Whether you’re relocating, upsizing, downsizing, or you simply fancy a change, moving house can be one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do. The process isn’t always speedy though, especially when you’re trying to find the right buyer for your property. According to the 2019 ‘Time to Sell’ benchmark report by The Advisory, the average time it takes to sell a house – right through from putting the home on the market to legal completion – is 4.2 months, which can extend to almost 6 months in a cold market. But there is some good news: there are a few simple yet effective tricks you can use to help sell your home faster. Let’s take a look at our top five.
1. Simple design upgrades
When you really want to show off your property in the best light and attract potential buyers, it’s natural that you’ll begin to notice those areas of the home that would benefit from being refreshed. However, it’s also natural that you won’t want to invest heavily in updating a property that you’re planning to vacate in the near future. Fortunately, there is a solution. With simple, low-cost design upgrades – such as replacing kitchen doors rather than entire units – you can easily update your home’s appearance without the need for time-consuming renovations, or the big investments that come with making major changes.
2. Style to sell
You may have spent years designing your home to reflect your own personality. However, it’s important to think about how a look that’s perfect for you could affect how potential buyers see your property. Think about when you’ve viewed properties yourself; you try to imagine yourself living there, right? By styling to sell, you can create a more neutral space — a blank canvas – so it’s easier for people to imagine their future there. Think about replacing bold colours in your kitchen with white kitchen doors, or adding a splash of magnolia to vibrant feature walls to try and appeal to a broader range of buyers.
3. First impressions count
You only have one chance to make a good first impression on potential buyers, and it seems that this opportunity is very short-lived. According to research by the Independent Network, the average Brit judges a home in just 38 seconds! To sell your home faster, it’s important to pay special attention to the areas that potential buyers will see first. For many, this will mean tidying up the front garden. But pay attention to the downstairs part of your property, too, as this is typically where a tour will begin. Rooms such as the kitchen, living room, and dining room should be top-notch.
4. Value your home accurately
Selling your house faster isn’t just about focusing on design aspects; it’s about attracting the right people, at the right time. One of the most frequent mistakes that sellers make is to overvalue their property. This isn’t always the seller’s fault. In fact, research shows that estate agents regularly overvalue properties, with accepted offers coming in at almost 7% below asking price for around a third of all homes on the market. The risk of overvaluation is that the higher price can deter many people from booking a viewing, meaning you’re missing out on a huge pool of potential buyers.
5. Market your home
Finally, a common mistake that sellers make is to simply list their property for sale, rather than market it. The truth is that no one knows your home quite as well as you do; you know its best features, and you know what makes your home special. Do your kitchen units boast environmentally-friendly materials? Let people know. Have you worked hard to create a great garden space? Make sure it’s featured prominently in your photos. Don’t be afraid to show off the specific characteristics and personality of your home. It’s the little touches and attention to detail that can be the deciding factors!