Getting Your Home Sale Ready

21st April 2022

Selling a property can be a long process with a lot of different steps, meaning you will have a lot to remember. In order for your sale to be as quick and hassle-free as possible, we have put together a guide of things you should consider doing to get your home ready for sale:

Have your paperwork to hand

Throughout the buying and selling process, your estate agent and solicitor will ask for various bits of paperwork, so if you get organised and gather these up ahead of time, it can help to prevent delays at a later date.

Examples of paperwork you may be asked for (but not limited to) are as follows:

·         Planning permission for any major work previously carried out

·         Building regulation certificates

·         Electrical checks

·         HM Land Registry title documents

·         Certificates for windows

·         Party wall agreements

Decluttering

You will want to spend some time decluttering your home and ensuring it looks as presentable and attractive as possible, as first impressions are key when you are selling your home. Doing this will also allow your instructed agent to get to work straight away, as the property will be ready to go. We take all the photos for you but helping us by organising each room will go a long way!

When it comes to organising your home, here are some tips for helping to maximise how your property looks when it’s on display:

Keep it tidy

Although it may seem like common sense, it is important that you keep things clear and tidy. That may mean removing items from kitchen counters, shelves, sideboards, etc. as it helps prospective buyers to be able to visualise the property being their own when they are viewing it.

It is also worth giving the front of the property a spruce up, as this will be the first thing that prospective buyers will see. By considering home improvements that add value to your property, you instantly double your chances of a quicker sale and overall return on your investment by appealing to high-taste buyers. This might include little things like re-painting the front door, de-weeding the garden or even replacing the doormat, but it’s these little touches that can go a long way.

Keep it clean

As well as tidying, ensuring your property is clean and inviting will go a long way. Pay particular care to the kitchen and bathrooms, clearing away any toiletries, medication, make up etc. that might be on show - and don’t forget to put those toilet seats down!

Keep it light

Another one that might seem obvious, but make sure those blinds and curtains are open. Rooms which appear dark can be off-putting to potential buyers, so ensuring rooms are well-lit is a must.

De-personalise

As we mentioned above, allowing a prospective buyer to visualise themselves in your property can go a long way, so you can help in this process by de-personalising your house. This means putting personal touches like ornaments and photographs into storage while you are selling your property.

Pets

If you have pets, you will love them unconditionally. However, not everyone has the same feelings, so we would recommend ensuring your property looks as pet-free as possible. This would mean tidying away their toys and beds for when the photographs are being taken, and ensuring they are elsewhere during property viewings.

Choosing the right estate agent

Instructing the right agent to sell your property is vital. It is key that you pick an agent who is experienced in the area that you are selling, who know how to correctly market your house and have a proven track record of sales.

Here at Marchand Petit, we are a well-established estate agency that knows the South Hams inside and out. We have an experienced team of professionals who themselves have unrivalled local knowledge, meaning we can offer that much-desired blend of knowledge and personal service.

Selling a property is one of the largest decisions that you will likely ever make. Not only is it an important financial transaction, but it also plays a key role in your quality of life, so we understand just how important it is to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible.

We aim to deliver an unrivalled standard of care and expertise to our clients and customers, and to be with you through what is a traditionally stressful process every step of the way. If you are looking to sell your home in the South Hams, please get in touch with your local branch and see how we can help.