading conditions don’t apply to them. If so, their choice of agent can depend on lowest fees and highest valuation rather than appropriate asking price, and marketing strategy.
Around 19 out of 20 sellers still put their faith in High Street rather than online estate agents because their commission is generally only due if they introduce the buyer. Online agents have little or no incentive to sell whereas their fee may not include VAT, accompanied viewings and freedom to use your own conveyancer or solicitor.
Another reason why the overwhelming majority of sellers use High Street agents is that most specialise in managing chains and problems which can arise, bearing in mind around 1 in 3 sales fall through. Approximately 50% of homes are withdrawn from the market within three months for which you’d pay nothing if listed with a High Street agent but would have already paid if online.
Online agents hope to generate interest from their websites but if that doesn’t work their only option is to reduce the asking price so sellers could lose even more. It can be cheaper to use online agents if they sell your home – otherwise you’ve paid for a very expensive listing!
Unlike most local agents, Jeremy Leaf & Co have been successfully competing with larger firms for over 30 years. What is the secret of our success? Apart from working very hard, we offer independent advice combined with unrivalled local knowledge and personal service to guide customers through the property maze.
Our locally-based, fully trained staff never forget the first rule of marketing property is – you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. But expert advice is not just important in the first week but until an acceptable offer is secured.
Most buying decisions are made within a few minutes of arrival so we explain how to pro-actively present your home in the best possible light depending on budget and timing.
If little attention is generated within a few weeks, your property may be over-priced and stick on the market so consider changing price, presentation, and agent – or all 3!
Reduce the risk of delays by having utility bills, consents, details of boundary ownership etc available and, if leasehold, service charge and ground rent information. Send copies to your solicitor/conveyancer and instruct them to prepare draft contracts and replies to enquiries.
There’s no substitute for professional advice in person from suitably experienced and RICS and NAEA-qualified High Street agents like Jeremy Leaf & Co, who can add to the value and saleability of your home as well as reduce the risk of problems arising. Our customers have a single point of contact from appraisal, marketing, viewings, offers and conduct of the sale through to completion. We are a great place to start!
Don’t forget to tell your agent and prospective purchasers about your plans to move which should help you stand out and improve your bargaining position.
But you also need to get the asking price right then you should find a buyer quickly. Get it wrong and you won’t know how much you’ll end up with or when you’ll sell. Relying solely on portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla, valuation tools or price paid per square foot can be misleading.
Ask your agent to explain what type of property they’ve sold in the area and why they believe their recommended price will be received – or close to it.
Sadly, some sellers consider their property will achieve the same price however it is presented and whichever agent is selling. They can be blinded by national price movements and love of their home so economic realities or subdued trading conditions don’t apply to them. If so, their choice of agent can depend on lowest fees and highest valuation rather than appropriate asking price, and marketing strategy.
Around 19 out of 20 sellers still put their faith in High Street rather than online estate agents because their commission is generally only due if they introduce the buyer. Online agents have little or no incentive to sell whereas their fee may not include VAT, accompanied viewings and freedom to use your own conveyancer or solicitor.
Another reason why the overwhelming majority of sellers use High Street agents is that most specialise in managing chains and problems which can arise, bearing in mind around 1 in 3 sales fall through. Approximately 50% of homes are withdrawn from the market within three months for which you’d pay nothing if listed with a High Street agent but would have already paid if online.
Online agents hope to generate interest from their websites but if that doesn’t work their only option is to reduce the asking price so sellers could lose even more. It can be cheaper to use online agents if they sell your home – otherwise you’ve paid for a very expensive listing!
Unlike most local agents, Jeremy Leaf & Co have been successfully competing with larger firms for over 30 years. What is the secret of our success? Apart from working very hard, we offer independent advice combined with unrivalled local knowledge and personal service to guide customers through the property maze.
Our locally-based, fully trained staff never forget the first rule of marketing property is – you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. But expert advice is not just important in the first week but until an acceptable offer is secured.
Most buying decisions are made within a few minutes of arrival so we explain how to pro-actively present your home in the best possible light depending on budget and timing.
If little attention is generated within a few weeks, your property may be over-priced and stick on the market so consider changing price, presentation, and agent – or all 3!
Reduce the risk of delays by having utility bills, consents, details of boundary ownership etc available and, if leasehold, service charge and ground rent information. Send copies to your solicitor/conveyancer and instruct them to prepare draft contracts and replies to enquiries.
There’s no substitute for professional advice in person from suitably experienced and RICS and NAEA-qualified High Street agents like Jeremy Leaf & Co, who can add to the value and saleability of your home as well as reduce the risk of problems arising. Our customers have a single point of contact from appraisal, marketing, viewings, offers and conduct of the sale through to completion. We are a great place to start!