Selling Tips

If you are selling an existing home you will need to make it as attractive as possible to potential buyers. This may sound obvious, but many people do not realise how their home is presented to strangers seeing it for the first time. Follow the tips below to give yourself the best chance of finding a buyer quickly.

w	Get the house builder to Part-Exchange. This will save you all the trouble and expense of selling your current home yourself. However, some builders offset this benefit against other incentives or discounts that may be available.

Ensure that your property is on the market in the Spring in time for the Easter and May Bank Holidays. You will have the best chance of selling at this time. The weather is better, people have additional free time to view and it is before the traditional summer holiday season. People do not generally want to view homes during the dark cold winter months.

Decide what fixtures and fittings you are going to sell with the house. Include some at an additional cost; these can then be given as part of the deal during negotiations. Most people do not want to take carpets with them so always include these with the sale. You will not want to be taking up and dumping old carpets on moving day.

Ensure the gardens are tidy and attractive. You can apply a lawn fertiliser to ensure your lawn is green and healthy. Cut the lawns (especially at the front) before each viewing if possible. Clear any tools, toys, swings, slides or bikes away. Make your garden look bigger by pruning shrubs and trees and cutting back hedges. Ensure paths are clean and free of algae and weeds. Remove washing from the washing line prior to a viewing.

w	Pay particular attention to your front door. Clean or re paint it if necessary and polish any brass fittings. If your front door looks in pristine condition, your buyer will think the whole house is. Consider adding some planted tubs. Make sure your door bell works!

w	Clear your home of clutter. Remove papers, magazines and laundry. Empty any bins and put them away.

w	Make sure your house is clean and tidy at all times. Pay particular attention to bathrooms, toilets and the kitchen. Do not leave washing up in the sink or on the draining board. Ensure the windows are spotless for each viewing, especially patio doors or picture windows.

w	Keep any pets you have out of sight. Remove their bedding and feeding bowls. Non pet owners may be put off with concerns about fleas and possible pet smells - even if there aren�t any.

w	Make sure your home is warm but not hot.

w	Open the windows to air your house regularly and for at least half an hour before a viewing. Do not use air fresheners. It is advisable to close the windows before the viewing to reduce any outside noise.

w	Keep furniture to a minimum and position it at the edges of the room to give the impression of space.

w	Put fresh flowers in the principal rooms and in the main bedroom.

w	Leave the internal doors open as this will give a greater impression of space and let extra light into hall and landing areas. You can close doors after the room has been viewed to avoid the buyer becoming distracted.

w	Keep children under control!

w	Offer your prospective purchasers a cup of tea or coffee. If you can, find out if they have sold their property and whether they have a mortgage arranged. This will show you how serious they are. The professionals call this �Qualifying�.

w	Start the viewing upstairs, in the least attractive room. Invite the buyer into each room but do not enter the rooms unless asked to. This will help make the room appear much bigger and you will not crowd the prospective purchaser.

w	It is advisable the end a viewing in the kitchen or lounge, these are normally the most attractive rooms and will be the lasting impression taken away.

w	Do not offer information on the property. Let people look for themselves, but do answer any questions truthfully and feel free to mention any unique selling points such as views, or clever storage space for example.