Selling your house can be one of the most stressful experiences, so it’s no wonder it can be a daunting prospect. However, if you’re keen to make the house selling process as stress-free as possible, we’ve put together some top tips on how to have a hassle-free house sale.
Decorate before you put your house on the market
Before you put your house on the market, take time to do any decorating that’s necessary. If you’ve not re-decorated in years, think about giving the walls a fresh coat of paint. Some research suggests that buyers may prefer neutrally decorated homes, or spaces where they won’t have to do loads of decorating when they move in, so if you’ve currently got bright décor, you may want to consider toning it down for the purposes of selling.
Clear and tidy your house
Likewise, it’s a good move to give your house a thorough clean and tidy before you have house viewings. If you have limited storage to hide away clutter, consider where else you could store items – at a friend’s house, by renting a storage unit, or even popping things out of sight in your car! The more stream-lined and tidy your house looks, the better impression it will make to viewers.
Consider an alternative to an estate agent
Whilst most sellers tend to go down the traditional route and use an estate agent, it isn’t the only option available. One of the downsides of using an estate agent is that you can’t guarantee when your property will sell. You may have to go through numerous viewings before you get an offer, and then end up finding yourself stuck in a lengthy chain of buyers.
If you want a truly hassle-free house sale, and need to get moving quickly due to deadlines such as starting a new job, consider using a company such as Housebuyers4u. Unlike estate agents, there are no selling commission fees to pay and you could complete the transaction in as little as seven to 14 days.
Boost the curb appeal of your home
First impressions count, and that’s certainly true in the case of houses. Help boost the curb appeal of your home by cleaning the windows, re-painting your front door, mowing the lawn, weeding the garden and tidying up any other exterior paintwork.
Start de-cluttering
If there are items or furniture that you no longer want or need, then take advantage of the chance to have a pre-move clear out – you’ll save yourself some stress down the line, as they’ll be less to sort out when you’ve sold your house. If you need to make some extra cash, why not sell unwanted items on eBay?
Find a solicitor
Help save time by finding a solicitor to use for your house sale before you put your property on the market. Prices for solicitors and conveyancers do vary, as does the quality of their services, so it’s worth shopping around for the best deal for you. Don’t forget to get recommendations from anyone you know who’s moved within the last year or so and make sure you’re happy with the person you choose, as you’ll be dealing with them a fair bit during the sale of your property.
(Disclosure: collaborative post)
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Susan says
Gosh yes! To all of this, I remember it still so vividly, anyway to make it smoother is worth it
Lucy says
How funny! I’ve just been writing about making your home appealing for resale. Some great tips here, Rachel. De-cluttering is so important and very therapeutic x
Rachel @ The Ordinary Lovely says
I did nearly all of these things before we moved at the beginning of the year. The removal company said that they couldn’t believe the amount of people who don’t declutter beforehand and basically pay to move a load of stuff that they don’t actually want or need.
karen jones says
It never ceases to amaze me how many people put their homes on the market and expect people to be impressed by piles of washing, toys and rubbish everywhere! Every home I have ever sold went to the first person to view it and for over the asking price. Its not rocket science xxx
Thea Wood says
I’d also suggest packing religious artifacts/symbols before going public. And take all of your prescription medicine and hide it. A paper bag in your fridge fruit drawer is a good option.