4 Tips for Selling Your Home in Uncertain Times
Selling a property in an uncertain market poses additional challenges that aren’t present in buoyant ones. Nevertheless, don’t get put off if you’re considering selling up and moving to another place. There are steps you can take before approaching an estate agent to help them to better represent you. Here are 4 tips for selling your home in uncertain times.
1. Imagine What a Prospective Buyer Wants to See
When the estate agent won’t be using virtual staging to create a different internal appearance than what currently exists, it’s all on you.
Imagine what a prospective buyer will be looking to see. Understand that most potential buyers aren’t very imaginative when it comes to staging. As such, it’s necessary to either create a home visual that is instantly warming and attractive or clear away clutter to allow a buyer to virtually transport themselves into the new environment. The more you can help in this regard, the better.
If you’re struggling to create an attractive visual for prospective buyers, then an estate agent like Marlborough Homes can be of assistance. Visit their site at mbhomes.co.uk.
2. Know Your Price and Your Need to Sell
In difficult markets, the property doesn’t move as fast. There’s often a downward pressure against listing prices with people only willing to submit below asking price offers. Also, offers arrive more slowly, so homes require more time to sell.
Depending on how competitive the property pricing is, and your willingness to accept a discounted final offer, it may require less (or more) time to finalise a deal. Homebuyers can check how long a property has been on the market, and some may submit a cheeky offer.
With low-ball submissions, you need to know the minimum acceptable price, so you don’t feel pressured to accept the offer. There are bottom feeders in every market; don’t let them take advantage of you.
3. Fix Up Any Issues to Avoid Needing to Disclose Them
Wall cracks usually signify foundation movement but don’t necessarily mean structural damage. In other words, a foundation can move slightly and cause a wall crack, but that doesn’t mean any structural damage requires foundation repair. A wall crack caused by structural damage is usually larger. It will need to be evaluated by an experienced foundation repair professional who can then fix the problem that caused the wall crack.
Homes with foundation issues often take longer to sell, as buyers may be hesitant to take on the repair costs or may require additional inspections. Foundation repair before selling is important for both the seller and the buyer. It can help increase the home’s value, avoid costly repairs, provide peace of mind, and facilitate a smoother and faster transaction.
In slow markets, the last thing you need is to attach extra disclosures to alert the potential buyer to what’s not been completed. Whether that’s a home improvement that started well but never got finished, a leaking tap in the bathroom, loose tiles, or a squeaky floorboard – it will make your home harder to market. Also, it will give people a reason to discount their offer while specifically citing those problems.
Put time into home improvements to fix up nagging issues, so they won’t need disclosing in the property listing.
4. An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is Required Now
Before you list your home, it’s best to request the Domestic Energy Assessor to check the property to provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The EPC is necessary before any property can go on the market in the UK. While some people wait for the estate agent to organise it, you can speed things up by getting it sorted a little before instructing them.
By taking care of a few things before approaching an estate agent, you make their life easier. In turn, they’re better able to sell your home.
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