Presentation Is Everything
Take a step back and look at your home from a buyer’s perspective. What are your thoughts, and what changes would you make, if any? Once you instruct us as your agent of choice, we will make recommendations on how to optmise the presentation of your home before marketing to a potential group of buyers - locally, nationally and internationally.
Such recommendations may include the following and in most cases requiring small and inexpensive changes:
- The condition of your property internally and externally. For instance, first impressions definitely count, so what potential buyers may see externally will have an impact. So, have a tidy front garden and entrance to your home which is inviting and welcoming.
- Staging your home for viewing, which may involve decluttering and packing away personal effects, ready for their new home.
Once these recommendations have been addressed, we can progress onto photographing your home. We work with a number of photographers specialising in this industry. They understand the need to stage and position each room, and we will work with them during the photo shoot to achieve the best shots.
In addition, they will provide a floorplan for each level, with measurements for each room and overall size of your property. We will also recommend a virtual walkthrough, which will allow all buyers to view your property online. This is an option that has proved very successful, especially for buyers not local to the area. Virtual is the way forward.
If not already obtained, you will need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which we can arrange for you. Alternatively, if you bought your home within the last 10-years, you may wish to check the EPC register for a copy (epcregister.com).
Introducing Your Home to Buyers
During our initial consultation and staging, with your assistance we will familiarise ourselves with your home to ensure we highlight the best features and encourage buyers to visualise the home as their own by exploring the potential of each space.
We will ask you to share your experience of living in your current home, and what you loved and enjoyed the most. This will also include the neighbourhood and location, and what it brought to you and your family during your time there. Your story will help us in both marketing and showcasing your home.
For potential buyers’ to fully immerse themselves in the viewing, we highly recommend the homeowners to leave during this time. We want the buyers’ to visualise the space as their own and giving them room to do so means there being fewer people around during that time. If you have any pets, again and if possible, please take them with you as it will only be for a short while.
We will never spring a viewing on you, as we will ensure you are given plenty of notice to make the necessary arrangements. We also conduct new ‘Property Launch’ events on an assigned weekend, with your agreement, to encourage as many viewings during an allotted time where interested buyers’ will book a slot in advance. This will not involve numerous people traipsing through your home at the same time. On the contrary, it will be organised and civil, ensuring high traction and interest.
Our Promise to You
As we mentioned already, we are in partnership with you, and we will support you from start to finish, and beyond the point of completion. We will communicate with you regularly and update you on all viewings and feedback, suggestions on how to make improvements from feedback, and so on. We know how stressful this time can be, and we know how exciting it can be too, and that is the experience we will create for you. We have your back!
We will present your home in the best light on the property portals - Rightmove, Zoopla and On The Market - on our website that has a national stretch, among our network of agents nationally and internationally, through the ever evolving social media platforms, and of course, your immediate neighbourhood. Letting your neighbours know you are ready to launch your property to the market will also increase interest unexpectedly.
We would also ask you to not overlook the power of a ‘For Sale’ sign, although it is entirely your decision on whether to have one or not. However, having one will draw interest, and again, from someone who may not be looking to buy but just happens to be driving by your home.
Friendly Reminder
By assigning a solicitor even before a viewing or offer has been made, can make a huge difference to this entire process. As you may well know, there is a lot of paperwork that you, the homeowner, will need to complete regarding information on your property, fixtures and fittings, structural details and issues, and so on.
From the get go, ask your solicitor for the property particulars you will need to complete now, rather than when an offer is accepted, along with the information they need from you to be able to act on your behalf. By doing this early on, just imagine how much time, (in weeks) you will save.