Debbie
Fortune of award winning firm, Debbie Fortune Estate Agents gives some tips to
sellers of second hand homes.
‘ I prefer
to call them PRELOVED!, ‘says Debbie , ‘they are always unique and have usually
been personalised , created and much loved by their owners.’
‘However
...there is stiff competition out there and you only have to drive around our
area to see numerous high profile developments giving the local housing market
a run for its money and tempting local buyers with special offers and part
exchange deals , and when talking to my clients, an increasing number are
worrying that their homes just can’t compete with those on new developments,
which have sparkling new kitchens and bathrooms, a high energy performance ,
and a stylish beautifully furnished show home to tempt you.’
‘Make no
mistake , ‘ says Debbie, ‘ those developers simply HAVE to sell their units, by
a certain date and for a certain price...so they will use ALL the tools at
their disposal to achieve those sales and make a handsome profit...and they are
very good at doing just that !
So what do
you need to do to make your home as attractive as possible to those buyers
looking to buy something in the area?
Here are
Debbies ten top tips to achieve a sale and compete with the big developers.
- Price
your house sensibly, taking advice from an established successful local
estate agent.
- Declutter
and get rid of any rubbish and stuff you don’t need.
- Paint
or clean your front door...you never get a second chance to make a first
impression, the same applies to your reception hall.
- Clean
your home from top to bottom. Make it smell lovely!
- Tidy
your front garden , plant up pots , even in winter. This is called kerb
appeal.
- Think
of the use for each room and stage it as such...rearranging furniture if
necessary.
- Keep
pets out of the way and avoid any nasty surprises in the garden.
- Make
sure the heating is on for viewings...I guarantee you’ll never go into a
cold show home!
- Look
at your EPC. Would a simple change to low energy bulbs throughout your
home improve its rating ?
- LASTLY
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY Choose the right estate agent and get to know them.
Nothing beats a committed experienced team who will go out of their way to
help you. Put up your chosen agents ‘ For Sale’ board...you may hate them
but they work and developers love them...the bigger the better.
Debbie
concludes , ‘ Remember all the positive things that make your home stand out.
For example...a lot of older property has its own individual character ,
unusual features , a larger plot and a mature well stocked garden with the
addition of garden buildings like summer houses, garden sheds and greenhouses
plus garden features like patios, raised beds , pergolas and seating areas.’
'When you
add up the cost of a trip to the garden centre , you suddenly realise just how much
value things like this add to a house... and that’s before you take a trip to
the DIY centre for curtain rails, curtains, light fittings ...and so the list
goes on!’
‘So’ ,
says Debbie , ‘ you CAN compete by following a few tips that could make the
difference between finding a buyer or watching in dismay as they move in to
that new home down the road’
For any more advice
about any aspect of selling your home , Please contact us at any of our offices in Backwell, Congresbury and Chew Magna.