Posted: Friday, November 16, 2018

Secret tips to sell and move in before Christmas

Buying a property can be complicated, and so getting it right is pivotal to speeding up the process. Whether you are a first-time buyer, or an experienced home owner, our Guild agents are here to help. We have collected our secret tips to help you sell and move in before the holidays.

 

1. Preparation

Preparation is always key when it comes to selling your home. Simon Davies from Norman F Brown said: “Make sure your photos are taken before Christmas decorations go up and be prepared to accept viewings. Don’t put off launching your home until spring as lots of properties are launched in the new year and it may get lost amongst other properties.

Statistically, most homes take on average 10-11 viewings to sell between January and November. In December, that drops to four or five viewings as the quality of the buyer increases. The busiest week of the year on the internet is Christmas time as the vast majority of people are off work.”

John Newhouse from Roseberry Newhouse said: “With an antiquated conveyancing system, having all your paperwork relating to your property prepared in advance will help speed the process up. Choosing a property with no onward chain will also significantly improve your chances of getting moved quickly.”

 

2. Is the price right?

It may seem obvious, but ensuring your property is priced correctly and competitively will save you a lot of time in the long run. It is often overlooked by many and is one of the primary reasons for a slow-moving property. Your agent will give you the best advice based on the market and current demand.

Steve Wayne from Benjamin Stevens Estate Agents said: “Listen to your agent. If you are being advised correctly, then it shouldn’t matter what time of year you are trying to sell. If your agent is working hard for you then there should be no ‘quiet periods’ in the housing market. Make sure your agent is marketing your property on all the online outlets as well as their own social media outlets. The idea is to catch a buyer before they start thinking about festive spending.”

 

3. Make sure agents have immediate access

When conducting viewings, it is imperative that your home is accessible for the agent to arrange these appointments. You never know who might want to view your home last minute, or when you are unavailable to the agent.

 

4. Present your property properly

Stephen Wayne from Benjamin Stevens Estate Agents said: “It may seem a tiny detail, but nothing puts off a potential buyer more than seeing little things that already need fixing, so make sure all the light bulbs work and your curtains are open if it’s during the day or lights are on during the late afternoon. If a buyer’s first impression is that the property is dark, then within 20 seconds the rest of the viewing is often pointless as this is the lasting impression they have.

To ensure you’re in your new home by the end of the year, have a good de-clutter. Clear out any stuff you’re not proposing to take with you when you move. Remove anything hanging on or placed behind doors. If a door can’t be opened fully, it gives the illusion that the room is smaller.”

 

5. Have an efficient solicitor

The more efficient your solicitor is, the quicker you can get things moving. There’s nothing worse than waiting weeks for paperwork, or lack of communication. You could save a lot of time once an offer has been accepted if you are organised.

Aimee Fancourt from Wooster & Stock said: “Instruct a solicitor and provide all the necessary identification and initial paperwork. This way your solicitor can prepare the contract pack in advance and it will be ready to send over to your buyer’s solicitors once you go under offer. This could potentially speed up the process by two weeks.”

Jonathan Keegan from Bryan & Keegan said: “Have quotes ready and  your questionnaire forms filled out in plenty of time. From experience, it is money well spent using an established solicitor rather than looking to save a few hundred pounds.”

 

6. Sort out your mortgage provider

 

Your estate agent can put you in touch with the right mortgage provider, or you can do the research yourself to find the best for you. Your mortgage provider will talk you through the steps of getting a loan and calculating how much you can afford for your property. 

 

Are you looking to sell your home? Contact your local Guild Member for help through the moving process.

 

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I can't speak more highly of the team at Homesearch. When I met Michael to discuss the sale of my home instantly from that meeting, I could tell how knowledgeable they were. From that moment until closing, everything went absolutely flawless. This experience of selling went without a hitch with them giving great tips on preparing my home for viewings. Thank you. I really appreciate all your help during this process. I highly recommend Homesearch to any person who is looking to sell their home or buy a new home.

Loretta Barrett, Seller

I started with two very well known real estates, but I hated it. I was simply another number to them and I didn't feel they were honest and transparent. With HomeSearch I felt comfortable that they were on my side and they were always available to help. The process is hard enough, so having a team who supports you can make such a difference. Highly recommend.

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The reason we chose Homesearch to sell our property was that we liked the straightforward, no-nonsense approach of both Anna and Michael. They gave an honest appraisal of our property and a clear idea of what we could expect to sell it for. In fact, the offer we accepted exceeded our expectations. The sale took longer than we would have liked, due to delays caused by the buyers' solicitor, but Michael was tenacious and must have worn his phone out keeping everyone informed of progress.

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Homesearch are hands down the best agent I have ever worked with ! The team helped me in an extremely complex sale. Without the knowledge and experience of the whole team, my sale would not have completed. I dont normally write reviews, only when they are truly deserved. An exceptional team! Very kind and personable, reliable & trustworthy.

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My experience with Homesearch is that they are professional, friendly and go above and beyond to ensure that something stressful like selling a house runs as smoothly and stress free as possible. They work hard to get the results and have kept me updated throughout the process. I honestly could not recommend them enough, they are easily the best company I’ve dealt with in the buying/selling houses field. And to top it all off, they always answer the phone in the most pleasant tone and always provide service with a smile.

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I have been absolutely delighted with the exceptional service I have received from Homesearch. They have removed all the stress & hassle of renting my property and dealt with all manner of situations I would have struggled with in such a professional & courteous manner. They give valuable unbiased advice with such a wealth of experience. Nothing is ever too much trouble for the staff, who are always friendly & helpful. Homesearch let and managed my property and I am very happy with their property management services, they are very knowledgeable.

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From our first viewing right through to the present, Home Search were brilliant. They helped make the whole process quick and stress free and even now we are in and settled, they are still happy to assist us with any queries we may have. We couldn't recommend them highly enough.

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