How to sell your home

When you’ve decided to sell, it can be hard to know where to start. This helpful guide outlines the steps you need to take to sell your home.

Summary

1. Set the right price 
2. Know your competition 
3. Understand market value 
4. Stick to your plan 
5. Prepare your home for sale 
6. Present your house 
7. Set the scene 
8. Viewings 
9. Choose the best offer 

 

The asking price is the most important part of your marketing plan. Price it too high and your home will sit on the market, too low and you’ll leave money on the table. 

While it’s tempting to test the market with a high price, doing this risks long market time and may brand you as an unrealistic seller. With proper pricing, you should receive an offer in the first few weeks, with the best offers in the first 30 days. If you do not receive two second viewings or an offer in the first four weeks, the market is telling you that you have overpitched the price. 

Did you know?
We have over 1,000 property experts who can help value your property  

 

Your house will naturally compete with all the other homes on the market on both features and price. By accentuating your property’s most appealing features and ensuring it is priced lower than your competitors, buyers will see your home as the better value. 

If your home lacks the things most buyers want, your only option is to compete on price. Step back, make an honest assessment and price accordingly. 

Did you know?
We have over 26,000 people looking for a new home on our database 

 

Time is against you when it comes to getting the best price for your property. Eventually, the market will determine the value, so it’s important not to waste your first prime selling weeks with a test price. One of the first questions an interested buyer will ask is “how long has it been on the market?” with a view to putting in a lower offer for properties with longer market times. 

Be wary of an agent who quotes an unrealistically high price and promises to sell quickly. Pricing your home accurately from the start is the best thing you can do to maximize your chance of selling. 

Did you know?
9.5/10 clients would recommend us 

 

Everyone loves to talk about property. Friends, relatives, strangers and acquaintances will share their stories, give you advice and express their opinions about your home. Few, however, will have as much information as you and your agent do. Trust your instincts and your agent’s industry knowledge, and don’t be swayed by casual opinions. 

Did you know?
98% of our clients said they were kept well informed  

 

If your house is well presented when buyers come through, they’ll feel confident you’re a conscientious homeowner and stop looking for issues with your property. That goes for agents and surveyors too, who will notice the care you have taken to refresh, repair and replace old or broken items in the house. To find out how to prepare your home for sale, see our free guide here >

Did you know?
99% of clients were happy with the way we promoted their property 

 

The ‘grand designs’ effect: Like it or not, today’s buyers - in every price range - expect near-perfect properties. Improving the condition of your home prior to listing will help you achieve a better price.  

Online shoppers: Buyers search for months before purchasing, and will compare hundreds of homes to yours. Strong copy and excellent photography will help get yours noticed, or to make your home really stand out talk to us about drone shots, video, virtual walk-throughs and interactive floor plans. 

Marketing strategy: Picking the right agent is key to the success of your sale. Carter Jonas uses market-leading techniques to show your home’s best features and help buyers visualize living there. 

 

Tidy - Have a plan to quickly hide day-to-day clutter when you’re notified of a viewing, especially if you have a young family. 

Pets - Dogs should ideally be removed for viewings, and litter boxes and small animal cages should be kept clean. 

Temperature - Set the temperature at a comfortable level for the viewing. Buyers are known to leave houses that are too hot or too cold quicker. 

Scents - Candles and air fresheners may seem like a good idea, but can put some buyers off - especially those with allergies. If the house needs freshening up, try opening some windows before a showing. 

 

Viewings - Unless you direct otherwise, we will request 24 hours notice for agent viewings. Last minute requests will be accommodated with your permission. 

Open houses - While open houses are not for everyone, we often recommend them as part of your listing launch as they are a good way to gather early feedback. Weekends are best for one or two hours. 

Feedback - We request feedback after each viewing and send it to you immediately for your consideration. 

Did you know?
Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year 

 

It’s tempting to accept the offer with the highest price, but that may not be the best option for you. Your agent will consider many things when fielding offers, including offer price, buyer motivation, finance terms, selling position and proposed completion date among other things. It’s only with a complete picture of all of this information that they can work with you to understand what the best offer on the table is. 

Ready to sell? 

We hope you found this guide useful, and would love the chance to visit your property to help you assess its value. If you’re ready to sell and would like to talk to one of our experienced estate agents to see how we could help you maximise the value of your home then please get in touch today. 

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