Confused.com’s 8 Ways to a Quick Home Sale

• Top Tips
• Published: 19 Feb 2009 in Household and Home Insurance

How to sell your home with ease and grace 

There’s a lot of information available for first-time house buyers. But what if the shoe’s on the other foot and you’re selling a property for the very first time? 

Valuations, mortgages, chains, HIPS – it’s a stressful time, made worse by the shaky housing market. And if you’re looking for a quick sale to move into that dream home or are downsizing for financial reasons, it can be even more essential you attract a buyer quickly. 

There are simple solutions to bag that sale. From selecting the right estate agent to tidying the garden and touching up paintwork, it’s worth putting in the work and spending a bit of cash to prepare. Before you get stuck in to the DIY, however, check your home insurance policy covers any DIY disasters. 

And to help on the path to success, Confused.com has come up with eight easy ways to help make that sale… 

1.   Be realistic - ask for the right price  

Always ask the opinion of two or three estate agents. First time sellers often make the mistake of choosing the highest valuation. But if you set the price too high, especially in the current climate, you’re unlikely to get viewings, let alone a sale. And the more time that passes, the more it will give the impression your house isn’t sellable. 

2. Don’t be afraid - challenge the valuation 

Compare estate agents’ estimations with online resources such as The Land Registry and Right Move. And if there are any discrepancies about your house’s price, ask the estate agent how they came to their valuation. 

3. Secure the sale – find the best estate agent 

A good estate agent has excellent knowledge of the local area and a proven track record. Ask friends or family living nearby if they can recommend any. Alternatively, revisit the estate agent that sold the property to you in the first place. 

To attract prospective buyers, a good agent will provide quality photos, floor plans and a list of points that best sum up your property. Be prepared to pay anything between one and three per cent of the agreed sale price for their services. 

Another option is to sell your home online. There are now loads of online estate agents who you can register your property with. Selling in this way is like placing a photo of your home in the largest shop window in the world – the internet.  

4. Clean up your act – first impressions count 

It doesn’t take long to tidy the front of your home – whether that means de-cluttering the driveway, trimming the lawn or just sprucing up a window box. But just taking the time could make all the difference for a potential sale. Some estate agents call it “kerb appeal”, where buyers drive by houses to decide whether or not they want to take a look inside.  

Once you attract the potential buyer through the doors, it’s also important to make a good first impression on the inside. People need to visualise living in your home, so put yourself in their position. Is the house clean and tidy? Are you making best use of space? Is it light, airy and fresh? Does it smell? Having coffee brewing during a viewing is one of the oldest tricks in the book to giving your home a warm, relaxing and comforting aroma.  

5. Ditch the junk – have a good de-clutter 

Many first-time sellers have accumulated lots of clutter. What better time to have a good clear out - not only will you be free of unwanted junk, you’ll also have less stuff to lug over to a new property, too. You could even make a few bob at the local car boot or via eBay. 

6. Home improvements – touch ups add value 

A lot of buyers stretch to their financial limits to bag their first home. So bear in mind they may have no money for home improvements once they move in – whatever state your home’s in.  

That’s why it’s a good idea to touch up any paintwork or fix any wonky cupboards. And, should your budget allow, consider cost-effective investments that could improve the value and saleability of the house, such as a ground floor toilet or extra bedroom. If you don’t have the money to hand for this, you may want to consider a loan. 

7. Let it go – say goodbye to emotional ties 

As soon as you decide to sell your house, it becomes a financial asset not your “home”. So remove any emotional attachments from the sale. Remember, people need to be able to visualise living there, so take a step back, put yourself in the position of a buyer and look objectively at your house, both its interior and exterior. That way, you’re more likely to get that sale. 

8. And relax… 

Once the ‘sold’ sign’s standing outside, the contract is signed and the keys are handed over to the new owner, it’s time to breathe a welcome sigh of relief. That is, until you realise you have to physically move into your new home. In anticipation of that stressful time, you’ll probably want to take a look at: Stay Organised to Make Your Home Move as Stress-Free as Possible.