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.
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