If you have taken the decision to sell your home in London – either to move on to pastures new or to find a larger residence – then there are some things that you need to think about at the beginning of the process.
For many people, the value of houses for sale in London will be the first consideration – and it pays to put the right asking price on your home.
Buyers may be put off by a London house for sale if they feel it is overvalued in comparison to similar properties in the same part of the capital and, obviously, you don’t want to sell your home for less than it is actually worth.
The primary factor affecting the asking price you put on your property will be the surrounding area, with everything from the local amenities and the district’s reputation to its proximity to transport links playing a role.
A good way to get an idea of the kind of figure you can expect to receive when you sell London property is to find out how much similar residences in your area sold for – or are currently on the market for – within the last six to 12 months.
If you want to test the water before choosing a particular estate agent to work with then ask for valuations from several companies – as long as you do not sign a sole agency agreement with any of them, then you are under no obligation to put the property on the market with a particular firm.
Another thing that may affect the asking price you put on your house or apartment will be how quickly you want to sell. If you are in need of a quick transaction, you may want to offer something slightly below the average market value to help attract buyers and hopefully speed the process up.
Of course, you can handle the sale of your property yourself if you wish, but you should not underestimate how time consuming it can be – as well as costly – to market your house to potential buyers, carry out viewings and draw up contracts.
If you would prefer to avoid the hassle, you are likely to find that enlisting an estate agent on your behalf is the best move.
It is strongly advisable to choose an agent that is registered with one or more professional body – such as the National Association of Estate Agents or the Ombudsman for Estate Agents.
This will not only give you peace of mind that the people dealing with the sale of your home are reputable and knowledgeable, but it will also provide you with support should you have problems with the agent you select.
There are a few things that you should do to prepare your property for sale, such as thoroughly cleaning and tidying your house or apartment and ensuring that any small DIY jobs are taken care of.
Check that there are no serious issues that need to be dealt with, because this could impact on the amount you are offered by a potential buyer. If you are not able to pay for any substantial repairs, then you may need to lower your asking price to account for these.
It is also a good idea to tidy up the front and exterior of the property – after all, this is the first thing that people will see when they come to view your home. Cutting back the plants in the garden, mowing the lawn and cleaning the windows are all small measures that can help create a positive initial impression.
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