Selling a House

A GUIDE TO SELLING A HOME  

Now that you have decided to sell your home, have a good look at the property. View it through the eyes for someone else – be critical. Your aim is to create a clean, pleasant environment that will suit the majority of tastes & one in which other people can imagine themselves living in.

Outdoors - make sure the first glimpse at your property is an appealing one - tidy the garden, clean the windows, touch up paintwork, and trim the hedges.

Indoors - could you taste / décor be off-putting to potential buyers? De-cluttering & neutralising are often all that is required when selling your home but it is worth spending some time & money on this. Tone down any vibrant colour schemes, thoroughly clean your property & put as much stuff as possible into storage. Are there any outstanding DIY jobs to be completed?

Be realistic about the price you are asking.

Be flexible about viewing times.

THE SELLING PROCESS

Once you have chosen your estate agent & your property has been measured, photographed and described in glowing terms, its time for the viewings to commence.

	Space & light are very important – open all curtains & blinds.
	Make the beds.
	Wash & put away dishes & laundry.
	Try to get rid of any strong smells (ie animals)
	Make sure the house is warm - if there is an open fireplace, light the fire.

RECEIVING AN OFFER

Once you receive an offer, you can start negotiating. Do not be rushed by the buyers however. Take your time & consider all aspects of the sale, deciding whether you want to negotiate on the price, timescale for exchanging contracts, and what else you may want to include in the sale price such as fixtures & fittings. 

EXCHANGING A CONTRACT

Once you have accepted an offer you should start preparing to exchange contracts. You are under no obligation to sell until you exchange contracts. However once contracts are exchanged & signed you are then legally obliged to sell so pulling out could mean legal action against you.  

COMPLETION

The moving date can be decided between you & the buyers. Always leave the house in a good condition, cleaned, cleared & ready to welcome its new occupants.