15 Tips for Selling Your House a Guide to Selling in 2024
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When it comes to putting our homes on the market, we all have the same goal: get the best price possible and sell as fast as you can. But how exactly are you meant to do that? For many of us, selling a house can be a difficult time, no matter how many times you have done it.
From organising your house for viewings to picking estate agents, negotiating offers, instructing solicitors and moving, there is a lot to consider.
In this blog, we will be looking at all things to do with selling your home, from the best rooms to renovate to add value, when the best time to put your home up for sale is, and our tips for selling a house in 2023.
What makes a house difficult to sell?
Before we get into our tips to sell your home, we should have a look at the different factors that can make your home difficult to sell. Exactly how difficult your house will be to sell depends on your property condition, location and more.
Below we take a look at the biggest factors that can affect your sale time and price:
Japanese Knotweed
One of the biggest aspects that can have an effect on your house's sale isn't even in your home, or at least you hope. It's actually in your garden. Japanese knotweed is one of the scariest garden nasties and can grow an outstanding 20cm a day at the height of its growing season.
Even scarier than that, this super-invasive weed can grow through tarmac and into the foundations of your home, leaving structural damage in its wake.
The root of Japanese knotweed can spread as deep as 14 feet and can lie dormant in your garden for 20 years and can devalue your house by up to 15%.
If your property is found to have Japanese knotweed present, you can have your mortgage offer declined and planning permission denied.
Because of the completely destructive nature of the weed, there is very clear and strict legislation and laws surrounding it.
Should you allow Japanese knotweed to grow outside of your property and into the wild, you can face prosecution. Removing Japanese knotweed is incredibly difficult and expensive, so if you suspect you have a case, it is best to call a professional.
Pets
A fact that often shocks sellers is that pets can have a serious effect on your property price.
According to House Beautiful, if your house has excessive evidence of pets living there you can say goodbye to up to 5% of your asking price.
This is due to the fact that pets can have a knock-on effect on your home, such as general wear and tear from your pet, like dirty pawprints on the walls and scratch and bite marks on furniture.
Area Issues
The issues that affect the sale time of your home can be out of your control. If your property is located in an area with a lot of issues, then you may find that you do not have a lot of potential buyers to choose from.
Below are some of the most common area issues that can affect your selling price and time spent on the market:
Poor school ratings
Environmental pollution
Buyer demographics
Noise pollution
Closure of facilities
Housing surplus
Structural damage
If you are looking for a quick sale and a good selling price, it's often the little things that can have the biggest effect.
Estate agents will often be able to find these issues in your home, which will then have a knock-on effect on your asking price.
Key issues to be wary of include:
Termites
Exposed gaps between walls
Crumbling concrete
Ill-fitting doors and windows
Uneven floors
Timber rot
Damp
Leaking roof
Wall and ceiling cracks
Outdated furniture
Another factor that can increase your property's time spent on the market is unfashionable and outdated furniture.
Whilst having a home that reflects your own unique or quirky style is great when it comes to attracting buyers you may find it becomes a hindrance than a help.
If you have a kitchen that looks like it was decorated in the 90s and hasn’t changed since, then a buyer may have to spend time and money to bring it into the 21st century. Whilst this may not be a dealbreaker for some, it is likely to chase many potential buyers away.
What adds more value to a house?
Getting the right sale price for your home is an important part of any house sale. But how exactly can you seal the deal on that all-important asking price for your home?
Below are some of the best ways you can add value to a house:
Energy Efficiency
The energy efficiency of a home is more important than ever, so it is vital that you make sure that your property is running at maximum efficiency.
The more energy efficient your home is, the higher the rating you get on your EPC will be, which in turn will make it more attractive to buyers. A new boiler is a great way to boost your EPC rating, as is insulating your loft or walls and having double-glazed doors and windows installed.
Open Plan
If you wish to achieve a higher sale price, then making your house more open plan may be the way to go.
Whilst knocking through a wall may not sound as though it will add much value to your home, it can help to create a larger and lighter living space, which is valuable to prospective buyers.
Conversion
Money, space, and planning permissions can prove to be a bother for homeowners looking to increase the value of their property, however, there are other alternatives that can bypass these issues.
Garage, attic, or basement conversions are all good ways to increase the value of your property. You will need to factor in which of these conversions will make the most sense with your space and budget.
