So you want to sell your house? There is a glut of advice available on the internet but trawling through and sorting the wheat from the chaff is both difficult and time consuming.
Most sources which prove useful are written buy agents themselves and the advice is balanced more toward the agent than the vendor.
The purpose of this article is to give balanced advice to allow you to follow the correct path through the process, rather than be guided in a certain direction.
The first step before you even begin selling is preparation.
Imagine looking at your house as a buyer will.
Deep clean everything, this has two purposes, it not only allows you to be able to have a quick surface clean prior to viewings but means you will be able see if anything needs to be updated, replaced or repaired.
Take the opportunity to repaint any damaged or brightly painted walls with light pastel colours which will make the rooms look larger and more airy.
Remove surplus furniture and clutter.
Go around the garden and remove weeds and clutter and tidy away.
Replace and paint any broken gates and fencing.
Have a look around the outside of the house and sort any problems you can see externally.
Once this is completed you are ready to start shortlisting estate agents.
Ask family and friends who they have used and if they would recommend them.
Look at the agents location for foot traffic and also consider how they would market your property in local newspapers, on the website and also on any property portals.
Let them know how quickly you are looking to sell so they can give you a price accordingly and find out what charges they have.
Do not sign up until you have spoken to all the agents on the shortlist and haggle to reduce charges, they want to sell your house and would rather do it for less than lose the business! When the time comes to show your home, make sure that you clean and tidy round.
Empty bins and clean toilets.
Use air freshener to remove bad odours.
People recommend baking bread or brew freshly ground coffee however this cliche is so often used buyers wonder what it is hiding.
Make sure there is space for the people viewing to park.
If you are showing them round be polite and give them a quick tour then ask them if they would like to look around themselves.
Give them space to chat between themselves but be available to answer any questions, be aware that you have a legal obligation to tell the truth.
If they want to make an offer and you are selling via an agent ask them to speak to the agent.
Offers will come and you need to balance them against the speed of sale you need and the minimum you will accept.
If you are in no rush to move you don't need to accept a very low offer if it the first you get, you also need to decide on the minimum you will accept.
Once you have accepted and offer you need to get ready to move.
You will need to engage a solicitor for both the sale of your house and the purchase of a new one.
Ensure you have the mortgage in place and that you are available for any survey to be done.
Agree the fixtures, fittings and contents which are included in the sale and prepare details of providers of utilities, telephone etc.
Engage a removal firm and get quotations.
Get yourself ready for the big day.
Once you know when you moving confirm it with the removal company.
Arrange what will happen with the children and pets and make sure you arrange time off work.
Hopefully this guide will help you with a smooth move.
Best of luck in your new home.