Getting the best possible price for your home

1

Choose your estate agent carefully

Choose an estate agent who has in-depth understanding and experience of the local property market and are well established in your area. Look to see how many properties they are marketing on Rightmove and On the Market that are in a similar price bracket to yours; and make sure they have a good display of sale boards in your local area. Don’t necessarily instruct the agent who gives you the highest valuation as this can often be a tactic used to win the instruction. At the end of the day, you need to choose someone who you get along with and who has your best interests at heart.

2

Good property photography gets you more viewings

To help your home really stand out to potential buyers, it’s important to spend some time cleaning, tidying, and decluttering before we come round to take photographs.

3

Give your home some ‘kerb appeal’

Take a good look at the front of the house and think about what you can do to make it look as smart as possible. If the outside looks neglected or untidy people may assume that the inside is the same.

For example, does the front door need painting? Is the front garden free from weeds, does your lawn need mowing or the hedge need trimming? Does your driveway need jet washing? Perhaps a hanging basket would add to the appeal?

4

Leave negotiations to the agent

If you do choose to carry out your own viewings, don’t let yourself be drawn into a conversation about price or what you may or may not accept as an offer. Refer them back to your agent who will carry out negotiations on your behalf and secure the best possible price for your home.

5Choosing the right buyer

The person who offers the highest price is not necessarily the best choice. Your estate agent should advise you about what position the prospective purchasers are in, i.e., how quickly they can proceed with a sale and their financial position. This will help you to decide which offer to accept. For example you may be offered slightly less money for a cash sale as opposed to the full asking price from someone who hasn’t even got their house on the market yet.