Bathroom Remodel
Bathroom remodels are a popular choice for those looking to increase the value of their homes. When done right, a new bathroom or a bathroom remodel can add up to 5% to the market value of your home.
It is worth weighing up first whether a bathroom remodel is the best option for your home by looking at the space, cost, and timeline for the remodel.
New Kitchen
If a kitchen renovation is within your budget and is a sensible renovation for your property then it can be a great way to increase the value of your property.
One of the most common home improvements, new kitchens can add up to 10% to the value of your property.
Whether you want a new kitchen island fitted, or you plan to combine the kitchen and dining room into a multi-purpose living space, a kitchen remodel can be a great investment for those looking to sell their property.
What is the best way to sell a house in poor condition?
If you have a house that is in poor condition and you don't have the time or the money to wait to have repairs made then you will be left with three main options in order to secure a sale.
You can put your home up for sale through either a property auction, an estate agent, or through a genuine cash-buying company. As with any selling decision, there are pros and cons to each option, below we break them down and have a deep dive into the different selling options.
Auction
A house-selling option which is popular with those who have problem properties are house auctions. An auction works by agreeing on a minimum reserve price for your property. Potential buyers will then bid on the property and once the reserve price has been met, the highest bid will win.
A huge advantage to selling this way is that buyers will be made aware of the condition your property is in before they bid on it. This means there will be no surprises for the buyer. All bids are also legally binding, so once the hammer drops the buyer can't pull out without facing serious legal consequences.
Another positive is that auction houses have a lot of experience with selling problem properties so will be able to market the property to the right audience.
The downside to selling your problem property through a property auction is that it is a lengthy and drawn-out process. Once you have listed your property for sale, you will have to wait for the next auction which could be weeks or even months away. Having to wait for the next auction is not ideal for sellers who are looking for a sale which is quick and hassle-free.
Even after the auction is complete, you will still have to wait for the paperwork to go through which can take a month or more, once again adding to the delay.
Furthermore, auctioneers charge a commission to cover the cost of marketing and selling your home, and this can eat away at the profit made from your sale.
Estate Agents
Often people's first port of call when it comes to selling a property, estate agents are a popular method of selling a property.
However, if you have a problem property, one that is in poor condition, you may find that finding a buyer on the open market can be a struggle. If this is the case for you, then you may find that a specialist estate agent is the best route for you.
A specialist estate agent has a great deal of experience when it comes to selling homes, but especially when it comes to selling problem properties.
A huge advantage to selling through a specialist estate agent is that an estate agent will do all of the hard work for you, such as creating a listing and advertising it for you.
However, the downside to this selling method is that buyers may be put off your property if it is in poor condition. As a result, you may find yourself having to offer less than the property is worth to compensate for its condition.
Another downside to selling a property this way is that it can be quite some time before you find a buyer for your property.
Finding a buyer when your property is in good condition is a difficult enough task, so when your property requires a bit of work you could be waiting for months which if you are looking for a fast sale is not ideal.
Selling through an estate agent also means that even after you have paid for your solicitors and removal costs, you will be subject to estate agent fees. These extra costs can add up and eat away at your final profit.
Cash Buyers
The third option, if you are looking to sell your property quickly, is to sell through a cash-buyer.
A cash-buyer is the best way to guarantee a fast and hassle-free sale on your house, as they will not care about the condition of the property.
Unlike other buyers on the open market who may be turned off buy a property in poor condition, a cash house buyer will purchase your property regardless of the condition.
Selling with a cash house buyer also means that you are not only guaranteed a sale but it will also be tailored to suit you.
Whether you want to sell in four months time or in as little as seven days, a cash buyer can purchase your property as soon as you are ready.
And if you sell through us, we will also cover all of the legal fees you would expect when typically selling a house - it's just one of the ways we make selling easy.
What part of house is best to renovate?
When it comes to increasing the value of a property before a sale, the top answers for the best part of the house to renovate are usually the kitchen or the bathroom. The reason behind these choices is that they are two of the rooms in the house that hold the most value. If a kitchen remodel is fitted correctly, it can add as much as 10% value to your property, and a new bathroom can add as much as 5%.
Is it worth refurbishing a house before selling?
Whether or not refurbishing your home before selling is worth it depends on your own personal circumstances. Refurbishing your property can be a great way to add value to your home and help you sell faster, however, it can also be more of a curse than a blessing for certain houses.
