Spring is the perfect season to put your home on the market. As nature awakens with budding blossoms and vibrant gardens, your home gets an extra glow in the sunlight. It’s no secret that spring has always been prime time for homebuyers, and guess what? It still holds true today, as confirmed by the property portals. So, if you’re eyeing a summer move, Easter is your golden ticket to kickstart the selling process!
If you’re thinking of selling your home, or your home is on the market right now, you may have some questions about how to make your move a success. Here are some of the questions we get asked at this time of year by our clients at Weavers:
“My house has been on the market since wintertime – now my garden is flowering, should I get new photographs taken?”
You know how winter garden photos can appear a bit gloomy, with bare trees, shrubs, and muddy lawns? It’s not the most inviting sight for potential buyers. But as your garden begins to bloom again, capturing its renewed beauty becomes crucial for attracting interest. Here at Weavers, we understand this importance, which is why we provide our clients with complimentary updates of fresh, colorful foliage images. Ensuring your online listings are always up-to-date and captivating. Why not consider asking your agent if they offer a similar service?
And for tips on how to style your garden for selling, consider reading our blog post here.
“If I get an offer now, when should I expect to be moved by?”
Across the country, the typical timeframe from accepting an offer to handing over the keys ranges from 12 to 16 weeks. However, this timeline can vary significantly depending on various factors such as your buyer’s circumstances, financial requirements, potential sale complications, and more.
In an ideal scenario where your sale is straightforward, without a chain, and your buyer doesn’t require a mortgage, you could expect to complete the move by summer, roughly within 10 weeks. Yet, any unforeseen complications or delays in the chain can extend this timeframe considerably.
For tailored guidance on your specific situation and expected timescales, it’s best to consult with an expert. We’re here to help and offer advice regarding your move. Feel free to reach out to us at 01702 411146 for a chat about your concerns and queries.
“I don’t know how I’m going to keep my house tidy during the Easter holidays! Should I take a break from the market?”
We feel your pain! Selling a house with children off school is never an easy task, but there are some things you can do to help make your viewings successful and stress-free:
- Encourage (bribe) your children to tidy up and keep tidy. Daily inspections with reward stickers for younger children and cash for older teens usually does the trick.
- Keep the children out of the house as much as possible, so your home stays tidier!
- Takeaways or eating out if you have an imminent viewing booked will save you having to clean your kitchen.
- Resist the urge to do ‘messy’ playtime with the kids if you have viewings arranged – no finger painting, Play-doh or baking!
- Make sure you’re out of the house for viewings, so you don’t feel stressed – being under pressure to have perfectly-behaved children will not result in an enjoyable viewing, for you or your buyers!
- If you have a full house and really would rather not have to cope with viewings during the school holidays, tell your agent. They’ll be understanding if you want to take a break from the market until the kids go back to school.
“I’m thinking about moving home – is now a good time?”
A great question! We’re sure you’ve heard that the market is starting to improve after a challenging 2023. We believe that the worst of the market is long behind us after an extremely positive start to 2024. We expect prices to remain stable this year. What does this mean for you if you’re thinking of selling? Well, if the market continues as it currently is, you can feel confident you’d be selling your home in a good market. If you tried to sell your home last year, now would be a great time to consider trying again.
“What are most buyers looking for right now?”
Some homes are inevitably in more demand than others – our buyers are looking for specific features, like work-from-home space, and often want a home with potential to extend. Bungalows seem to be very popular right now, as are homes with land. Whatever your home has to offer, we’d love to have a chat with you and tell you whether we have buyers registered who are looking for a home just like yours. Just give us a call on 01702 411146 or drop me an email at team@weaversestates.co.uk to get the ball rolling.
“I thought this was supposed to be a good market, but my home still hasn’t had much interest. What can I do?”
It can be incredibly disheartening when you’re eager to sell your home, yet struggle to attract interest, especially when neighboring properties are flying off the market. But fear not, as there are three crucial factors that drive a successful property sale: presentation, price, and promotion.
Firstly, the presentation of your home plays a significant role. Modern rooms, particularly kitchens and bathrooms, can greatly enhance its appeal to potential buyers. Secondly, setting a competitive price is essential; being realistic rather than overly optimistic ensures that your home remains attractive to prospective buyers. Lastly, effective marketing is paramount. The quality of images, written descriptions, and brochures can make a significant difference in generating interest.
Click here for more info on our bespoke property marketing.
At Weavers, we’ve witnessed firsthand the impact of improved marketing strategies. By enhancing presentation, styling, and photography, we’ve successfully sold properties without adjusting the price at all. So, if you’re uncertain whether your current marketing truly showcases your home’s best features, we’ll provide candid feedback and guidance.
Feel free to email us a link to your home at team@weaversestates.co.uk, and we’ll offer personalised advice on how to enhance your marketing approach and attract the right buyer.
“Our garden is looking lovely, but it’s still a bit muddy. Can we ask viewers to take off their shoes before they view our home?”
Yes! We always take off our shoes before going into a home, and so we expect the viewers to, too. Carpets with muddy footprints aren’t attractive to buyers, so let’s make sure yours stay clean!
Get in touch
If you have any questions at all about any of the points raised in this article, or you’d just like a friendly, no-strings chat about your house sale, we’d love to help you.
Call me on 01702 411146, email me on team@weaversestates.co.uk or WhatsApp me on 07823 323895 and let’s get you moving.
Zak Weavers, proud owner of Weavers Estate Agents.