Birmingham House Price Survey

9th May 2008

How To Sell A House

The dos and don'ts of selling your house

[photo: Birmingham residential property]

In the present housing climate, it's more crucial than ever to formulate a sound strategy when selling your home. Leaving it to just the estate agent, no matter how wonderful they may be, is not an option. So what efforts should you make to tip the scales in your favour?

Consider whether the garden gate needs any repair, if the grass is knee-high or whether the outside walls could benefit from some paint. The view from the street is what any possible buyer will notice first.

It's essential to clean the house. Dust and grime that might be virtually invisible to you will glare at your visitors, all of whom will take away a first impression based on appearances. Regularly manage the general cleaning and tidying so that when a viewing is arranged, only a small amount of effort is needed. The classics of presentation still apply. Fresh flowers, scented candles or other aromas such as fresh coffee, vanilla or cinnamon could make the difference. Attend to any minor faults, from a leaking tap to a light bulb that needs changing. Aim to impress the viewers.

Offer a handful of estate agents to assess your house's value and let them bid to sell it for you. The range of quotes given by the agents can be interesting in themselves. Discover which of the agents has the most experience in trying to sell homes like yours, and what their rate of success is.

Try not to let your pets get too friendly with any viewers; perhaps even shut them in the garden or a utility room. Be ready to answer any questions on topics such as council tax, and give prospective buyers the freedom to look everywhere. Buying a house is fraught enough without a vendor being cagey or impatient. Be ready to mention what items are included with the house, or better still, provide an inventory.

If your home is still on the market before you need to complete your end of the chain and relocate, or a reasonable period such as 3-6 months has gone by, consider making any necessary, large scale repairs that have been holding the property back, such as those noted in the surveyor's report, and be willing to lower your asking price or even refrain from moving on until the housing climate changes and your home is sought after once again.