However, before you jump head-first into a full-scale bathroom remodel or kitchen renovation, it is important to do your own research about whether it will be beneficial to you. How much value your renovation will add to your home will depend not just on your home, but its location as well.
An example of this would be if you lived in Durham, where the average price of a house last year was £190,361. This means that if you got that crucial 5% of £9,518, you would then need to take away £6000 for the renovation and remodel, leaving you with an increased value of £3,518.
But if you live in an area with high property prices such as London, where the average cost of a home was £726,255, then the 5% increase becomes £36312. After the deduction of £6000 for the renovation, you are looking at an added value of £30,312.
You will also need to factor in the time and money that will be spent on this renovation. Whilst it may be adding some slight value to your property, the time and money you will have to spend waiting for it to be finished may detract from the value gained.
Top tips to sell your house
If you are looking to secure a fast sale for the best price but aren't sure how to achieve it, look no further. Here we have compiled our top tips for anyone who is looking at selling their house:
1. Setting the right asking price
Another key tip for selling your home is to make sure to set the right asking price. A good way to do this is to invite three local estate agents round to value your property.
Whilst you may decide against selling with an estate agent, many estate agents will offer a free valuation. This way you can get a good idea of how much your property is worth by weighing up each number you receive and working out the average price.
You should also look at other properties in your area that sold on the local market. You should look at how much they sold for, how long they were on the market and how similar they are to your property.
Local and national house price indexes are also good to look through when setting your asking price, as well as online property portals such as Zoopla and Rightmove.
If you set your asking price too high, you can end up stuck on the market for months, hanging about waiting for a buyer, so it is important that you start your house-selling journey off on the right foot.
2. Declutter
One of the most important tips on this list is decluttering your property. Clutter not only costs you valuable space, but it can also cost you with your property valuation. It is no secret that tidy, clean homes get a higher valuation price than those that are left cluttered and dirty.
The best way to tackle the mess is by making sure to tidy as you go through each room in your house. This means that anything that is not coming with you in the move is either put away, put into storage or thrown away. As a rule of thumb, you should have a look through cupboards and storage solutions and they should be no more than 75% full.
3. Deep clean
A cost-effective tip that is both cheap to do and saves you money, in the long run, is to deep clean your property. Going hand in hand with decluttering, deep cleaning is an essential part of any sale.
Before any estate agent visits or viewings, it is important to make sure your property is clean. You don't have to go overboard, small changes can have a bigger effect than you realise. Go through your house room by room being sure to leave no surface unpolished and no sofa cushion unturned.
Although it can be a little pricey, professionally deep cleaning your carpet, blinds or curtains can perform miracles for your home. The key to a quick sale and a high sale price is a clean home.
4. Boost kerb appeal
Think your garden doesn't matter? Think again! In a survey done by HomeOwners Alliance 68% of prospective buyers said that they considered kerb appeal to be an important factor when picking their next property.
Don't worry, you don't have to go full gardeners world on it. Simple steps such as remembering to cut the grass, cleaning the patio, setting up lawn furniture, getting rid of weeds, and planting new flowers are all great ways you can help boost kerb appeal and have buyers lining up around the block.
5. Paint walls
If you are looking for ways to help secure a quick sale, you would be amazed at what a fresh coat of paint can do! Paint is a miracle cure-all as far as home makeovers go. A fresh coat on a tired-looking wall can make a room feel brand new. On top of this, using neutral shades can help make rooms feel bigger and lighter.
6. Make repairs
An advantage of preparing your home for viewings is that it is a chance to go over your home and finish any DIY projects that have fallen by the wayside and make any repairs that you haven't had time for over the years i.e if you've got a dripping tap that you keep meaning to fix, now's the time.
Simple home improvements such as replacing any broken tiles or broken lightbulbs are a great place to start when it comes to making repairs.
7. Freshen up rooms
Whilst it may sound obvious, a fresh-smelling home is going to sell faster than one that smells of cigarette smoke or pets. The following can all produce smells and odours that can put any people looking around your home on viewings off:
Smoking
Bins
Cooking
Pets
Damp
Blocked drains
Before you have anyone come round to look at your property, it is vital that you take care of any cooking smells or aromas, empty the bins, and take steps to make sure your house is smelling fresh. Scented candles, reed diffusers, air fresheners, and fresh flowers are all your best friends whilst your property is on the market.
8. Stage your rooms
If there is one thing to take away from this list, it's that first impressions count! Your prospective buyers will have formed a decision about your property within seconds of walking through the door and stepping over the threshold, so it is important that you show your property in the best light possible.
