Selling a home is not always easy unless you are lucky enough to be living in an area where buyers outnumber sellers 10:1. In most cases, it takes on average around three months to get an offer on a property, and during that time, you will have to deal with an endless procession of interested buyers. Creating the right impression during this crucial selling period is very important. If you get it wrong, you could put off potential buyers.
There are many ways to sell a property. If you need to release equity quickly, look at an agency such as propertycashbuyers, who will buy your property for cash. Alternatively, if you have more time, engage the services of a high street real estate agent who will market it the traditional way, but if you go down this route, you will need to create the right impression when people come to view. So, what is the best way to do this?
Tidy Up
Sounds obvious, but there are plenty of sellers who don’t think tidying up is all that important when actually, it really is. If a buyer can imagine living in your home, they are much more likely to be interested enough to book a second viewing or put an offer in. Cluttered rooms make it hard for a buyer to picture their furniture in there, so de-clutter your home and try to create a calm, tranquil space.
Remove the Pets
It is always a good idea to keep pets out of the way when showing buyers around. Not everyone likes cats and dogs, so the sight of a large dog slavering over the carpet or a cat scratching the walls will put them off. If you can’t remove your pets entirely, at least lock them away in a side room until you are certain your buyers are not allergic or terrified. You also need to remove all traces of pet odor, so empty litter trays and clean up thoroughly.
Be Friendly and Welcoming
Greet your buyers with a warm, welcoming smile – even if you are selling the property under duress. Invite them in, offer to give them a guided tour that includes everything, even the cupboards and loft space if they are interested.
Once you have done your guided tour, leave your buyers alone to have a wander around at their own pace. This allows them to check out things they think warrant a second look, without you peering over their shoulder.
Be Ready to Answer Questions
An interested buyer will want to know more about the house and local area. They might be keen to find out about schools, shops and public transport, so be ready to volunteer information when asked. If you don’t have a clue about local schools, find out.
Lastly, don’t be in a rush to push your buyers out the door. Some buyers need more time than others to digest what they are seeing, so be patient and offer them a drink if you think they may be there a while.
If you do everything right, hopefully you will have an offer on your home very soon!
