There is a wealth of information out there for first-time buyers, but the same can't be said for first-time sellers.
Selling a home for the first time can be a complicated, daunting and stressful process, so we don't think it's right that the amount of advice for this demographic is so lacking.
Below, using our experience as estate agents operating across Essex and Kent, we point out some of the top tips to making that first sale as pain-free as possible...
Target your home effectively
If you are selling a home for the first time, you are likely to be upsizing from a smaller home to a larger one.
Consequently, your target demographic is almost certain to be first-time buyers. This demographic, likely to be young, tech-savvy and time-poor, will be searching for properties online through their smartphones, laptops and tablets.
With this in mind, your online sales strategy needs to be of the highest quality. Property portals will be the first port of call for many – and competition on these platforms is fierce – so you need to do all you can to make your property stand out from the crowd.
Talk to your estate agent about the ways in which you can do this. High-quality photos and snappy, engagingly written descriptions will definitely help.
Get the asking price right
A tricky thing to get right – after all, if you set it too low your risk selling yourself short, while if you set it too high you risk deterring would-be buyers.
You need to be realistic and fair with your asking price, but you'll also want to as much as possible for your home.
This is where a good and reliable agent is worth their weight in gold, taking into account the local market, national trends and other variables to set an asking price that will help to get your home sold.
Choose the right agent
Which leads us onto arguably the most important step of all, picking the right estate agency in the first place.
A good one will guide you through the sales process with the minimum of fuss, making sure they are on hand at all times to deal with any issues, complaints or stumbling blocks.
Inevitably, there will be delays and complications when it comes to house sales – that's just the nature of the beast – but if you have an agent on your side who can deal with everything in a calm, professional and good-humoured manner the chances of things going smoothly are that much higher.
A good agent will help you to produce a winning marketing strategy – both online and traditional – show your home off to buyers when it comes to viewings and do all they can to get your home sold for the best possible price.
Depersonalise, depersonalise, depersonalise
Yes, you want your home to come across as homely and cosy – that will have significant appeal to buyers.
On the other hand, you don't want it to appear too lived-in or personalised, because that might put would-be buyers off.
They want to visualise themselves living in the home they might purchase, which is less likely if there are family photographs and items of great sentimental value on show everywhere.
It's a fine balance to strike – depersonalising while also not making your home appear soulless – but getting it right will help to give your sales pitch a massive boost.
For more information about how you can get your home sold for the first time, please get in contact with Balgores Property Group at one of our many branches.
We operate across Kent and Essex. If you would like to know the worth of your property in the current marketplace, check out our instant online valuation tool.
