Four ways you could be sabotaging the sale of your home in South East London

Whether we’re in an active market like we are now, or one that moves in a slower pace, there is still a percentage of homes…

Whether we’re in an active market like we are now, or one that moves in a slower pace, there is still a percentage of homes that can struggle to sell. On the surface, it can be hard to understand why, but as an experienced agent within {name of town} the reason is often pretty clear. Having a home that is sitting there with hardly any viewings can be soul destroying, especially when all the properties for sale around you seem to be flying off the shelf. Could you be unwillingly sabotaging the sale of your home?

1. Refusing to use any elbow grease

A home that has not been regularly maintained doesn’t make a good impression – in fact, it can make buyers nervous. Maybe you’ve decorated but the finish isn’t great; you could have a cupboard or two that isn’t in the best shape; or maybe your guttering is dripping as it’s not had autumn’s debris cleared away. When you view a property, you want to see a home that has been loved and cared for and any flaws can make buyers question what else could be wrong with it. Hiding behind the imperfections could be some major concerns – or perhaps not, but it is the perception buyers take away that matters.

Even if a potential buyer can overlook some of the required repairs, any offer will reflect the cost of any works they believe the property needs. We know you love your home, so show this to potential buyers by putting the elbow grease in at the start; when it comes to getting your home valued, you may have a nice surprise but, more importantly, you will find your home sells quicker as a result.

2. Living in dream land

Do you have a price in mind that you want for your property, regardless of what anyone says? Maybe you have renovated your home and the cost of these additions and finishes is informing the figure you want to achieve. Even in today’s market, there is always a ceiling price a buyer will be willing to pay for a property on a specific street or in a particular neighbourhood. Just because a similar house sold for X amount two streets down, doesn’t mean that your home will be valued at the same – it could be less, but it also could be higher.

To ensure your home sells quickly and doesn’t sit gathering dust in the estate agent’s window, you need to listen to the experts. As an estate agent working every day within South East London, we know the true value of your home right now and the price that will get it sold as quickly as possible. Yes, hearing the truth could be a bitter pill to swallow, but are you going to let pride get in the way of your move?

When we talk about a clean kitchen we don’t just mean literal cleanliness (and we know you will be cleaning vigorously before the shoot) but also a clean ‘look’. Worktops are fantastic places to store and house things, all those wonderful gadgets that we buy and rarely use, but by minimising what you keep on your worktop your kitchen will look so much cleaner and larger. Just leave a couple of decorative items, such as a bowl of lemons and a vase of flowers and find a place to hide the practical bits whilst your photoshoot is taking place.

3. Going it alone

You have many choices today in how you sell your home, whether that’s an estate agent such as ourselves or one that allows you to go it alone. Estate agents only put properties on Rightmove, right? And in this market where it feels like every home is selling, why pay more than a low fixed fee? Finding a buyer is not the same as selling your home; sadly, this is a mistake we see all too often when we are left to try and pick up the pieces after things go wrong.

Once a buyer is found, you then start the tricky part of the sale process, where the many players within the chain are guided through to completion together. Holding a chain together is a work of art; it takes lots of chasing, reassuring and constant communication, which is where a good estate agent is worth their weight in gold. If you don’t just want an offer but to actually sell your home, have a serious think about the risk you could be taking.

The same principle should be applied to the bathroom. We all have bottles, soaps and paraphernalia decorating our bathrooms, but does a buyer really need to know what shampoo you use? A bathroom that has been cleaned and cleared of lotions and potions is a lot more attractive than one where the bath has various items on display. Again, by clearing things away for the photoshoot you will make your bathroom look bigger and also give it more of a ‘sanctuary’ feel, a place where your buyer can see themselves relaxing in and enjoying.

4. Lingering around

Viewings are a time when buyers get to see if they can make your house their home, so having the sellers there can make them feel a little uncomfortable. Buyers want the freedom to view and comment, as well as ask questions without judgement, which they may not feel able to do when you are around. How can a buyer imagine living there when your presence is a constant reminder that this is your home. At (name of agency), one of our agents will always accompany potential buyers for a viewing, so use the time to go for a walk or even treat yourself to a meal somewhere; you never know, you could have fantastic news of an offer on your return.

Make it easy for yourself

We all know selling your home can be stressful. By putting the elbow grease in, listening to expert advice, using professionals and respecting a buyer’s need for space, you will not only make selling your home easier, you will help it to sell quick too!

If you would like more advice on selling your home in South East London, give our team a call today on 02088546732.