Houses are major purchases. That means both sellers and buyers are highly motivated to get the best value they can in any transaction. With that in mind, here are some tips for sellers looking to get the best price when selling a house.
Be realistic about what the best price is
The best price for your house will depend partly on the overall state of the market. It will also depend partly on your position as a seller. In other words, how long can you afford to wait for a buyer who will pay top price?
The quicker you want to sell, the more pragmatic it can be to drop your asking price. You can, however, still work to make your home as attractive as possible to buyers. This will maximise your chances of achieving the asking price (or even higher).
Be prepared
No buyer wants to start the process of buying a home only to have the seller pull out of the sale. Do everything you can to reassure them that you are serious about moving. In particular, try to collate all the documents that will be required for the conveyancing process. Most buyers will very much appreciate sellers that actively help to make this go smoothly.
Understand what upgrades can add value to your home
In general, you want to avoid making any major changes to your home in the run-up to selling it. Firstly, a feature that appeals to you may not appeal to buyers. Secondly, even if it does, it may not appeal to them enough for you to recoup your money on it. Thirdly, if the work takes longer than expected, it may negatively impact the sales process.
By contrast, it can be very worthwhile looking at any upgrades that could potentially expand the usable area of your home. Then look at the best way to leverage this. For example, lack of parking is a common issue. Can you secure some kind of parking space that you can transfer?
If you can expand your home, could you secure the necessary planning permission before you put your home on the market? If your home could be better reconfigured internally, could you provide plans for this? These kinds of steps can help you to monetise the potential of your home without a high upfront investment.
Deal with any outstanding repairs and maintenance
Most buyers just want to move in and get settled. They may be happy to do their own decorating. They do not, however, want to deal with repairs and maintenance. Some buyers may even see outstanding repairs and maintenance as a red flag. Deal with them before you put your home on the market.
Declutter and deep clean
Clutter is a distraction for everyone. When you’re selling a home, it’s a distraction that can cost you money. You’re probably going to want to declutter before you move anyway, so why not start the process early?
If you need time to go through your belongings, try looking for a storage facility you can access easily. Move everything but essentials into it and then declutter from there. Make sure you can put everything else into some form of closed storage. Baskets with lids can be invaluable here. They’re particularly good as hiding places for children’s toys.
Once you’ve decluttered, give your home a top-to-bottom, wall-to-wall deep clean inside and outside. If you have a garden, put this in its absolute best condition too. You may be amazed at what a difference it makes to the desirability of your house.
Banish smells before viewings
Ignore the oft-repeated sales advice of scenting your home before buyers arrive. You have no idea how a buyer is going to react to a particular smell. In particular, avoid having fresh flowers at home. They may trigger allergies.
If you have pets, make sure that your home is entirely free of pet odours. It’s best to remove the pets themselves as well.
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