Once you’ve made the decision to move it can be very tempting to launch yourself into calling agents. You’ll want to start arranging valuations on your current home and booking viewings at possible new homes but, like most things in life, you have to do the dull routine stuff before you can move onto the fun things.
Here is our ‘List of six – things to do before you do anything’:
1 – Address your finances
Whether you’re looking to move up the ladder or downsize, you may still need a mortgage. If that’s the case, make sure you know how much you have to play with and then also calculate all the add on costs that will undoubtedly come up.
2 – Get an idea of the value of your current home
You don’t need an agent for this, just a laptop (or phone), an internet connection and a trusted friend who you can rely on to give you their honest opinion.
Look at the portals (Rightmove and Zoopla) and head to the ‘House Prices’ section. This will show how much properties in your area have sold for recently.
Next head to the ‘For Sale’ section and you’ll see what other homes in the area are on the market for.
In both cases take a look at the property images and descriptions and ask yourself this key question ‘How does my home compare?’
We all think our homes are better than the neighbours – better layout, better design etc, but what does your trusted friend think? Later on, you’ll get a much more accurate valuation from an agent but it’s worth having a ballpark figure in mind before you have that conversation.
3 – Have a look at the sort of properties you’re interested in buying
Will the money you can raise from 1 and 2 above be enough to buy you the house of your dreams, in the right area?
If not, do you need to adjust your plans or just put them on hold for a little while?
Sometimes we speak with sellers who say they need to sell their home for x because their new home is likely to cost y, but unfortunately it doesn’t work like that.
**Tip – Hold this thought for when you talk to agents. If the agent can successfully negotiate the price for your sale, they may well be able to negotiate just as successfully on your purchase too.
4 – Minor repairs
Make a start on those minor repairs that still need doing. Just the little things like replacing any broken window handles, repairing torn wall paper, fixing hinges etc., now is not the time to be installing a new bathroom, no matter how tired you think yours is looking.
Sometimes we get so used to the little imperfections at home that they just don’t register anymore, so try taking a walk around your home with your trusted friend and ask them to comment.
5 – Declutter
I know it’s not exciting and for the procrastinators amongst us it can be difficult and time-consuming, but given that so many people move home because they’re bursting at the seams in their current home, you need to give the impression that your home is super spacious. This means decluttering ruthlessly! If you can’t bear to be parted from certain items but they’re not adding to the presentation of your home, then box them up and put them in the loft/ garage/ storage.
6 – Clean, clean, clean
Just like a good spring clean, giving your home a really thorough once over now, will make preparing for photos and viewings much easier in future. Spend particular time focusing on the often-forgotten areas like the grouting between bathroom tiles, windows (inside and out), the oven door(!), and also the usual suspects like all things chrome, glass and wood. Those reflective surfaces need to sparkle. In a previous blog Springtime Selling, you’ll find lots of helpful cleaning hints and tips!
Once you’ve addressed these six items, you’ll be in the perfect position to think about finding the right agent for you. In Enfield, Barnet and Haringey there is stiff competition among agents, our next ‘List of Six’ will help you with your selection process.
