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Remove things you don’t usually use on a daily basis and, if possible, larger pieces of furniture - giving rooms a more spacious feel.

Hallway- clear away coats.
Bathroom- hide products.
Kitchen- clear all work surfaces and remove towels and bins.

Remove personal ornaments and posters from children’s bedrooms.

Freshen Up

A fresh coat of neutral paint and re-grouting tiles in the kitchen and bathroom are cheap and effective ways of smartening up a tired-looking property.

Taking down dark, heavy curtains, strategically placed flowers and well-positioned lights/lamps all help to show off a property to its full potential.

Clean Up

A spotless house is essential. Hiring professional cleaners to clean throughout would be money well spent. Focus on bathrooms and kitchens and finish off with fluffy white towels and ironed bed linen in bedrooms.

It is a good idea to instruct a solicitor early to apply for title deeds and prepare draft contracts. Gather together all important paperwork for the property - certificates and any valid work guarantees, such as for woodworm, damp, structural, etc.

Valuation & Selling Price

Valuing is not an exact science -there are many factors and variables to take into consideration. Take advantage of the Internet and sites such as Hometrack.com and its local housing reports to give yourself a head-start on establishing a realistic price for your property. Take this report and use it with your agent and their comparables to agree a realistic and achievable price for your property.

Spread the Word

Always have a board up (people drive round at weekends) and tell your neighbours, friends and colleagues. Word of mouth is a powerful and effective marketing tool - you never know who might have been waiting for your house to come on the market.

Prepare for Viewings

First impressions are vital. Tidy up - give the house “curb appeal”, freshen up the front door and polish any metal and brass fittings. Leave pets with neighbours if possible. Turn on lights and heating and open windows to air the property.

Showing a Property

When you are showing potential buyers around your property establish an order. Smallest rooms first, best rooms last. Always allow them to walk into a room first - the more people in a room, the smaller it feels. Do not overload with details. Focus on the positive features and benefits of your property.

Choosing the Right Buyer

The highest bidder is not necessarily the best option. Listen to your agent’s advice and the information they have gathered on them and their circumstances and status.

Offers

Your agent should submit every offer received and will qualify and verify the position of the buyer. Offers will be submitted both verbally and in writing. Compromise is key to securing a deal. Know your limits - minimum price, time-scales and what fixtures and fittings you will need, or with which you can negotiate.

Sale Agreed - Completion

This is where the agent’s hard work and effort pays off. The longer it takes to reach exchange of contracts the higher the chances of the sale falling through. Establish regular contact with both your agent and solicitor to keep channels of communication open. Working together as a team will help you reach a swift and satisfactory completion on the deal.



Hopefully you will have found the above tips and advice on selling your house informative, but remember the most important factor when choosing your estate agent is to ask questions:
"Why should you give them your house to sell?"
"How do they stand out from the crowd?"
"What makes them different or better than other estate agents?"

Remember, your home is invariably your largest asset and the right estate agent will treat it accordingly.