Top Selling & Buying Tips

SELLERS TIPS

If you’re thinking about selling your home, here are a few handy tips from us. 

Working with your Agent 

Once the agent has gathered all the information about your home, and your background experience of having lived there, this information can be used by us when we start marketing your home to like-minded buyers.

Be honest and frank with the agent as they need to be fully sure that you are 100% committed to moving. Otherwise, if you are unable to move for a set period of time, provide that information as soon as possible so that the agent may be able to regulate the pace of the sale.

It’s also important to trust the agent’s advice and knowledge as they have a significant handle on the local market. Doing proper valuation research on similar properties in the area is advisable. That is vital when settling on an asking price. And be practical as asking for an over-inflated price may really inhibit the speed of the sale.

Preparing for Sale

When you are looking to sell, put yourself in the shoes of the person who may be interested in buying your house. Ask yourself if you would be disappointed to see certain unfinished jobs around the house – loose floorboards, marked walls, loose hinges. The small details always matter. The house must always be in pristine shape before potential buyers view the property, both inside and outside. Because you want potential buyers to visualise themselves living in your house.

By law, you will need to commission a BER (energy performance certificate) for your property. Your estate agent can help you to organise this. You won’t be able to market the property without one, so get it sorted as soon as possible.

Make the viewing as easy as possible

As the estate agent shows the buyers around they will feel more comfortable if the owners are not in the property. The buyers will also be able to take their time imagining how your home could become their home. Try and work around viewings, even if it doesn’t always suit you. Remember, it has to suit them. Otherwise, they may move on to view another property.

If you are renting out that particular property, also make life as easy as possible for your tenants. Give them plenty notice about upcoming viewings. The easier you make life for them, the more accommodating they will be prior to the viewings, which will ensure the property is in better condition as the viewing takes place.

Make sure there are no pets around. If necessary, get the carpets and some of the furniture professionally cleaned. Avoid strong cooking smells and don’t smoke in the house in the run up to viewings. Open windows and place a few bunches of fresh flowers around the house to freshen things up. Something as minor as a nice aroma in the property demonstrates that you care about what the buyer thinks. If the feedback from the viewing is negative afterwards, pay attention to that feedback and make sure that issues are addressed before any further viewings take place.

BUYERS TIPS

Some handy tips for those about to buy a property

Good legal advice is paramount as you want a certain level of trust built up between both parties. Good financial advice is just as important as there are numerous mortgage deals out there. Alternatively, find a good mortgage broker – seek recommendations from friends, family and colleagues. Make sure you have a written ‘in principle’ mortgage offer from the start, as this can really speed things up once you have an offer accepted. It is also important to set a budget for the entire process and stick to it. All costs, ranging from stamp duty to solicitors fees, to cleaning services, can quickly mount up.

Do your research

Fully research the area you are interested in buying in. Think carefully about the things you need and the things you would like, such as good local schools, transport links, green spaces, shops etc. Research the types of properties that are available in your price range and be realistic about your expectations.

Think of the bigger picture

View the property three or four times and do so at different times of the day, so you get a real feel for what it is like. Also, take into account key services within the area, such as creches, schools, parks, walks, and how accessible those amenities are to your potential new property.

Making an offer

If you really love the property, try not to make very low offers that will no doubt be refused. You could end up offending and annoying the seller, which may make future negotiations that bit harder. If your offer is accepted, book a quantity surveyor to carry out a survey immediately. You want to make sure that the property, especially structural issues, are in the condition you expect them to be.