Old Speckled Hen Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Well we've bitten the bullet now that DH can retire early and the house will go on the market at the end of March. We are looking for that dream small smallholding I've refreshed the paintwork, moved a lot of stuff to the "lock up" and spring cleaned.....oh and I'm slogging through the leaves in the garden. Anything else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 DON'T DO IT!!!! It's torture. Okay, maybe it was just our last house sale which turned into a living nightmare, but we got there in the end. I'm in no rush to do it again though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yvonne Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 When you have your energy assessment done, put in all energy efficient light bulbs (even if you take them back out the next day)- believe it or not that makes a difference to the rating you get ! We are simply replacing the old ones as they break - seems more "green" than chucking out a perfectly good bulb before its time to me (unless it's one which you leave on almost all the time) and got marked down for it - rant over ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Make sure that you have any FENSA certificates for double glazing or gas safety certificates etc that you may need to hand. You would be amazed how many people don't have a clue where any of their instructions and guarentees for their home are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 DON'T DO IT!!!! It's torture. Oh go away!!!! I swore that this was the last place and they'd have to take me out in a box......it's where I retired to for heavens sake! It's a bit like childbirth though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 Make sure that you have any FENSA certificates for double glazing or gas safety certificates etc that you may need to hand. You would be amazed how many people don't have a clue where any of their instructions and guarentees for their home are. Errrrrrrr you've lost me already. I've never heard of those. We bought the house three years ago and didn't have any of those Edited to say....I do have instructions for all the things that need them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 People buy a house based on feeling, as much as anything else, and when they walk in they want to imagine themselves living there. Get rid of anything too extreme or personal - photographs are fine, but if you have really unusual artwork or oddities, or chickenalia all over the kitchen ( that'll be me then!) or stuffed toys on the bookcase() it's worth putting it out of sight - make it as neutral as possible. And obvious I know, but 'kerb appeal' really counts, make sure the front garden is tidy, and have a hanging basket or a pot of some primulas or similar outside. I've gone to view houses and been put off before I got in the door. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 De-personalise a bit - eg your collection of plates on the wall may look great but the potential buyers want to see their bits there instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Not that you would but... I'd make sure there's no old crusty dog food all over the kitchen floor and also trodden into the dining room carpet and that no-one 'visits' the loo and stinks out the entire top floor just before a viewing. We didn't look round THAT house for long I can tell you! Talking of smells though, fresh bread or coffee is supposed to subliminally be inviting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 If you have an open fire - have it lit. Some discreet houseplants or flowers dotted about are welcoming - not over the top though, just a bunch of tulips or carnations. Clutter free worktops, minimalist ornaments, tidy gardens & weed free drives. No dirty washing baskets or piles on show, that goes for clean clothes ready for ironing too. No magazines or papers lying around. If people feel it's right they will buy it anyway - don't spend loads on new this & that & decorating, as it may not be to your buyers taste! Just clean & neautral goes a long way. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 You will only need a FENSA certificate if you have had double glazing installed since you moved in, if you didn't have one when you bought. I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 If you have under worktop lighting in your kitchen,have it lit,as it makes for a cosy glow. People are tending to buy the lifestyle as well as the house so make it as homely looking as possible,without it looking cluttered. Apart from that just keep it clean,neat & tidy - much easier if you don't have children in the house Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share Posted February 8, 2011 Thanks everybody. I remember when I was house hunting up here everything was so much more relaxed. Houses were clean but not tidy if you understand what I mean. Estate agent said not to go too mad de-cluttering as it was a family home and "we are in Cumbria not Notting Hill, after all" Oh well, fingers crossed .........and I must remember to keep the heating on!!! Oh and any opinions on who should show people round? I'm happy doing it myself( at least I can explain that the noisy cockerel is ours not some dreadful neighbour's ) but would it be better for agents to do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Around here the agents insist upon doing it themselves,& ask you to leave the house. When I last moved 19 years ago,we did it ourselves,but it seems that times have changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CallyChook Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I'd let the agents do it. If I were showing people around, not only would I get upset that they were going to be living in "my territory", I'd end up giving suggestions that may not to be the viewers taste. For instance, I'd say "this room makes an excellent room for dining" but then go on to chat about dinner parties - and