messiah

We've decided its time to move on, the house is going up for sale and the valuer from an estate agent is coming round on Friday.

What are the best things I can do between now and then?

Main priority at the moment (we think) is kerb appeal, so the garden beens getting an overhaul.

Any suggestions from past experience?

TIA

Spoon

You need to be in when he/she calls on Friday.

DCI Gene Hunt

Put your old pants in the laundry bin/basket?

Remove all clutter from the hallway/entrance?

And don't forget you are trying to sell not just your house but your lifestyle....

The Snug Rhino

nothing, unless your house is a complete mess then nothing will alter the valuation much........and if he says its X and you think thats low ask if tidy some of your **** away will help - if he says yes then tidy up and advertise for more than he says.

when the BUYERS come round thats a whole new story.

MJW

Yep, as mentioned above having the valuation done and buyers coming round are totally different.
When you have buyers viewing you need to try and de-personalise the house so potential buyers can picture their own stuff in it. Well at least that's what they say on House Doctor anyway ! Good luck.

lightning101

Unless its a victorian or edwardian townhouse or country estate, then start by painting every wall in magnolia paint, then lift all carpets and get them refitted in a nice cream/beige/gold colour. Nice new clean looking kitchen is a good selling point, as is a clean and well thought out bathroom/showeroom.

Lay the dining table with tablecloths and accessories, switch all the lights in the house on and have flowers in vases in various places to both look nice and smell nice.


That's what most people don't realise they'd like to see.

GCollier

First impressions make a very big difference. I think I've read that most buyers make up their minds within 10 minutes of viewing, whether it's the house for them.

As has been stated, you basically need a complete absence of clutter, and to de-personalise as far as possible. Try to make your house as light and airy as possible. Some tactically placed mirrors can work wonders. Some people also leave extra lights on during the day so their house doesn't appear dark.

Also make sure that everywhere is spotlessly clean. And take a long hard look for things like chipped paintwork, cracked tiles - the sort of things you might be used to and overlook, but would certainly put buyers off.

Our previous house we had on the market twice. First time we didn't do any of this stuff and although it had a fair number of viewings it had no offers. Second time (a few months later) we did all this stuff, and despite being on for a higher price it had 2 offers within 4 days, both for almost 100% of asking price.

Gary.

Spoon

I doubt the estate agent that comes to value the property is actually going to buy it.

lightning101

Prove it

GCollier

I doubt it too. But the comment on first impressions still stand, as it will likely affect the valuation.

And in our case it was under 24 hours from receiving a valuation and giving the estate agent the instruction before we had our first viewings.

Gary.

lightning101

Oh and 99% of the time estate agents aren't used in the land of kings

Spoon

In which case get the freshly ground coffee out and bake those buns you've always wanted to bake.

Spoon

Agreed to a point but it wasn't the question asked.

The Snug Rhino

think you'll find very few make up their mind to buy within 10 mins but 99% will decide against within 2 mins.

Spoon

Any advance on 2 minutes?

The Snug Rhino

1min 50secs

lightning101

I might just drive past and see kids playing football in the street and just keep going - so that's about 3 seconds

Spoon

Anybody in the know will tell you that honing 10 seconds off the industry standard is some serious achievement that only comes from experience and a dedication to the job in hand.

Drunken Bungle Whore

Are you saying you never played footie in the street as a kid....?

Agree with the other point though - moving to an area we didn't know there were several times when we knew as soon as we saw the street that we didn't want to live there.

The others are right - not a lot to do before the agent comes around, except perhaps tidy up. But if you're serious about selling I'd have the weekend set aside for DIY/ sprucing up etc.

I'd also spend a serious amount of time this week checking out other similar properties in your area so you can get a feel for pricing, which agents are advertising which properties and what you're up against. DO NOT be tempted to go with the agent that says your house is worth the most!

Get an agent who's on Right Move or Primelocation - most agents reckon about 85% + of their initial contact comes via the internet. Also make sure the agent can provide you with monthly updates of their activity and the activity from the website.

We exchanged a week ago and we complete next Friday so I wish you well! It can be a mean market out there!

lightning101

I've moved 6 times in 8 years because I didn't feel the area was either 'quiet enough', condusive distance to travel to work, or the area wasn't making enough money and didn't have easy access to my childs school.

I now live in the best area of britain, my house and car insurance back that up, and all my neighbours are grave dodgers

Spoon

Neighbours and 'best area' don't mix. No neighbours is the only way to go.

Brendan Hughes

All bought within 1 min 50secs of first viewing, by the sounds of it.

Karl 227

Lightning, care to bet that my neighbours are older than yours, on average?

lightning101

Yes - my neighbour on the left is 102 and my neighbour on the right is 96 and I have a whole estate of old codgers at the back of me that I never ever see

lightning101

No, bought, rennovated and sold within the property boom

Spoon

The smell of **** and mints doesn't bother you then 101?

Brendan Hughes

At this point we find that Karl lives next to a colony of Galapagos tortoises...

lightning101

There are always compromises.


I like mints

Karl 227

OK, you're on, my oldest neighbour is 108 and my youngest neighbour is 79, between the two of them (and between their ages) there are a further 50 or so, you do the maths

RichWalk