Selling Your Home in Arsenal

Five Simple Steps to a Stress-Free Sale

Putting your property on the market can be a daunting task. A methodical approach is key to a successful sale.

Moving house is one of the most exciting experiences in life. But it can also be among the most stressful. In fact, when the latest iteration of the Holmes And Rahe Stress Scale ranked it at just 25, there was a general outcry that it should be up there in the top ten, alongside divorce, bereavement and loss of employment.

Perhaps the reason it is not ranked quite so high is that the right support and a strategic approach can remove much of the stress and help everything go like clockwork. Arsenal estate agents are seeing as much demand as ever, so if you have been contemplating a move from north London, why not set the wheels in motion and be in your new home in time for Christmas? Here are some simple steps to guide you along the way.

Choose your agent

There are hundreds of estate agents to choose from. They range from traditional high street outfits to internet-based companies that do everything online. The latter might look tempting, but for a smooth sale, there is no substitute for local knowledge, and for sitting down and talking to a real person. Also, remember, if the agent’s fee is a percentage of the sale value, you have a shared interest in fetching the best price in the shortest time.

What’s it worth?

Pricing a house so that it sells rapidly but still generates the maximum return sounds like a nightmare it itself. The point is, however, that your local agents will have their finger on the pulse and know exactly how much a property like yours is likely to fetch. This still needs to be a two-way process, though. If you have a particular sum you need to achieve, tell them.

Instruct your solicitor

As with the agents, you have plenty of choice here. If you have a trusted solicitor you’ve used before, that is fine, but if not, use one that is local to your estate agent, or better still, use the same one as your buyer or seller. This makes communication slicker and easier and reduces the likelihood of you having to pass messages across from one to the other.

Prepare your property

The estate agent will take professional photos that will show your property in the best light. However, it is down to you to ensure that it looks just as good in reality. Research has shown that a viewer will decide whether or not they like the place in the first 20 seconds, so to say that first impressions count is an understatement. Remove as much clutter as possible, without stripping the house of its homely feel. Ideally your home should look like a show home.

Seal the deal

When you have an offer on the table, only you can decide whether or not to accept it. However, the estate agent will be able to offer some pointers on whether they think there is room for negotiation. Remember, you’re the one paying the bill, so they are on your side! They will also be able to guide you through the mechanics of exchanging contracts and completing the sale.