Boxing Day - time to either hit the sales, watch a football match or make bubble and squeak with the Christmas leftovers. But it's also peak time for buyers to plan their move. Here's how sellers can capitalise on the trend...
There’s no ‘ideal’ time to put your house up for sale. It all comes down to your individual circumstances, plans and personal finances.
However, if you happen to have your home on the market for Boxing Day you could expect to see more hits on your online listing.
For the day after Christmas is one of the most popular for people to go online house hunting.
A recent survey by property agent network, Martin &Co, found a smaller proportion of people – one in four – were aware of the Boxing Day property rush.
But, in fact, it is well regarded in the property and mortgage industry that the ‘down time’ afforded to people during the festive season sends many a would-be house hunter down a property rabbit hole.
If you are not on the market yet, or not quite ready to get your house onto the books of your local estate agent, never fear. Martin & Co said the period beginning mid-December to the end of January was the time when there was most interest in the property market.
With that in mind it has offered some tips for sellers to help them prepare their homes for sale ready for the Boxing Day and January crowds.
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Home improvements – fix, replace and tidy
Preparing your home for sale is the first step in selling your home. Make a list of what needs fixing, replacing or tidying and begin to work through the curated list.
Tackling an area at a time will make the process easier and less time consuming, such as solely focusing on the garden before working on the kitchen.
Simple and inexpensive home improvements can increase your property’s value and make it more appealing to buyers, helping it sell faster and for a better price.
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Find a good estate agent
Selling your home can be a stressful process, and having an estate agent will help streamline the process for yourself.
They play a significant role in selling your home smoothly for the right price by providing advice, valuing your home, advertising it effectively and negotiating on your behalf.
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Get a valuation
Arranging a property valuation is next on your to-do list. The person carrying out the valuation will inspect the property based on size and number of rooms, fixtures and fittings, and both the condition and age of the property.
Your agent will then be able to tell you how much your home is worth and help scope the budget for your new home.
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Set the right asking price
To successfully sell your property, one of the most significant factors is the asking price. If the price is too high, you may struggle to attract buyers. In contrast, if the price is set too low, you will not receive the best value for your home.
Finding the right price ensures that your home is competitive in the market, attracts serious buyers, and increases the chances of a successful and profitable sale.
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Find a good solicitor
By having a conveyancing solicitor, you will not need to worry about the legal side of selling your home as they ensure everything is correct and that nothing goes wrong. A good solicitor can save you from problems such as hidden issues with the property or paperwork mistakes.
Your conveyancer can also run property searches for your new home to confirm you receive no surprises, such as being in a high flood risk area.
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Stage your house for photos and viewings
Staging your house when you’re selling is advisable because it ensures your home looks its absolute best. It gives the viewer the best first impression of the property, whether that viewing is online or in person, and can sell a lifestyle to the viewers.
Staging can often lead to quicker sales and potentially higher offers, so it’s a valuable step in the selling process.
