Selling property selling your home,tips advice guides on showing buyers your home
Preparing your property We all know that first impressions count and showing off your home is no exception. It is important to ensure your property is actually ready for viewings. See our selling tips here
Property presenatation is going to help sell your home.
Preparing to meet buyers.
Making a useful list of costs - Put yourself in the buyer's position and think about what questions they are likely to ask then compile a useful list of costs associated with running your house. In the UK council tax bills vary from property to property so having the costs at hand is really useful for buyers. Utilities bills, insurance, maintenance costs may also be useful information. You can use the list as an aide during the viewing and as a helpful piece of information to give to your prospective buyer when they leave.
Keep your property description details - Keep copies to hand of your property description details. Some buyers may have forgotten to bring them along. Be prepared to answer questions relating to what is written on your property details. Know how old your boiler is, how long ago that flat roof was replaced. If you’ve had electrical or plumbing work its good to know what was done, but remember don’t stretch the truth this may return and bite you when you least expect it.
Know the positive and negatives- Every house has positive and negative points, know them and be ready to expand about them
Your attitude - Treat each person who views your property as a potential buyer. You may have to negotiate with them at a later stage. Your aim will be to create a good working relationship you will need to be friendly but not too friendly, a detached informative attitude is ideal. This also helps give your buyer the feeling that you are not desperate to sell your house. It’s a fine line so be careful you don’t appear disinterested. Avoid putting any pressure on the buyer by asking them too many questions at this early stage. Hard sells do not work with major purchases like a property and will only serve to put your buyers off. Take your time and try to feel relaxed. If you feel rushed and tense so will your buyer. Good time management is essential before you allow in potential buyers.
Know your buyers details – Ensure you have the prospective buyer's details, and remember their names.
Security- Don't leave any valuables lying around, you don’t know how people may react to valuables that are left unattended. Knowledge that your valuables are cleared away will help you feel more relaxed letting potential buyers have a wander around. They may have unlawful intentions, simply take their details and set a time for them to come back for a proper viewing.
Your security features - recent surveys have shown that security measures are high on the agenda of potential buyers viewing your home. Read more
Keep it clean - Dirty houses do not sell. Everything looks better cleaned and organised. Drying your washing and piles of ironing are facts of life, but buyers want to see your property not your Y fronts. Personal items need also to be tidied away to save embarrassment. Dirty bathrooms are a big turn off, as the buyer is trying to visualise using your bathroom.
Keep it clear - Ensure you remove items that stop doors opening or hinder the path of your prospective buyers. The push chair in the hallway will only serve to make the hall feel smaller than it actually is.
Kitchens sell houses - Clean your kitchen and try and clear all the surfaces. Washing up or old food should be hanging around. Your buyer is thinking about using your stove, so clean it!
Smells in your house - Strong smells will put off your viewers. In fact they may not be able to concentrate on what they’re viewing because of strange smells. They are battling in their mind with the thought of how they will we get rid of that smell. A buyer that walks into a barrage of air fresheners may wonder what you’re trying to cover up, so be subtle, fresh air is good if the time of year allows. Faint aroma of coffee or pot pourri is a subtle way of making your home nose friendly.
In the Dogs house - Dogs may frighten buyers and also create their own distinctive smell best put themin the dog house or leave them with a friend.
Showing prospective buyers around - Ideally, welcome them in and take your buyers to each room yourself. It’s good to point out storage space, electrical sockets, types of windows and good views etc. and things that are your potential buyer may miss. Remember the list of positive and negatives. Be ready to point out all your positive points i.e. the property is not overlooked, only 5 minutes to the shops etc. Up front honesty about obvious property defects will help build your relationship with your buyer and may prevent them wasting your time. Give the prospective buyer(s) time and space and allow them a chance to look around themselves if they wish.
Explain What is Included with the House - You must state from the outset what you are including with the house. If you are taking the bedroom carpets but leaving the stair carpet or leaving each set of curtains let them know. By telling them now, you will save a lot of hassle in the future.
Gardens could clinch the deal - Overgrown gardens will put off your buyers, tidy them up and show them off.
Buyers who don’t know the area - If your buyers are not familiar with your area it’s great to give them information that they may find useful. Get to know travel times to major cities by road and public transport, distances to shops and shopping centers and local schools. These facts are great conversation pieces and will certainly help your buyer.
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