Four ways you could be sabotaging the sale of your home in Cheadle

Whether we are in an active market like now, or one that moves at a slower pace, there is still a percentage of homes that can struggle to sell.  On the surface, it can be hard to understand why, but as an experienced agent in Cheadle, the reason to us is often pretty clear.  Having a home that is sitting there with hardly any viewings can be soul destroying, especially when all the properties for sale around you seem to be flying off the shelf.  But could you be unwillingly sabotaging the sale of your home?

1. It’s the small things!

A home that has not been regularly maintained does not make a good impression – in fact, it can make buyers nervous and often it isn’t the big things that buyers notice. Maybe you’ve decorated but the finish isn’t great; you could have a cupboard or two that isn’t in the best shape; or maybe your guttering is dripping as it’s not had autumn’s debris cleared away.  When you view a property, you want to see a home that has been loved and cared for and any even relatively minor flaws can make buyers question what else could be wrong with it. Hiding behind the imperfections could be some major concerns – or perhaps not, but it is the perception buyers take away that matters.

Even if a potential buyer can overlook some of the required repairs, any offer will reflect the cost of any works they believe the property needs.  We know you love your home, so show this to potential buyers by putting the effort in at the start; when it comes to getting your home valued, you may have a nice surprise but, more importantly, you will find your home sells quicker as a result. We are always happy to offer advice on our valuation appointment to ensure that your property hits the ground running once it goes on the market.

2. Living in dream land

Do you have a price in mind that you want for your property, regardless of what anyone says?  Maybe you have renovated your home and the cost of these additions and finishes is influencing the figure you want to achieve.  Even in today’s market, there is usually a ceiling price a buyer will be willing to pay for a property on a specific street or in a particular neighbourhood.  Just because a similar house sold for X amount two streets down, doesn’t mean that your home will be valued at the same – it could be less, but it also could be higher.

To ensure your home sells quickly and doesn’t sit gathering dust in the estate agent’s window, you need to listen to the experts.  As an estate agent working every day in Cheadle, we know the true value of your home right now and the price that will get it sold as quickly as possible.  It is important to consult the local experts, as a computer algorithm on an online valuation tool or property portal could be wildly inaccurate.

3. Going it alone

You have many choices today in how you sell your home, whether that’s an experienced high street estate agent such as ourselves or one that allows you to go it alone.  Estate agents only put properties on Rightmove, right?  And in this market where it feels like every home is selling, why pay more than a low fixed fee?  Which often isn’t the lowest fee agent – choosing your estate agent should be an investment see finding a buyer is not the same as selling your home; sadly, this is a mistake we see all too often when we are left to try and pick up the pieces after things go wrong.

Once a buyer is found, you then start the tricky part of the sale process, where the many players within the chain are guided through to completion together.  Holding a chain together is a work of art; it takes lots of chasing, reassuring and constant communication to manage client expectations, which is where a good estate agent is worth their weight in gold.  If you don’t just want an offer but to actually sell your home, have a serious think about the risk you could be taking when instruction a cheap up front online agent.

4. Lingering around

Viewings are a time when buyers get to see if they can make your house their home, so having the sellers there can make them feel a little uncomfortable.  Buyers want the freedom to view and comment, as well as ask questions without judgement, which they may not feel able to do when you are around.  How can a buyer imagine living there when your presence is a constant reminder that this is your home. Maurice Kilbride one of our senior agents will always accompany potential buyers for a viewing any day of the week, including Sunday, so you can use the time to go for a walk or even treat yourself to a meal somewhere – now pubs and restaurants are reopening!  you never know, you could have fantastic news of an offer on your return.

Make it easy for yourself

We all know selling your home can be stressful. By putting the effort and thought in from the outset, listening to expert advice, using professionals and respecting a buyer’s need for space, you will not only make selling your home easier, it will almost certainly sell quicker too!

If you would like more advice on selling your home in Cheadle, please give Patrick, Joe or Maurice a call today on 0161 428 3663, e-mail sales@mkiea.co.uk or why not pop into our Cheadle High Street office for a face to face chat.