Common mistakes to avoid when selling your property in Portsmouth or Southampton

Putting your property on the market can seem like a complicated procedure, and without the right guidance, things can go very wrong.

There are a few mistakes which sellers tend to make time and again, so we thought here at Chimneypots Estate Agents we would bring these selling pitfalls to your attention and give you are advice on how best to avoid them.

Listen to your agent

In a recent study, estate agents were asked what they felt were the biggest mistakes that sellers made when putting their property up for sale. Perhaps an unsurprising result in a survey of agents, the number one – with 70% of the vote – was that sellers are not listening to their agents’ advice when it comes to price.

As the homeowner, you know your property better than anybody, but ignoring an agent’s advice could mean that you price your property too low; forcing you to lose out on some cash, or price it too high, meaning no-one is interested in your property.

A good agent, like those working here at Southampton and Portsmouth-based Chimneypots have unrivalled knowledge not only of property market, but also of the local area.

In the past year alone, property values in Southampton and Portsmouth have increased significantly, so we would take these, and any other market changes into consideration when giving your home a full market appraisal.

Keep it tidy

The second most prevalent mistake that sellers are making is that they are failing to adequately tidy up their property before the all-important viewing. Buyers want to visualise living in a property, and this can be troublesome if you can’t even see the floor!

Although the house doesn’t have to look immaculate for every single viewing (buyers will understand that the home has to be lived in) we advise that the floor is clear, any unwanted clutter removed, and the appropriate lighting is being used, especially in these winter months where the afternoon brings darkness.

Be flexible

Another common trap that silly sellers fall into is not being available for viewings. It’s likely that the majority of your buyers will be full-time workers, or have children to look after, therefore finding the time to squeeze in a property viewing could be difficult, especially if you have a seller who doesn’t ever seem to be free.

Ultimately, you want to sell your property in the quickest time for the best possible price, so to ensure the process doesn’t take forever and a day you must ensure you’re available. What would you prefer, a hectic social life or a sold property? We're open seven days a week, so we advise that your property is too!

Be a friendly face

Surprisingly, rudeness while views are taking place was also named as one of the top mistakes that property sellers are making. This is most certainly an error as you want your property to feel like a home, and being unapproachable and unfriendly is unlikely to give off that vibe.

Instead, ensure that both you and your home appear attractive to the buyer. Create a cosy, homely atmosphere by whacking up the heat in the coming winter months and perhaps provide viewers with biscuits and drinks on arrival.

Don’t, however, be pushy and enforce the property's plus points on the potential buyers at every opportunity. You don’t want to appear overbearing, so allow buyers to roam freely.

Have you ever made any of these common errors when selling a home? If you’re thinking of placing your property on the market and would like some further tips and advice to ensure it all goes plain sailing, then why not get in touch with Portsmouth and Southampton’s favourite estate agent Chimneypots?

Alternatively, if you would like to discover how much your property is worth then we have a free, instant online valuation tool.

http://chimneypotsestateagent.co.uk/common-mistakes-to-avoid-when-selling-your-property-in-portsmouth-or-southampton/

How to keep a Southampton or Portsmouth rental property in check this winter

With winter nearly here, it’s more important than ever for landlords to keep their rental properties in check. Homes that are in good condition make for happy tenants, which is what every landlord is striving for.

After all, satisfied tenants are more likely to stay for the long-term, ensuring that those dreaded void periods can be swerved.

  

Keeping your property in tip-top condition can become more difficult when winter strikes, though. The temperature drops a few degrees, the average rainfall increases and the likelihood of adverse weather conditions is much higher.

Below, using our experience as estate agents working in Southampton, Portsmouth and across the south of England, we outline some of the things you can do to keep any issues at bay.

Prevent any clogs

At this time of the year, drains and gutters are much more susceptible to becoming clogged by leaves or other items. They might also be weakened by heavy rain, so it’s important to act early to prevent more costly work having to be carried out at a later date.

Make your home look fresh

Winter can have an effect on outside paintwork, which could give off an unsightly battered and bruised look to your rental property. Tenants want to be house-proud, something that is less likely if the outside of the place they call home doesn’t look up to scratch.

Also, if you are trying to occupy your home with tenants, then giving the outside of your home a quick lick of paint could be very beneficial. Other small things, like trimming the hedge or making sure the driveway looks ship-shape, could also help your cause.

Keep damp away

Damp can be a major problem in the colder months. Not only does it look unsightly, it can also cause longer-term problems that will cost landlords more over time. Preventative maintenance, to make sure damp doesn’t become a longer-term issue, would be a wise move.

This can include things like asking your tenants to turn on the bathroom fan when they have a shower, as well as opening the window for a while after. You can also ask them to cover boiling liquids in the kitchen and dry clothes outdoors, weather permitting.

Making sure your walls are properly insulated, increasing ventilation in your property (not so easy in the colder months, granted, but it will help to limit moisture from spreading other areas of the house) and heating your property effectively are other ways of keeping damp at bay.

Stop pipes from freezing

A cold snap can massively increase the chances of pipes bursting or freezing. Keeping the heating on, running cold water regularly and draining outside taps where possible will all help to prevent this nightmare scenario from occurring. This is particularly important if your property is unoccupied over the winter months. If you don’t have tenants in place, make sure you do all you can to prevent frozen or burst pipes. It’s not worth taking a risk in this case.

If you want more info about keeping your rental property in check this winter, please get in contact with ChimneyPots on 01489 584298. Additionally, you can find out how much rent you could be charging in the current marketplace by checking out our free instant online valuation tool. 

http://chimneypotsestateagent.co.uk/how-to-keep-a-southampton-or-portsmouth-rental-property-in-check-this-winter/