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How to Sell Your Home

We are here to help you get the best price for your home when you decide to put your house for sale, in a time frame that suits you, typically within 56 days. You might be asking how we’re so successful in selling properties at market value in such a short space of time.

For us it’s all about the high level of service we provide, good communication and keeping things simple, as well as maintaining a large database of active house buyers. Customer service and maximising the sale price of your house or apartment is at the heart of everything we do. We believe if we get this right, your sale will progress smoothly to successful completion and best of all, we usually complete on all of our property sales in Leicester and surrounding areas within 56 days.

We also listen carefully to your requirements. We find out exactly what you want and need, then offer sound and well-informed advice to help you achieve it. We provide the best possible marketing coverage and creative marketing solutions, to get you the best possible price. We will create a bespoke moving plan just for you.

When is the best time to market my property?

Now is the best time to start marketing your property to maximise your chances of finding a buyer sooner. We can find a buyer for your home at any time of the year, and there is no part of the year better than any other for selling. The areas we cover do not show any major seasonal variations, and our sales have shown to be spread evenly over the year, perhaps with a slight increase in Spring.

How long will it take to sell my property?

We typically sell properties within 56 days with contracts exchanging and completion in 28 days from the time of sale-agreed. All of our properties in Leicester and surrounding areas that have fallen outside of this timeframe have sold within a 6-12 week period making us one of the fastest-selling agents in our area, we’re also well known for achieving maximum values for your home. If you have a particular timeframe in mind, for example, 2 weeks or 10 weeks because of another property or job commitment we will always do our best to pull out the stops to ensure it’s sold in your required timeframe. We are always needing more properties, and homes of any type to sell, as we have a waiting list of actively searching buyers.

How should I prepare my property for sale?

Preparing your home for sale is one of the things we can advise on, and below we illustrate some of the key things that have worked well for us in the past.

Our buyers in Leicester are largely investor buyers who are well used to renovation projects so we can expose your property to property investors who will buy any house or flat in any condition, at a fair price.

Outside

First impressions are very important when it comes to selling your house. Stand at the front of your property and view it with a fresh eye or ask your neighbours for an honest critique about the external view of your property. If you have a front garden or driveway, make sure the grass is cut and that any rubbish or bins are removed, borders are weed-free, shrubs are trimmed, and the porch is cobweb-free. If the drive is not large consider parking your car elsewhere to give more of an impression of space. If it’s spring or summer and you have no flowers planted, it may be worth buying and planting a few to provide a splash of colour but if you’re just looking for a quick, hassle-free sale at current market value, just give us a call and we can walk you through our various sales options.

Interior

If you are moving, it would rarely make sense to spend much money on improving your property just to sell. Better to save it for your new home. It would however be sensible to carry out any small repairs that may be required, to give the impression that the property has been well maintained. If any rooms need decorating, choose a light and neutral colour, which would appeal to a wider range of purchasers. If you are a dog owner, remember that not everyone is a pet lover, so have someone take Offenbark for a walk during viewings.

Viewings

Make sure your property is warm and well-lit when you are expecting viewers, as this will make it feel more homely. If carrying out the viewing yourself, take your time, don’t rush the process, and remember that there is no need to talk all the time. Give them time to think and get the feel of the place, and imagine the property as their own. For most purchasers, the property has to feel right, as well as meet their preconceived specifications.

Ensure your property is spotlessly clean

Clean, clean, clean – we know it’s obvious but it really works. Make sure the kitchens, bathrooms and every visible part of the house are absolutely spotless. Potential buyers like to envisage themselves in your house, and ensuring there is no dust, dirt or stains around will help get the best offer. If you’ve already moved out or if you’re too busy to stay on top of things, consider hiring a cleaning service to stop by every couple of weeks. Ensure that the toilet doors are closed, and the shower screen is 100% free of limescale!

Clear out the clutter and personal possessions

You want buyers to focus on how awesome your property is, not how messy it looks. Get rid of the shoes, old tables and second-hand furniture and tidy up each room to leave a clean, sparkling free and open space for visitors to imagine living in. Any of your personal possessions that you can do without for the time of marketing, should be put away leaving bare, straight, uninterrupted surfaces that provide the feeling of space. Particularly ornaments, souvenirs, and family photos. Although personal to you, they are not to the viewer, and clear shelves and space can improve the overall feel of the rooms.

Make something delicious and sweet, and put on some coffee

It’s an age-old piece of advice, but the human psychological value is well proven. The smells of a house can influence buyers, and having a warm cosy baking scent can sub-consciously influence the chances of getting a good offer. Not a baker? Fake it with a scented candle and air freshener – the next best thing!

Bring nature inside

Ensure you have some newly purchased and suitably sized plants around the house, if possible with flowers. Potted plants or a few pretty buds in a vase can help bring energy into a space, fill in empty corners and even draw attention to features you want buyers to notice. Just make sure the plants are in good health (and bug-free!).

Post-viewing feedback

Take notice of any post-viewing feedback we may provide. If several viewers have the same comments, it makes sense if possible to do something about it.

When you instruct us to sell your home, we will carry out a market appraisal and inform you of the sale and rental value. We will discuss your options and your reasons for selling and find solutions to help you achieve your goals in the event you don’t really want to sell your property. We will carry out all viewings and assess offers without taking into consideration whether this will impact the fees we earn from selling your property. Some of our sales strategies mean we can sell your property with the buyer paying your fees so you don’t have to!