Residential: Preparing your property to achieve optimum value

Head of Residential Property, Kim Harrison explains how to prepare and market your property to achieve optimum value in the current market conditions.

BOOK A MARKET APPRAISAL

Do a little research when initially selecting agents to value your property; speak to friends for recommendations, mystery shop visit/call the offices, explore their websites, and perhaps most importantly, take note of how they present their properties.

TAKE ADVICE ON BOARD

Take the agents advice as to what works to carry out in order to showcase your property to its full potential. A lot of people often make the mistake of carrying out works before speaking to their agent leading to unnecessary works, works becoming bigger than initially planned or making the wrong decisions. A good agent should be able to provide advice and guidance confidently.

CHOOSE YOUR AGENT

This is not always about who values higher, or has the cheapest fee, the most important things to consider are:

who you are comfortable working with;

who provided the best advice; and,

who made you confident that their staff and services would meet you expectations.

Remember, your buyers will also need to feel comfortable and will be dealing with these people.

BE OPEN

Be open with your agent about your plans for selling and timescales; it is important for the agent to understand your reasons for selling so a bespoke marketing package to be created for your property.

PLOT A TIMESCALE WITH YOUR AGENT

If works are being done, give yourself time to dress and present the house for photographs. Presentation is key to ensure quality photographs.

BE PRO-ACTIVE

Work with your agent in providing as much information on the property as possible and fill in the property information form accurately. Make sure you have proofread and are happy with the brochure before they go to print.

BE FLEXIBLE

If you would prefer the agent to carry out viewings on your behalf, you must be prepared to vacate the property. This gives the viewer time to focus and take in the environment comfortably. If you have pets, we recommend taking them out for a walk while the viewing takes place.

Most importantly from start to finish, you need to feel comfortable, trust your agent and take on board the feedback provided.

To book a market appraisal, please contact your local office