Preparing to Sell Your Home

The Preparation

At The Personal Agent, we have experienced staff available to guide you through preparing to sell your home. Our dedicated team will focus on the specific elements that have to be covered to ensure the best possible preparations are achieved.

Selling your home is likely to be an unfamiliar experience. For whatever reason you are looking to move, there are essential steps to take to ensure you achieve the desired outcome in the preferred time-frame. 

Stages of Selling your House

Depending on your personal need, these can be utilised to speed up the sale process or increase value of your property.

Before beginning the process of selling your home, you should be certain that this is a decision you want to make. There are always alternatives to selling such as home renovation, creating more space with an extension or reimagining existing rooms with new purposes..

Determine the cost of selling your home

The costs involved with any sale or purchase can be significant so careful budgeting and financial controls should be in place from the outset.

Be patient with your home sale

Buying and selling a house can take longer than you would think so you should not rush the process. Many people choose to sell their home and turn to renting for a period of time before deciding what to buy. This can help your decisions and pace of the process, potentially avoiding a hurried and under-valued sale of your house.

Research your estate agent

Do research on a preferred estate agent. Find an agent that knows the region, has local offices and assess their performance on sales and success rates.

Find the value of your home

Have a clear idea of the price for the sale of your home. Review the local market and conditions and prepare a working number for initial questions on valuation. Do not worry, the agent will help you with this.

Tips for Selling Your House

House presentation

Imagine the first impression a viewer will have when they enter your home. Some basic visual indicators can make all the difference for a potential buyer. There are some simple things you can do in advance of a viewing that take minimal effort and little cost.

Declutter your home

Declutter common areas and places that a visitor will see and move through. While it is likely you are living and utilising all of the house when selling, it is important to try to see it from the perspective of someone new wanting to move in. 

Depersonalise your home

Depersonalise sections where possible, removing items and belongings that do not provide any advantage or benefit to a viewer assessing the property. 

Work on kerb-appeal

Simply tidying the garden and entrance ways on approach and at the surrounds of the property will aid that first impression. Clean, clean and clean again! Wash down doors or areas of daily spills and marks. 

Maximise light and space

Show off areas of space and maximise light into your home by opening curtains and blinds. A quick touch-up of paint on doors or where possible, walls that look tired or have bold colours. A neutral look is generally best.

Home Staging

In order to achieve market potential a carefully prepared property will stand out instantly to a prospective buyer. Home staging companies offer a service that temporarily renovates your home in preparation for marketing pictures and viewings. Enlisting an agency is not always necessary however it is sometimes easier to outsource the work than doing it yourself. Discuss with your estate agent as to whether using a home staging company is the right decision for you. Fixtures and Repairs

There are common areas of a home that need to be repaired prior to viewings. These can include:

• Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors; 
• Switches
• Light bulbs
• Door-handles
• Water heaters
• Skirting boards
• Floorboards
• Staircases
• Blinds and Curtains 
• Cracked window or glass panes
• Taps
• Kitchen and Bathroom equipment

Beyond these more simple items, you must consider the structural state of the property, including walls, steps, the garden and land, entrances and areas of secure access. Assess the relevance and cost for each to be repaired to a standard that will confirm the value of the property as you wish it to be.

Be wary of over-spending. Avoid proceeding with more significant projects such as adding new extensions, conservatories or patios, purely for the sake of selling. This can be a drain on finances and not necessarily what a buyer would be looking for. In the case of a market downturn, you could end up losing significantly against the financial outlay on larger projects and installations.

Consult the experts early

Beyond these measures and what may appear fairly obvious steps to take, it is always advisable to talk to professionals when preparing to sell your house. Expert eyes will spot areas you might have missed or not even considered. The Energy Rating Certificate, for example, is an essential element a buyer will want to know.

At TPA, we have dedicated staff to talk to you about the entire process. We use careful methodology based on our proven track record of sales and providing sellers with optimum guidance. We understand the property market and complex processes and can remove major concerns with easy to access advice and a personal approach.

FAQ

How do I determine the market value of my property?

Consider hiring a professional appraiser or estate agent to assess the value of your property. They will consider factors like location, size, condition as well as recent sales in the area. 

What repairs or improvements should I make before selling?

Focus on essential repairs first. Consider freshening up the paint, fixing any structural issues and enhancing kerb appeal. Small upgrades in kitchens and bathrooms can also add value. We would recommend avoiding making large-scale, costly upgrades like extensions or renovations so close to selling as the financial impact of these may make moving more difficult.

Do I need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before selling?

Yes, it is a legal requirement in the UK. An EPC assesses the energy efficiency of your property and provides recommendations for improvement.

What are the costs associated with selling a house in the UK?

Costs include estate agent fees, solicitor fees, EPC costs and potential stamp duty if you are buying a new property. Be prepared for additional expenses related to repairs or improvements.