the viewers might not be the kind that like entertaining from home. Or I'd end up boring them with anecdotes that in effect personalise the house just as much as clutter. It's just how I am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatieB Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 If you are showing people round do not be tempted at 10 a.m. on a saturday morning to be drunk, with a bottle of wine open and offer the explaination that you are celebrating something. And then do not proceed to continue talking and talking at the viewers without picking up the hint that they are trying desperately to leave (its true) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 This will be a very touchy subject, but I think it's vital to be realistic on price. Some agents over value your home to get you to put it on the market with them, only to have to reduce the price when it doesn't sell. I think it's better to sell a house quickly than overprice it and have it hanging round on the market for ages (which makes people wonder if there's something wrong with it). When I sold my last house, there were two other similar houses already on the market close by, at the same price. They'd been on the market for AGES. The agent told me to market mine at the same price as the other two, but I insisted on pricing mine at £5,000 less than the other two. My house was only viewed once and the viewers put in an offer straight away. The other two houses did sell eventually, but for a LOT less than I sold mine for. How quickly you want to move is an issue here though, I'd found a house I wanted to buy and didn't want to lose it waiting to sell my house, if you're in no rush, you might want to sit it out!! Good luck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickendoodle Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I agree that the agent should do the viewings. When we sold our last house we showed people around and it is very hard not to get defensive when the viewers criticise something. It also hurts when they criticise something you particularly love or are very proud of ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Yup get the agent to do viewings- its part of what you are paying them their outrageous fees for isnt it? paint everything magnolia and get rid of anything wacky and personal, put all the lights on even if broad daylight and a couple of vases of fresh flowers dont hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share Posted February 8, 2011 If you are showing people round do not be tempted at 10 a.m. on a saturday morning to be drunk, with a bottle of wine open and offer the explaination that you are celebrating something. And then do not proceed to continue talking and talking at the viewers without picking up the hint that they are trying desperately to leave (its true) That really is funny.....Good on you!!! They didn't deserve to live in your house,anyway. This will be a very touchy subject, but I think it's vital to be realistic on price. Some agents over value your home to get you to put it on the market with them, only to have to reduce the price when it doesn't sell. Tell me!! When I sold the house in London the % difference between top and bottom valuations was some 36% ! And some agents......well I was left speechless. Apologies to any on here but I'm sure as an Omleteer you are the most wonderful estate agent in the world Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 If the agents are showing people round, make sure the agent is on time. We're moving out of one rental property to another and had a viewing here last week. The agent was late and i ended up showing the people round myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted March 7, 2011 Author Share Posted March 7, 2011 The agents have got the house on at lightening speed.....2 days and we have had 2 viewings. The second couple were complete time wasters. It was a lovely sunny day and they rounded off their walk and pub lunch with viewing our house. Almost admitted it!!!!! Aaaaaaaargh. I guess I will have to get used to it. I have decided to do weekday viewings and let agents get on with the weekend ones. I'm working on an advert to put on HouseLadder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 Make sure you are with an agent that lists on rightmove & zoopla. We sold one quick by it being on rightmove. It was also no upward chain, so perhaps that attracted buyers? We did drop the price as the general market changed - we adjusted accordingly & it sold. You should always request feedback from the agents on any viewings, as they are not too brilliant in updating you & sometimes minor changes can earn you that sale! Good luck! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted March 7, 2011 Author Share Posted March 7, 2011 Yes, we're on Rightmove. Feels really strange looking at our own house through agents' eyes. I sold my last one on Houseladder and all it cost was the £99.99 for the ad It was a difficult sale as although it is a lovely big house it is on a main road and the agent's feedback was always..."love the house but it's on a main road". For heaven's sake, why do some people look in the first place? We got a good price right at the top of the market in late 2007. It was on with agents for nearly a year and I was beginning to despair. I put it on Houseladder, negotiated a small price reduction and it was snapped up straightaway. It was bought by a couple with a toddler and by the time they moved in prices were falling as were interest rates and they managed to do all the alterations we talked about and were pivotal in the sale as they had much smaller repayment rates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted March 7, 2011 Author Share Posted March 7, 2011 The board has just gone up. That'll have the neighbours' curtains twitching. I'm going to tell them all that we're moving because somebody doesn't like our cockerel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
