Tips for Buying and Selling
Nikki Ackerley - Property Correspondent

Buying

• Show you’re capable financially with a mortgage agreed in principle and the necessary capital in the bank.
• Get your existing property on the market so you can be in a better position to move if the right property comes up.
• Show you’re keen to move quickly as sellers and agents are always attracted to a quick sale with minimal complications.
• Be keen and build up rapport with the estate agents. You want to be the first person they call when they receive a new instruction. Treat them as humans and if they’ve any sense they’ll treat you well too.
• Be clear about what you are looking for, your financial limits and be prepared to put yourself out to view a property at short notice. Give the agent all your contact telephone numbers and decide how far you will compromise. There’s no such thing as a dream home!! Always get back to the estate agent and let them know what you thought after seeing a property but be positive about continuing your search.
• Don’t ignore the importance of a good location. You will always be able to buy a bigger property near a main road or railway line but it is important to weigh up the pros and cons. Be sure you have considered all the implications. Also check out the neighbourhood. Nearby pylons, public houses and even schools if it causes parking difficulties can affect the value.
• Checking on your potential neighbours is a good idea too!

Selling

• First impressions count! Buyers normally make up their minds in the first five minutes. Make sure the gate works, the front door and window cills are well presented ’ no pealing paint, a tidy ’ not overgrown garden all create the impression of a well maintained home.
• Whenever possible let the agent show prospective purchasers around your home. A seller can inadvertently create a negative picture of their home by drawing attention to things that were previously not noticed. "We never really notice the noise from the road", "My husband did all the improvements himself" are classic clangers that estate agents hear time and time again.
• Make sure your house is clean and presentable because if you can’t be bothered to do the little jobs, a purchaser will then wonder what else has not been attended to.
• In an ideal world keep children quiet and well behaved! Make sure visitors don’t fall over their toys.
• Pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms and make sure there are no offensive odours!

TIPS :

Don’t ignore the effects of stale tobacco - open the windows!

Buyers will often open doors, cupboards, drawers and fridges - make sure there’s nothing off putting!

Bins - make sure they are regularly emptied - overflowing bins are a real turn off - so are piles of dirty laundry!

Forget the smell of fresh coffee or baking bread as these tricks are as transparent as your newly cleaned windows! Fresh flowers always make an impact. Candles have made a massive comeback in the style stakes and are useful for their ability to absorb smells.

Keep the kitchen clean - piles of dirty washing up make it look small and crowded.

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