Are You Looking to Sell Your West Sussex or Surrey Property?

Here are my top tips to help.

Check the local property market

Compare recently sold homes in your area that are similar to yours. By comparing the sale price of similar properties in the local area, you can get a sense of the price range home buyers might pay for your home.

Obviously, a lot of homes are unique and what your property offers could be completely different to other properties considered similar to yours. So it is important to take this research for what it is, a guide. You can then use this knowledge when speaking to local estate agents within your area.

Speak to a number of estate agents

If you are looking to put your home on the market, you’re probably going to need the help of a local estate agent. However, before you go for any old estate agent, here are some tips to help you choose the right estate agent for you and your property.

Are they local?

Every market is different. Whether you’re buying in a city, the suburbs, or the country, you’ll want an estate agent who knows local market trends and patterns like the back of their hand. But not only do you want them to be knowledgeable of your local property market, you also want them to know the community too. After all, they aren’t just selling your home, they are selling the lifestyle of living on the street and in that part of the community.

Do they have reliable experience?

It’s important to ask a potential agent how long they’ve been buying and selling homes, but don’t forget to dig a little bit deeper into their experience. Ask about their average list-price-to-sale-price ratio, as well as the amount of time it typically takes their clients to find and close on their new home. You’ll want to choose an estate agent who has a proven track record of getting buyers into homes fast (and getting them a great deal, too).

Look for passion, conviction and honesty.

Look at the agent’s work. The easiest and most valuable way is to review how they’re marketing other properties. Look at their listing materials, website, brochures and signage. Pay attention to their personal appearance. Look for passion, conviction and honesty. You want your agent to tell you what it’s going to take to get your home to sell faster and for the best price.

Look for strong core values.

Whether it’s business or pleasure, finding a good person all comes down to core values. Core values are important because you want to work with someone that plays by the same rules you do. For example, if you are an honest person who tells the truth, would you not want someone to tell the truth to you?

Pick an estate agent you trust

As the client, you begin the dialogue — but pay close attention to the agent and how he/she listens and asks YOU questions. Most successful agents have access to the technology it takes to make your property seen or to find options for purchase, but it takes a human being to understand and work to achieve your specific goals. Take time to find a human you respect and trust.

Is now a good time to sell?

The important thing to consider is your own motivations when deciding if the time is right to market your property. Your chosen estate agent will look to maximise any marketplace and ensure you secure the best possible prise available at that time. It may be tempting to look to time your arrival to the market but you must consider that others will do the same.

A typically busy time of year will mean lots of sellers come to the market and as such your competition for the best buyer will be greater. Whatever point in the economic cycle you come to the market, remember that your purchase should tie into your sale.

Is your property ready to sell?

Getting an expert’s opinion on the condition of your property and how to get it ready for sale is important, as it is likely to have an impact on the number and value of offers you receive. This is another reason why it is important to find an estate agent that your trust early on. They should act as your advisor throughout the entire process.

A good estate will give advice on how to attract more interest in your property, and to make it look as appealing as possible once buyers are viewing your home. This could involve redecorating in a more neutral colour scheme, completing any odd DIY jobs, and generally decluttering.

Determine the correct asking price for a quick sale

Setting the right price for your home has a huge impact on its performance on the market. Set it too low, and you miss out on a huge opportunity to make a profit. Set it too high, and you risk putting potential buyers off.

Unfortunately, there’s little room for mistakes. Changing the price of your house while it’s on the market can be risky. In a worst-case scenario, it can have an adverse effect on its performance. For example, reducing the price could prompt buyers to think your property has undisclosed problems, making them less likely to make an offer. This means setting the right price early is crucial to your success.

Other things to consider

How is the market performing?

Ask your agent about the state of the local market. If properties like yours are in demand, you can expect to receive multiple offers. In line with this expectation, you could set your property at a reasonable price (similar to competitors) and wait for the bids to climb. On the other hand, if the market is performing poorly, choosing a selling price in line with your competitors is unlikely to start a bidding war. There won’t be enough buyers to compete with one another. In this scenario, it would be better to set your price lower in order to attract a wider net of buyers.

Do you want to sell your house quickly?

If you want your property sold as soon as possible, you can ‘price your property to sell’. This means choosing a lower asking price. Properties with low asking prices are more likely to attract cash buyers, which will help with the speed of the transaction.

Can you afford to take your time selling?

If you’re not in a rush to sell your property, you could test the waters of the market to find the best asking price. You can either:

Start with a high price and slowly reduce until you get an offer

If you manage to get an offer from a buyer at a high price, congratulations. However, if you don’t succeed, slowly scale back your asking price until you start receiving offers. Remember, this tactic has its risks, as reductions will pose questions about your property’s integrity.

Start with a low price and start a bidding war

A lower asking price could instigate a bidding war between prospective buyers. This tactic has its merits, but it only really works if the local market currently favours properties like yours.

I hope this helps!

If you’re looking for help in selling your home, I cover Reigate, Redhill, Horley, Crawley and the surrounding areas.