Get Your Home Ready for a Spring Sale

Spring and summer are typically busy times for the property market across the UK – but this is more so given the re-evaluation of priorities that none of us could have foreseen. Rather than open plan properties close to the city centre, amenities and transport links, we are seeing a shift towards more rooms for home working, demand for garden rooms and buyers wanting to move to rural homes that are within close proximity to outside space and parks.

The buoyant property market has been given a further boost by the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme – a government backed initiative whereby all buyers can purchase a home with a 5% deposit on properties worth up to £600,000. This is in response to the large scale withdrawal of low deposit mortgages and is open to everyone. The scheme is available from major UK lenders from April 2021 until December 2022.

Now is a great time to take advantage of the high demand – and with supply falling far behind it is currently a seller’s market. Here are some of the best ways you can sell your home quickly and maximise the sale price of your home:

Choosing an agent

It’s important to have your property valued as soon as you decide to sell. Look for the following:

Local experience and knowledge. Does the agent live in the area and understand the market?
Has the agent sold properties similar to yours in the last six months? Ask them how long it took to sell similar properties, the offers received, the sale price and feedback from buyers.
How will they market your home and keep you updated on the progress of any viewings?
Choose an agent who will provide a great service, has a proven track record, understands the local market and can detail their marketing strategy.

Getting a valuation

Don’t choose the agent that gives you the highest valuation – this is not always achievable. Often sellers are swayed by the promise of high sales figures, but it’s important to be realistic otherwise your home could sit on the market exposing it to unnecessary negotiation. It will get the most attention the first two weeks it appears on the search portals and you only get one chance to make a first impression. If your property is priced correctly, the level of exposure it receives will be higher. Ask the agent to provide their rationale for the valuation including information on similar properties sold.

Be prepared

You will need to provide several pieces of documentation to various parties when selling your home. Make sure you have these to hand to avoid any delays. You should gather the following (if relevant):

HM Land Registry title documents.
Gas Safe registered engineer (or Corgi-registered engineer prior to 2009) gas safety documents.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) or a NAPIT or NICEIC certificate/report from a registered electrician.
FENSA or CERTAS certificates for windows.
Details of planning permission for any building work carried out.
Building regulation completion certificates and builder’s guarantee certificates for alterations or additions.
Subsidence guarantees/warranties.
Damp guarantees/warranties.
Party wall agreements.
Listed building consent for any works undertaken, inside and out.
Conservation area consent for works undertaken.
Title insurance policies you may have taken out to solve title defects.

Give your home the best chance of success

Before you have any valuations or marketing sales materials prepared you need to make sure your home is looking as appealing as possible so that your estate agent can hit the ground running.
Make sure you maximise the light in each room by keeping curtains pulled right back, cleaning all windows and placing lamps in any dark corners.
Consider the outside of the property as this is the first thing a potential buyer will see. Tidy the front garden and make sure all windows and doors are clean and in good condition.
With the rise in demand for outside space, make sure your garden is cut back and tidy.
Clean and declutter your house paying close attention to the kitchen. Make sure all worktops are tidy with no visible washing up, clean windows and pet bowls put away.
Make sure your bathrooms are free from mould and dust, toiletries are put away in cupboards and the toilet seat is kept down at all times.

Clyde Property is a leading independent, multiple award-winning estate and letting agent with more than 30 years’ experience in selling and letting property in Scotland. Just call your local Clyde Property branch today for friendly, impartial advice on finding your next dream home.