A property expert has warned that homeowners make “the same mistakes over and over” when trying to sell their property. Terry Fisher, from We Buy Any Home, acknowledged that the UK housing market is experiencing turbulent times.
However, the expert says he’s identified the tough facts sellers need to hear before taking the plunge to maximise their chance of success. Terry Fisher said: “It’s arguably one of the toughest markets to sell in right now, but we’re seeing the same mistakes over and over.”
He added: “If homeowners are serious about selling, they need to hear and respond accordingly to critiques.” From investing in professional photos to getting the asking price right, here are the expert-approved tips and why they could make all the difference.
According to the expert, it’s important that prospective buyers can picture themselves in the home. Fisher said: “Personal touches make a house a home, but they can be a major distraction for buyers. Too much clutter or highly personalised decor makes it difficult for them to imagine themselves living in the space.
“Decluttering and depersonalising allows buyers to envision their belongings there. Neutral colours, tidy rooms and minimal decorations help create a blank canvas that appeals to a wider audience. Sellers won’t always want to hear critique on their decor choices, but it’s all in the best interest of the sale.”
Adjusting a property’s price tag might be key to getting a sale over the line, said Fisher. He explained: “Homeowners get an idea of how much their house is worth and sometimes the harsh reality is it’s less than they expect.
“It can be difficult to hear that your pride and joy won’t fetch the price you’d like – especially if you have invested a lot of time, care and money into it. But it’s an estate agent’s job to break this news to you.”
“Maintaining a luscious lawn takes time and effort, so many people have opted to have artificial alternatives laid,” the expert said. “But in recent years this has become a big turn-off when it comes to dipping into the housing market. There is an environmental impact, of course, while the look of fake grass just isn’t doing it for modern buyers and it could cost you £15,000 in fees.”
Fisher said: “The number one tip I’d tell most sellers is go out when you have viewings. Don’t be there when potential buyers come to see your place.
“An estate agent will have a non-biased opinion and be able to share tips on how to maximise the house. The kitchen you love? An agent might suggest how easy it would be to rip out.”
“In today’s digital world, most buyers start their property search online. Poor quality photos or a lack of engaging marketing can mean a home gets overlooked,” pointed out the expert.
He added: “Professional photography can make a huge difference. A well lit, properly staged home will generate far more interest than dark or cluttered photos. A pro will also spot issues that might put sellers off, such as areas that need tidying, marks on the kitchen cupboards or hiding the dog’s chew toy.”
According to Fisher, filling in your pond could make your property more attractive to some buyers. “For those with young families, ponds can be dangerous, plus there is the cost to maintain them and also the potential for attracting pests such as rats and mice,” he reasoned.
“Put all of these together and you can see why ponds are often seen as undesirable and therefore knock up to five grand off the value of your property.”
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