Selling Property
If you are thinking of selling a property in harrow, it is commonly known that vendors tend to scour the areas where they want to buy, and visit agents based nearby. Don’t feel obliged to sell through the same agent you’re buying from.
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TIPS ON SELLING PROPERTY IN HARROW
Your Agent
Collect assessments from several agents of the value of your property. Don’t forget that being open-minded about their comments and taking it objectively even if it feels critical is the key.
Cheapest is not always best. Select an agent who will best advertise your property and sell ‘properly’ in every respect, even if it means paying a little more.
Agents associated with professional bodies such as those listed below should be your first choice.
- The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA)
- The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
- Ombudsman Estate Agency (OEA)
If you make the choice to use an agent who is self-empoyed, be sure to read all of the small print. Using more than one agent amplifies the opportunity to sell your property more swiftly although it may cost more as well.
Delineate anything you want included in the sale.
Make sure your agent understands the lowest price you will take from a buyer.
The Property
Cast a fresh and critical eye over your home, inside and out. Determine what can realistically be improved quickly.
First impressions are key and the first thing your buyer views will be the outside of your home. Gardens should be clean and neat, not dry or overrun with weeds. Outside lights should be in working order, door handles and other fixtures should be secure.
Inside the home should be clean and uncluttered, allowing the buyer to picture their self in the space. Now is the time to finish any uncompleted DIY projects, repaint and make each space look bigger. In addition to de-cluttering the space for the viewings, the more items you discard or pack away, the fewer you may have to pack as you leave.
Viewing
For a successful viewing the property must be tidy and ready to be seen. Be realistic and set viewing times when you will be able to show the property at its best with clean kitchens and bathrooms and trimmed lawns.
Engage in some minor staging. Add to a pleasant atmosphere by adding delicious fragrances with flowers or candles and keeping electronics turned off. In cold weather ensure the temperature inside the home is comfortable and light a fire for an extra touch. Keep a breeze going in summer with open windows.
Do your homework and be prepared for questions about your home, your town, and your neighbours.
Be sure to let potential buyers know why you’re moving, and don’t forget to spell out your time line as well as your level of flexibility.
Leave it to the professionals. Let your agent handle serious negotiations.
Selling Your Home
Below is a list of local property agents and contact information for each one. E-mail a request to be contacted for negotiations about the option of using their services to sell your property.
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
Check for a local presence:
- look out for boards, preferably reading ’sold’ and not ‘for sale’
- look in local papers
- personal recommendations are invaluable
Anyone can give a high valuation figure, but actually obtaining it is another matter. Ascertain if the figure is a result of experience and knowledge of the area, or whether you’re being told what you want to hear. If you’re unsure, ask to see comparisons of previous sales in the area that have been passed by a mortgage surveyor.
Negotiating a low fee with an agent may prove to be a false economy, because it won’t necessarily generate the high levels of enthusiasm needed to get the best result. Remember, estate agents work for money, so why not create an incentive to benefit both parties? A full asking price deserves a full fee but you might want to agree a downward sliding scale if offers fall below it.
Be careful when authorising an agent. Read the contract small print carefully, as you may find yourself signed up and legally bound for a long period of time. If this is the case, in the event of poor service, you will not be able to go elsewhere, unless of course you’re prepared to fork out two fees. If you’re not, insist on a time period of your choice. Month to month or even week to week if you can get away with it!
You want to get as many people as possible to know that your property is on the market. This could mean using internet estate agents or at least more than one agent. If you decide to use multiple agents, check the small print on their contracts. They may insist on ’sole agency’, which means that even if you sell your home privately or through another agent, you’ll still be charged a commission fee.
