The prospect of moving home is often exciting and occasionally daunting. There is so much to do that the thought of having to go through the sales pro
The prospect of moving home is often exciting and occasionally daunting. There is so much to do that the thought of having to go through the sales process can even put some people off moving at all.
However, the rewards you’ll get when you walk through the door to start a new chapter of your life outweigh the short-term hurdles you have to overcome.
The good news is that there are steps you can take that help to make the process so much easier and stress-free. By following these five tips you can ensure you don’t waste any more time, energy, or money on your next home move than you need to.
Start packing early
One of the most time-consuming and daunting tasks when moving house is having to pack everything up. Yet, there are a couple of options that could make your life a whole lot easier.
One avenue you could go down is to outsource your packing to your chosen removal firm. This means it’s one less thing for you to sort but it can be expensive and you can never be sure if they’ll take the same care with your valuables as you would have done yourself.
An alternative is to do it yourself but start early. Very early. We are suggesting you start packing before your house is even on the market. This gives you a few benefits. Firstly, it will de-clutter your home, making it look better in photos and for viewings. Secondly, it will make your job a whole lot easier when you come to need to pack what’s left. You can store any packed boxes in the loft, garage, or at a secure storage facility.
Check out your competition
Many people simply look at themselves and their own property when putting up the for sale board. However, savvy sellers realise that buyers think differently.
Every potential buyer will be scouring the local market comparing properties until they find the right one for them. That means you are in competition with other similar properties nearby.
So, head on over to the likes of Rightmove and Zoopla and see what else is for sale near you. Check out the asking price, what work they have had done, what kind of décor they have, and how long they have been on the market.
Then, simply try and make your house a better purchase than every other one on your street. Of course, that can be a subjective thing but simply knowing where your properties strengths and weaknesses lie compared to surrounding properties could give you that edge you need.
Get those odd jobs done
If you were choosing between two properties that were equal in every way apart from one had a few small odd jobs that needed to be done, which would you choose?
Almost certainly you would go for the one that doesn’t need work done. Not only does it make your life easier, but it also suggests the owner has taken more care with the property.
Don’t let a few creaking doors or dripping taps be the thing that makes potential buyers go elsewhere. Spending an hour or two fixing these issues before your home goes on the market could make the difference between a quick sale and playing the waiting game.
Scout the market for your next property
In all likelihood, you’ll be looking to move to a new place once you have found a buyer for your home. In that case, it makes sense to start looking for your next property before yours has even hit the market.
Why? Well, there are a few reasons.
For one, it means you’ll know what kind of offer you’ll need to get to be able to afford the kind of property you want to move to. Secondly, it will mean it’s easier for you to move quickly as and when you accept an offer on your property.
Appoint a good estate agent
Finally, the one last thing to do before your property goes on the market, find yourself a good estate agent.
You’ll want to get multiple valuations done so you can sure you’re putting your house on the market at a fair price. You’ll want to check exactly what the agent is giving you for your money and what their track record is in your area.
Be sure to check online estate agent reviews before opting to go the digital route as the service levels of internet-only agents can vary dramatically.
Once you’ve made your choice and you have followed the other tips in this article you can go ahead and get your property on the market knowing you have done what you can to minimise problems with your move.
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