| TOP STORIES |  | | | | | | FEATURES | | | | | | MAYOR NEWS | | | | TRAVEL | | | | COMPETITIONS | | |
|
|
|
Selling tips for a turbulent market
 |
| Justin believes there are always buyers to be found |
DESPITE the doom and gloom about the current state of the property market, homeowners can still significantly improve their chances of achieving a successful sale by following a few simple rules.
Justin Flanagan, managing director of Charles Eden, Kelsey Park Road, Beckenham, believes the situation isn't as bad as the media portrays.
He said: "Even in the depths of the last property recession - a far worse state of affairs than we are now experiencing - there were still a million completed sales a year."
The reality is, whatever the state of the market, there are always serious buyers to be found - people who have genuine, pressing reasons for moving home.
Justin said: "The trick is reaching those serious buyers in the most effective way and that's where homeowners can do a lot to help themselves."
The first thing they can do is to choose their estate agent carefully. Justin said: "You need to choose an agent who'll give you the very best professional advice.
"You need to be sure they will market your home in the most effective way to the widest possible group of potential buyers.
Personal recommendation from someone with recent first-hand experience of buying and selling in your area is the best way of identifying a good agent.
Justin said: "Ideally, you need a local agent who can call on the marketing strength and support of a major national network."
Sellers should consider pricing their home correctly. Justin said: "Your asking price is probably the single most important factor in determining whether or not you achieve a successful sale, so you need to get it right.
"Obviously everyone wants to get the best possible price for their home, but if you ask too much, your chances of achieving a successful sale could be significantly reduced - particularly when, as now, buyers are spoilt for choice."
Justin recommends leaving the pricing to the experts but highlights as the
seller it's important to manage your own
expectations.
He said: "Your home is worth what someone is prepared to pay for it, so try and establish how much similar properties in your area have recently sold for by checking estate agents' window displays."
Finally, Justin believes one of the best ways of ensuring you get the best possible price for your home is by keeping it clean, tidy and well cared-for, inside and out.
He said: "This is true in any kind of market - but once again, particularly so when buyers have lots of homes to choose from.
"It's the little things which make the biggest difference, like fresh paintwork, clean kitchens and bathrooms, and tidy gardens."
Follow Justin's three simple steps and you will maximise your chances of achieving a successful sale at the best possible price - even in today's more challenging market.
If you would like to discuss your
options, call Charles Eden on 020 8663 1964.
Print 
Email this 
Comment
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
