If you have been thinking about putting your home on the market, or you already have, here are some critical pieces of advice to help you…

How to price in a buyer’s market so your home sells!

Pricing your home is one of the most important decisions you will make in the selling process. It’s so important to get it right the first time, especially in a buyer’s market. Here are some tips for helping you do so…

· Professional assistance – I cannot stress how important it is to get your house valued by several agents! So many people pluck a value out of thin air. This never works. Instead, get a few credible agents to value your home, and then go for a price that falls in the middle of what they said.

· Do you really need to sell your house now? – Have a full and frank discussion with your estate agent. Do your search online. Get a good picture for the market in your local area. If it’s looking a bit gloomy at the moment and you can afford to hold out, why not do so?

· Add value rather than lowering the price – Buyers want to feel like they are buying into quality. It’s better to add value by making home improvements than simply lowering the price with the hope of attracting more offers.

· Who is your competition? – You need to know who is currently buying and selling in your market so you know what you are up against. Are you competing against new properties or those that have been on the market for a while?

Will double-glazing really increase the value of your property?

Double-glazing is an investment that will boost the value of your property. Nowadays, energy efficiency is something more and more homeowners are looking for during their property search, as it means lower monthly bills for them. Double glazing supplies this, and security too.

However, only go for this once you have dealt with any issues with your home, for example, a leaky pipe or termite control. You don’t want these problems to unearth themselves in the survey after you have spent all your money on new windows.

Fresh approach?

Has your home been on the market for several months now and it is a case of the same old story? Not a lot of interest? No offers? Your estate agent tells you to persevere. Maybe he or she gives you the same old line – ‘the market is slow, it’ll pick up’. But why wait for it to change? Who’s to say it will? The truth is, if you keep doing the same things, you are going to get the same results. So, time for a fresh approach!

Have you considered different forms of marketing? The more exposure, the better! If there are some avenues you haven’t explored, now is the time to do it! Why not try marketing through Twitter or Facebook? Have you got a property brochure? A lot of agents are scrapping these in favour of a simple online listing – big mistake! Many people still prefer something tangible and a brochure will make your home more appealing. Or, maybe you need to take a fresh approach to your property? Have you considered hiring a home stager? If not, this could be where you are going wrong. A quality home stager will rework your existing home and suggest a few buys (within your budget) to help your home sell quicker. They cost several of hundred pounds but they can make you thousands.