PROPERTY SPECIAL POLITICS
The Pro’s Insider Top Tips on Moving House Spring is the traditionally said to be the best time to sell your house but if that’s going to be you in 2021, then right now is the time to start thinking about it. January is the time when people start to browse for new property - Christmas is over, work’s in full swing, and this year there’s the glumness of lockdown to ward off with some online house shopping too. The property market is still open - there are a few extra hurdles, but it’s still entirely possible to move. If you’re a 2021 seller, then now might be an excellent time to get your house on the market to get ahead of the Spring competition. But it’s a big decision - and even when you know it’s the right time there’s often a feeling of overwhelm. What should you do first? Where to begin? What do you really need to do to the house? When do you do the legal stuff?
Fear not - we’ve rounded up a group of the most experienced local experts to help with their top insider tips on how to move house with as little stress as possible...
In an ideal world, where all your clients sold their homes your way, what would be your tip tips to ensure a quick and easy sale? The simple things you just wish every homeowner would do? 1. The experts were unanimous in their first tip: prepare, prepare, prepare. James McKillop, Head of Residential at Savills was very firm “First and foremost, prepare. Instruct a solicitor, prepare a draft contract pack and apply for searches, especially as they can take many weeks at present”. Susie Palin from Meyers agreed
“Appoint a solicitor early in the process so they can begin their work as soon as possible, and have all documentation associated with the house in a file ready to go including any planning permissions, building regulations, safety certificates (Gas and Electric) and make your estate agent aware of any boundary issues that might rear their head during the ‘searches
process’. 2. The second tip is the one we all know: Declutter! “Do take the time to make sure that everything is spic and span and that the house looks great from the outside as this is where the first impressions will be formed.” Says Sarah Cull, Associate Director at Strutt & Parker. George Sparks, Local Sales Expert for Dorset at PurpleBricks agreed “you aren’t on the market every day so it’s worth putting in some effort to ensure it’s presented at its best.” But don’t go mad says Richard Stubbart from Greenslade Taylor Hunt “To ensure any property is marketed to its full potential, we always ask clients to ensure the property is left in a presentable condition. This does not necessarily need to involve financial investment, but to make sure the decks are clear for first impressions.”
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