Makes no bones about it, selling your home is one of the most emotive decisions you'll make in life. When the time comes to move on to pastures new, selling the place you've called home can be tough. It's not just a financial transaction. It's a rollercoaster of emotions, memories, and plenty of admin too.
It doesn't matter whether you're upsizing, downsizing or negotiating at a difficult personal time such as divorce or bereavement. Property selling at the best of times can be stressful – but it doesn't have to be that way.
Below, you'll find four battle-tested tips that can take the edge off dealing with the housing market.
Declutter in plenty of time so that you can emotionally let go
Selling up is much difficult when you're sat around a cluttered, untidy home. Make progress with decluttering and packing before you put the property on the market. This not only helps to make the photos to market the house look neater, but it also helps you mentally prepare for detaching yourself from a property and moving on to pastures new.
If you've lived in your home for a long time, the emotional attachment you'll have is natural. But by viewing the property as a product instead of your space can take the sting out of selling up and others people moving in.
Be selective with your estate agent
Your choice of estate agent can make or break how quickly you sell a home, or if you're successful in selling it at all. Get as much advice as possible from third parties on the right agent for your property. Read reviews online and speak with friends or family members that may have agents to personally recommend.
Don't be afraid to ditch an agent halfway through the process either. So long as you don't sign a contract giving the agent exclusivity to marketing your property for a set time, you can switch at any point.
Consider a more hassle-free route to a sale
In some cases, the stress surrounding a house sale is because you either a) need to sell fast to maintain the chain for your next move or b) you need the sale proceeds quickly. There is one route to consider that can solve both scenarios. To avoid the uncertainty the open market brings by making use of the best online cash home buyers in the UK
These services commit to offering a cash offer for your property within as little as 24 hours of initiating contact. If you're happy with the offer, the deal can be closed in as little as seven days, with the cash in your bank account and the property deeds sorted. It can be a very effective solution, especially if you're stressing about selling a property that's not in mint condition. That's because cash buyers are less choosy about condition and are all about getting value assets on their books.
Prepare your paperwork – your future self will thank you
Let's assume you get an acceptable offer from a prospective buyer. The transaction can then proceed at pace between you and your solicitors. It's at this point that some buyers panic as they're asked for all kinds of documents, whether it's electrical or gas appliance safety certificates, warranties for appliances or installations, proof of planning permission, or anything else that can influence the sale's completion.
Before you even market the property, put together a folder with all important documents. You can then pass this all over to your solicitor and let them handle the rest.
The property market doesn't have to be chaotic. With the right preparation and the right exit route, it's possible to keep on top of your move and reach that completion day with your faculties intact!
