Information for sellers
The process
Property Valuation
There’s no right or wrong when it comes to valuing how much a property is worth. If you were to get a number of opinions on value there is likely to be quite a variation; from the realistic to the optimistic purely to win you over and all points in-between. We aim to give you a range, an explanation as to why thus in turning helping you decide on an asking price and the right strategy for you.
When you place your home on the market, you can rest assured that our objective is for you to receive the best possible level of service as well as experience our vast in-depth experience of selling property in the local area in order to get the best possible price for you and there are different ways of achieving this depending on your circumstance and the amount of activity in the property market.
We use our unique, personable and proven approach to market and sell your property.
First impressions count
We’re all familiar with the tips about brewing coffee and baking fresh bread. Although you don’t need to go to quite those lengths, it does pay to present your property at it’s best.
The more effort you put in, the better sale price you stand to achieve.
We will give you tips about what is worth spending time and money on.
You should highlight the most attractive features of your property. Declutter, make sure lightbulbs work, tidy your wardrobes (people will open them), plant bright flowers in the window boxes, hide the dustbins and finish any unfinished tasks. It’s more about effort than expenditure but it never does any harm to critique your property through the eyes of others.
Presentation is extremely important as it maximises the desirability and value of your home. We take great care and attention over every aspect of your property particulars. With quality photographs helps to present your property in the best light and concise factual details allows prospective buyers to quickly become familiar with each of the main features of your home. Our specialist staff have extensive experience advising sellers within the Eastbourne and surrounding areas. We can provide specialist and dedicated advice not only on sales issues but also sound guidance on internal and external presentation together with the careful management and administration of Open Days at your property if deemed necessary.
Viewings and Video Tours
We strongly encourage our sellers to pop out whilst we conduct the viewings as it give the buyer a better opportunity to decide if the property is for them, but the choice is yours. We offer Open house / Open days as they can be a useful way of getting people looking at a property in a condensed time, this also creates excitement since buyers know that others are interested – but it doesn’t suit every property.
We constantly review the way we do things and are always looking to see how we can improve each and every detail of our service to you. As an example, when a prospective buyer wishes to view your property, we can offer them much more than a postcode, general directions to your property. Our job is to actively promote property, create a “buzz” and excitement, then from that momentum get a number of offers and in turn the best price. This doesn’t happen just by advertising and sitting back waiting for the telephone to ring.
We often sell property “off the market” without advertising, as we have an extensive database of prospective purchasers and so if a discreet approach appeals to you then sometimes this is effective, as buyers like the idea of being the first to know about somewhere. Open days are a useful way of getting people looking at a property in a condensed time, this also creates excitement since buyers know that others are interested.
The point is that we aim to attract the right buyer, not necessarily the first buyer. That takes planning, regular communication and hard work.
During this time you can expect us to be in constant touch and we’ll update you after each viewing.
We know that the small things matter. We’ll appoint a single, dedicated point of contact that you can rely on. You’ll never have to ask twice because we’ll always be one step ahead of you, anticipating your questions.
Proceeding with a sale/Managing offers and the sale
Negotiating a sale is a skill and as your representative we manage the process for you. This is where we come into our own – it’s what we do every day. On occasions and if there is particularly strong interest then we might use a sealed or best bid tender in order to achieve the best price. We undertake the necessary check to confirm that your buyers have the required funds and ability to proceed and if they are selling a property we speak with the agent to confirm their situation.
We’re here to reassure you, provide you with expert guidance and advice in order to arm you with all the information you need to make a decision, be that accepting an offer or agreeing to take the property off the market. Believe it our not, recent statistics have shown that in today’s fast-moving market, one in three property sales fail to complete with the main problems being a breakdown in communication and buyers and sellers not understanding the process. Therefore, we feel that Sales progression is an essential and key part of the property selling process which begins when an offer is accepted and continues right through the legal process and right up to exchange of contracts and completion. As an agent we are able to speak to both you and the buyer and the respective solicitors, finance providers, surveyors and advisors. This allows us to look after your best interests and coordinate the sale within the agreed timescale and ensure that everyone is meeting the expected milestones along the way. Thus ensuring that we are alert to any warning signs, and any milestones that are not being met. Not only that, but we will keep all parties updated right up until completion, as we strongly believe that having a good understanding of the legal process and the pitfalls which can occur is paramount with communication being the key.
This can make the difference between a stress free and enjoyable move or a nightmare situation!
Completion and handing the keys over
Congratulations, contracts have been exchanged and now it’s time to pack. As a rule completion is around midday, we will not under any circumstance hand out the keys until your solicitor has received the money and instructs us to do so.
With large majority of our business stemming from recommendations and repeat business, it’s really important to us that we consistently do a great job.