The Twelve Days of Christmas – Property Style
I’m afraid finding your ideal home and lifestyle might just take a bit longer than twelve days, but let’s dream it doesn’t! This is how it might go;
On the First Day of Christmas
You have a dream. Every home move starts with an inkling of an idea, maybe just a touch of disquiet about your home or way of life. Even big dreams start small.
On the Second Day of Christmas
Time to get a bit serious. What is the change you are trying to make? Maybe a move to quieter country life or perhaps just the opposite, right into town next to all the shops and restaurants. Is this going to be a ‘forever’ home or just a step in the journey?
On the Third Day of Christmas
You’ve decided to sell! This is a big psychological step. Now you’ve started a campaign. Your home may be associated with all sorts of memories, but as of today, it is also an asset that needs to be sold at the highest price. Change your mindset!
On the Fourth Day of Christmas
It’s time to assemble your selling troops. The best results usually come from being surrounded by the best experts. Work out which estate agent you will use, (perhaps boosted by a property consultant to lend their expertise too), identify your solicitor now, not later, and any tradesman you’ll need to prepare your home.
On the Fifth Day of Christmas
Prepare your home properly. So many people market their property before it is fully ready – don’t! Ignore anyone that tells you that buyers will look past the water stain from last year’s leak, the drive that’s not been jet washed for years or decorations that looked great in the 80’s. They don’t! Fix, finish and add finesse to your beautiful home.
On the Sixth Day of Christmas
Show your home to maximum effect. Work out your ‘wow’ rooms and features. If you have a fantastic dining kitchen that is the hub of your home, then guess where the start of your grand tour should be? Make sure you know the route and the story; your agent should too.
On the Seventh Day of Christmas
Prepare to negotiate the sale of your home. You don’t get in life what you deserve, only what you negotiate! Prepare for a conversation (albeit via your agent) with your future buyer. Keep the conversation going with a knowledge of your home’s best features and a view of the recent prices of comparable properties. Use your experts, it’s what you’re paying them for. If all goes well celebrate success!
On the Eighth Day Christmas
Get your purchase troops together. Again an early appointment of a solicitor is a good move. If you want extra support to buy your dream home or think your future home may be found off market, a buying agent may be the order of the day.
On the Ninth Day of Christmas
It’s time to decide what you want to buy. It’s absolutely vital that any features on your shortlist are well considered ‘must haves’. Don’t depart from your shortlist, don’t waver. The wavering can be on the ’long list’; that list of features you’d love to have with your next home, but perhaps not all of them. Finally, remember location is often everything. Homes can often be changed and improved, but only motor homes have wheels!
On the Tenth Day of Christmas
Find and buy your dream home by yourself or with a buying agent. Work closely with your team and stress the seriousness and quality of your bid. Keep the conversation going and negotiate firmly but fairly. Once you’ve secured your new home, pick the right removal firm to keep your breakages and stress levels to a minimum..
On the Eleventh Day of Christmas
Keep a clear head and a sharp focus on any work required on your new home. Use the professionals around you to source quality tradesman – perhaps your surveyor or buying agent. Proceed in well measured stages and watch your dream home appear in front of your eyes.
On the Twelfth day of Christmas
Relax. Time for that mince pie and a glass of champagne, if you’re feeling festive. Moving home for many people is a major life event. It can be stressful, but also exhilarating. Sit back and congratulate yourself on a job well done.
Sheree Foy MNAEA is Principal of Source Harrogate, a buying agency and property finding service specialising in sourcing premium houses and apartments in the Harrogate district, as well as helping Sellers achieve the best outcome. For more information visit: www.sourceharrogate.co.uk, contact Sheree by e mail: shereefoy@sourceharrogate.co.uk or call 01423 788759 for a no obligation chat at an early stage.
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