Guide to Preparing a House for Sale

If you’re looking to move home, there are various factors to consider when preparing a house for sale. From maintaining kerb appeal to carrying out minor repairs, you will need to ensure you are presenting your property at its best for any potential buyers. In this guide, we share some practical tips to help you make your home more saleable, along with EPCs and what to ask estate agents.

How do you make your house more sellable?

There are several ways to increase the saleability of your home. We have listed some ideas below:

• Declutter and tidy your home: It’s important to give potential buyers a good first impression when they view your property. If you need to free up some space, you could rent a storage unit and move clutter out of your home. Position pretty objects around rooms to make them feel homely and use mirrors to help create the illusion of space.

• Carry out minor repairs: Potential buyers will be calculating every cost when viewing your home, so make sure any small repairs or maintenance has been done. Fix any cracks in the wall, mend broken doorknobs, and cover threadbare carpets with rugs.

• Freshen up tired walls: If a room looks dark or dull, it can be worth repainting in a light neutral colour to make the space appear bigger and brighter. This will also help people to envisage how they could live in your home.

• Keep your home clean: Before you put your house on the market, wash carpets and give your bathroom and kitchen a deep clean. You never know when someone might arrange a viewing so get into the habit of cleaning your home frequently just in case.

• Avoid strong smells: A house that smells bad is a big turnoff for a potential buyer. Open windows to air your property, empty bins, keep drains clear, and clean any upholstery that smells musty. Fill your home with good smells like scented flowers, freshly baked bread or freshly made coffee.

• Maintain kerb appeal: By keeping your driveway and front garden well-maintained, this will encourage people to book a viewing. Clean your roofline if your gutters are clogged with debris and remember to weed your back garden regularly.

What to ask estate agents when selling

Once you are happy that your home is ready for sale, you will need to get a valuation by an estate agent. It’s recommended to ask a few agents for valuations, so you can compare their findings and make an informed decision. Before engaging an estate agent, carefully check their reviews to make sure they have a good reputation.

Also, as estate agents’ fees will vary, you may need to decide between someone offering fixed costs or commission-based fees. Always check the small print in estate agent contracts as the minimum tie-in period can vary between 4 to 16 weeks.

Your estate agent should ask you if you have an up-to-date EPC (energy performance certificate). If you haven’t got one, they can usually arrange this for you using a local surveyor. It’s worth noting that an EPC is increasingly affecting the saleability of properties. If your home has a low score (D or below), this can mean your property will cost more to heat. You should also check the EPC of any property you are looking to buy for the same reason.

When someone makes a viable offer on your property, it’s time to engage an experienced conveyancer. They will liaise and negotiate with the buyer’s conveyancer with the aim of completing the sale in a timely manner.

Your Trusted Conveyancers in Leicester 

Moving home is one of the biggest decisions you are ever likely to make, so it’s important to get it right. If you’re planning to move house, always use a professional conveyancing team with property solicitors. This will give you full reassurance that if any complex matters arise in relation to your property, they can be dealt with efficiently, reducing the risk of delays.

At Salusbury Harding & Barlow, our team of capable property solicitors and conveyancers have decades of experience and expertise. Whether you are looking to sell or buy a freehold or leasehold property, we will explain everything in plain English. Our aim is to help you complete your house sale in a timely manner. We will also ensure all property searches are carried out on your new property, so you can make an informed decision on your purchase.

If you need an experienced conveyancer, get in touch or email: adnan@shbsolicitors.co.uk to arrange a face-to-face or telephone appointment.