First impressions count!

Mow the lawn, remove weeds (including from the driveway), pick up any litter in the garden and surrounding areas.

If necessary (and if budget permits), repaint the exterior.

If the interior needs a lick of paint, finish the job at least a week before any viewings; better to smell fresh ground coffee or flowers than fresh paint! Use light, neutral colours.

Keeping your house neat and tidy doesn’t cost anything but a little time and effort.

Remove all clutter! Not only is this pleasing on the eye, it gives the impression of more space (and bigger rooms!)

Choosing an Estate Agent

Of course, you don’t have to use an agent; you can sell privately, using a For Sale, newspapers ads, the internet etc etc. Or even put it up for auction; set a minimum you will accept. This is known as the reserve price.

If you do use an estate agent, get at least three to ‘value’ your home. Don’t necessarily go with the highest figure. Overpricing could mean few, if any, viewings and a delay in selling (or no sale at all!).

Agents generally work on a no sale-no fee basis (between 1-3% commission or a flat fee), but check first. Most are members of the National Association of Estate Agents and should be signed up to the voluntary Estate Agents Ombudsman scheme; handy if there is a dispute or you are unhappy with the service.

If you already have someone interested in the property before you have signed with an agent, it is a good idea to point out this prior interest to the agent and have something written into the contract with them, next to their charges, along the lines “However, if xxxxx buys the property, then this fee will reduce to £xxx.”

If you decide that a private sale doesn’t warrant any commission to the agent CHECK THE SMALL PRINT before you sign (you should check it anyway.) It may well be that they have a right in law for the full amount, unless there is a clause to the contrary.

There are various agreements to choose from:

Sole Agency – exclusive to one agent and generally the cheapest
Joint Agency – two agents; they split the commission (more expensive)
Multiple Agency – most expensive

In short...

Keep your house neat & tidy
It should be uncluttered
Remove all nasty smells! Open windows, use air fresheners, pot pourri.
It should be cosy, warm and inviting. Put the central heating on, if necessary (and don’t have your clothes drying on the radiators!)
Kids will be kids, I know, but tell them to tidy their rooms – and ‘switch off that loud music’. It may be all the rage nowadays, but to anyone over the age of 25, it’s usually something that rhymes with ‘rap’!