We’ve seen the number of properties on our books decrease since the end of the stamp duty holiday. This has led to rising demand and with prices predicted to increase by 3.5% next year, now is the time to make your move.
Even if you’re not planning to sell your property as soon as the calendar clicks over to 2022, we recommend getting a head start. So we asked our team of experts for their top tips on preparing to sell to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Check your mortgage situation
Most mortgages are portable to another property and you can opt for additional borrowing if you need the extra funds. If you’re in a fixed deal or your deal isn’t transferable then you are likely to face early repayment charges which can make moving expensive. Mortgage specialists, Caroline, Vicky & Lyn can check your current deal, if any fees are liable and also advise how much extra you could borrow if applicable.
Start baking your cookies
Have you ever heard the advice of baking cookies because it makes your house smell like home? We’re not saying that this is a step you have to take, but Stuart, our expert photographer, highlights some key aspects so you can make the best first impression before listing your home.
- Decorate - a fresh lick of paint to high traffic areas or a switch to a neutral colour scheme will make all the difference to the saleability of your home and make your property move in ready.
- Declutter - moving house is a great opportunity for a good sort out. Not only will this allow you to present and style your home (think glossy interior magazine) but will reduce the amount of moving boxes you need!
- Depersonalise - buyers will often fall in love with your house if they can imagine living there. Make it easy to tidy away personal items for your photoshoot and for viewings.
- Don’t forget your outside space - an unmown lawn, unruly hedge or a broken gate can be a real turn off for a buyer, so take an objective look at your kerb appeal.
- Decide what type of cookies you want to bake, we hear Stuart is an expert taste-tester!
Do your own research
How much you think your property is worth and the valuation from an estate agent can vary, so a little research on current house prices will help to manage your expectations. We offer a free, instant valuation on our website and there are a number of online tools to enable you to look up property prices down to your street level, so you can see what valuation to expect. You can also look at areas you want to move to and determine what extra funds you need to fulfil that dream.
Get your property valued
There are a number of different ways to sell your property using local and online estate agents. All will determine the value of your property from similar ones sold in the local area before visiting your property to finalise your anticipated sale price.
Over the last year Poole Townsend have sold 25%* of the properties in the South Lakes and Furness regions achieving the selling price on over 95% of our sales. Our valuers, Brad, Claire & Craig, have an informed overview of our local housing market and will therefore ensure we set a realistic price for your property. Should you then decide to go ahead, you can then choose from our sales only or all inclusive package and leave the rest to us.
Instruct a conveyancer
Lining up a conveyancer before you put your home on the market can really speed up the process. Poole Townsend have their own conveyancing team so the legal side of selling your property will be stress free as your property moves seamlessly from the property to our legal team.
Advertise your property
Most local estate agents use listings on their own website, external platforms such as Rightmove and social media to promote your property. You can boost the range of their advertising to potential buyers by sharing on your own social platforms.
At Poole Townsend our property teams in our 5 offices throughout the region also reach out to potential buyers through weekly emails and updates to ensure the maximum exposure for your property.
Following our top tips will ensure you’re ready to start your search for your new home. Head over to our website and see our current properties for sale.
*Rightmove sales agreed between 13/01/21 and 12/12/21
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