Despite concerns that the housing market has peaked and could be approaching a slow down due to the current economic climate, demand is still outpacing supply and most of the UK remains in a hot sellers’ market – according to the latest market insight from PropCast.*
According to new figures from GetAgent*, estate agents across England and Wales have registered just over 43,000 transactions per month over the last three months – meaning they’ve sold an estimated 17% of all homes listed for sale on a monthly basis.*
The South East, East of England and South West all showed monthly sales volumes of 17% of total stock listed, meaning almost a fifth of all homes listed are being snatched up on a monthly basis.*
If you’re ready to sell your home for the first time, you can do so with confidence with the current rate of demand at your advantage. Here’s some helpful advice to get you started.
Evaluate your finances before your next move
If you’re ready to make your next move and place your home on the market for the first time, make sure you check your mortgage agreement and balance first. You will need to know how much remains on your loan and if there are early repayment penalties.
If you’re buying your next property, work out how much you could borrow before starting your search.
You will also need to factor in the cost of selling your home into your overall moving budget – from repairs to conveyancing and removals – as these things can pile up without careful planning.
Take your time
Finding your second home is an even bigger decision than finding your first, as this will be the purchase that enhances your current lifestyle now that the all-important step onto the property ladder is out of the way.
Big decisions take time, and while you’re thinking about where to relocate, you can get started on making any necessary repairs and improvements on your home. Allowing yourself enough time to get a great plan together (and to have your home in tip-top condition before selling!) is bound to secure you the best possible offer, which will allow you a hefty budget for your next home.
Make your home appealing
Staging your property is more essential than you may think, and to do so effectively, you should put yourself in the shoes of your prospective buyers. Would your home be more attractive to single professionals, or established families? It’s important to present your home in a way that will appeal to whoever you think your target demographic is likely to be.
Most buyers won’t want to be greeted by a completely empty home during viewings, but on the flipside, a cluttered home can be even more off-putting. This is why thoughtful staging is so key, because you will need to find the balance between homely and ‘buyer ready’, which means depersonalising, repairing and decluttering, without stripping the home of its attractive qualities and functions.
Instruct an agent
The property market is infamously difficult to navigate and choosing a great estate agent who can help you is one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make. You will need an agent who knows the local area well and has experience in selling your type of property.
Get to know your local trusted agents by requesting an online house valuation via Parkers, or by using our handy search tool to find your nearest branch. You can also book an at home valuation where you can ask our agents questions and learn more about our exceptional services.
Set the right asking price
To sell your home, you will need to have it valued so you can set an accurate sale price. A professional valuation will provide you with a guide and a recommended selling price, but ultimately, the decision comes down to you. It’s important to work with your estate agent, as they will know your local area and market well, and can base your asking price on things like current demand, which will reflect the true value of your property.
Get your EPC rating
The Energy Performance Certificate Rating (EPC) will tell buyers how energy efficient your property is, which offers buyers an insight into running costs for the property. Every house sale needs an EPC to be drawn up, and your estate agent can organise this for you, or you can arrange for it yourself and send your agent the certificate.
Contact our agents for expert advice on selling your home.
GetAgent*
