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9th December 2015
Although the Brighton market is broadly unseasonal, January is a busy time for property wherever you are. The New Year means new starts, and Boxing Day is the annual peak for online traffic on property websites.
That means there's no better time than now to get your house together for 2016. So where should you start?
The better state the house is in, the better the chance of getting a good price. Aesthetically it's more appealing, but it also means potential buyers have to do less work to imagine it as their home – the more work they imagine having to do, the less they will want to buy, especially if the asking price is high.
It's not worth replacing kitchen units or buying a new bathroom suite, but simple renovations like replacing the kitchen door and drawer fronts can make a world of difference. And it's well worth making all those repairs you've been putting off for years.
For the same reasons, a lick of paint, a clearing out and stringent cleaning will go a long way towards attracting buyers.
Of course they'll have to do it all themselves should they buy the place, but humans are simple creatures, and it's easier to like something that's immediately alluring than to grind mental gears to get there.
You only get one chance to make a first impression. Don't neglect the outside in your quest to dress the inside up. Keep the garden in good condition. Clean the steps. Paint the door. Sweep up leaves.
People are quick to make judgements, and they start when walking up the driveway.
Focus on getting the best price – talk to two or three agents but don’t let yourself be lured into going with the highest valuation.
When a property goes on the market for more than it’s worth, there is a danger of actually losing out – it becomes more difficult to sell, falls stagnant on the market and then loses an amount of its asking price, which could actually take it to less than it was originally worth.
Our strategy is to value the property correctly and then put all of our energy into marketing the property to ensure a smooth and successful sale and to get the seller the best deal possible.
Which brings us to the final step – choosing an agent to represent you. You need an honest agent, with strong local knowledge who isn't just out to make a quick sale at all costs (unless you are). Qualities we at Maslen pride ourselves on.
For more tips on selling your house, have a look at our essential seller's guide.