You can do this through staging your home. Home staging is the process of setting up your home in a way that is visually appealing to impress buyers and estate agents without being too obvious. According to a survey done by Movewise, 94% of those surveyed stated that staging a property increases the number of viewings.
9. Take down any family photos
If you are looking to sell your home quickly and for the best price, then you will need to take down any family photos whilst you are having viewings or photos done. This is because buyers like to imagine themselves living in the house and removing personal items like these give them a blank canvas to work with.
10. Remove children’s artwork
As sweet as your children's artwork is, when it comes to property viewings it needs to be taken down. As a rule of thumb, any personal items should be hidden away during viewings to give your home a showroom-like quality.
11. Remove trophies and certificates
Trophies and certificates are great achievements to be proud of, but they must be put away whilst viewings or photographs are taken.
12. Take down any collectable items
Collectable items may make an excellent talking point when people come over to your home, however as far as viewings are concerned they should be put into storage. A blank canvas is the look you should be aiming to achieve for your home whilst you are selling.
13. Hide any holiday souvenirs
As we have already touched on, you need to remove any trace of personal items and create a showroom for people viewing your property. This will allow them to envision themselves living in your property.
14. Light a fire
Whilst this is more of a specific point, it lends itself to a wider one. Lighting a fire, if your home has a fireplace, during viewings is a great way to make the place feel warm and inviting.
If you don't have any fireplaces fitted, then there are other ways around this. Simple steps such as adding flowers to a room, or adding throws and cushions to sofas can help create a welcoming and cosy environment.
15. Sell to us
Not that we are biased, but we think the best house-selling tip in order to secure a quick sale in 2023 is to sell to a cash buyer like ourselves. We can help you sell your property fast, in a time scale that suits you. Whether you want to be sold within the month or in 5 months' time, we can tailor our service to fit you.
What not to fix when selling a house
Now we have had a look at some of the areas that can increase the value of our homes as well as our top tips for selling a home, we should have a look at what not to fix when preparing your home for a sale. The following are areas of your home that you should not pay as much attention to when preparing to sell your house quickly:
Shopping second hand
If some of the appliances in your property stop working, they will need replacing. However, this does not mean that they need to be brand new, especially if they are permanent fixtures and not coming with you in the move. Looking out for second-hand appliances is a good way to keep costs down, however, they will need to be in good working condition.
Cut decorating costs
If your property is looking a little worse for wear, then you will need to give it a slight facelift. However, there is no need to go overboard in doing this. As we have already mentioned, small changes can make a world of difference when it comes to decorating a property. A fresh coat of paint can transform a room, and depending on the colour used can make rooms feel bigger and lighter.
Stop overspend
When you move house, you will need to think carefully about the fixtures and fittings that will be left behind in the move, and what will need replacing if it stays. As a rule of thumb, you will not need to worry about white goods such as fridges and freezers, as most people will bring these with them when they move home.
However, if you have a boiler that is on the blink, it will be in your best interests to have it replaced before the move. Whilst this can be costly, a new boiler will reflect well on the property and can result in a higher selling price.
Is now a good time to sell a house 2023?
Whether or not it is a good time to sell your house on the open market depends upon the time of year. According to research by The Advisory, the best month to sell your property is March, with the average seller spending an average of 57 days on the market before going under offer. Summer and winter are the worst time to sell your home as people tend to be preoccupied with school holidays or Christmas.
However, when you sell to us, it is always a good time to sell a house, regardless of the time of year.
Here at The Property Buying Company, we pride ourselves on specialising in house sales that are fast and free. We will buy any house, in any condition, without the need for any remodels. As a genuine cash buyer, we pride ourselves on being able to buy your property in a timescale that suits you, whether that's 3 months from now or in as little as 7 days...
We only require one quick viewing to ensure our original cash offer is correct, and once you accept that offer, that is the amount you get in FULL in your bank.
We are also proud members of the National Association of Property Buyers and The Property Ombudsman, as well as being rated excellent on Trustpilot.
With over 50 years of combined experience, we will buy any house, in any location, in any condition, taking the stress out of your home sale. Plus, we cover all fees for you - even the legal ones!
Looking to sell your house fast? Then give us a call today or fill in our online valuation form to receive a no-obligation CASH offer which we could have in your bank in as little as 7 days...
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