You are planning for your future in your new home but, before you can settle into the dream, you need to secure a buyer for your current property.
Rightmove recently reported their busiest ever month for online property searches. So, with high volumes of searches happening every day, why hasn’t your property sold?
There are many factors that can affect why your property might not be selling; typically, it will come down to 3 areas...
Want to know if these apply to you? Read on. We’re here to help you avoid these issues and ensure you find the right buyer for your property sooner!
Best Price
The first common mistake to avoid when selling your property is to advertise at the wrong price. A price that is too high could put off prospective buyers – that’s if they even see your property in their search results.
Remember house-hunters will set filters on their search results, if your property is above their price range it may not ever be seen. Be sure to advertise at the best price for your property and your area.
The right asking price for your property can be tough to calculate. That's where selecting the right estate agent comes in. Take advantage of the expert knowledge they have to offer and make sure to get at least 3 independent valuations before deciding which agents(s) to list with, and for how much.
To avoid listing your property at the wrong price, you can also do your own research. Have you had a look at what other properties in your area have sold for?
When researching your property value, identifying the previous selling prices of houses on your road or in your area could be a good indication of the local property value and overall interest. Find comparable properties that are similar in size and condition; this may help you to estimate the approximate price, prior to agent valuations.
Not sure where to begin? Rightmove offer a quick, easy and free service; all you have to do is enter your postcode! This could potentially help you determine the best price for your property.
Read our ultimate guide to calculating your property’s worth, complete with tips on how you can attract more prospective buyers and get the best offers sooner!
Best Photos
Did you know that active home hunters use Rightmove multiple times a day when searching for their next home?
It's for this reason our property experts recommend asking your estate agent to change your first photo at least every 2 weeks. This provides you with another chance to grab the attention of regular searchers. Keep it fresh!
A common mistake to avoid when trying to sell is to have your property go unnoticed or be ignored. Poor quality photos or ones which don't properly highlight the key features on your property particulars could be costing you a potential buyer.
Make sure to check the particulars and online listings are really showing your property in the best light by performing your own quick property search. Does your listing stand out from the crowd? If not, could new photos help?
Try out the tips in our quick guide to taking the best photos of your home and ask your agent to pop back round, you could find renewed interest from prospective buyers instantly!
Best Position Online
House-hunters are likely to browse online for months before committing to buying a property. With approximately 1 million properties listed on Rightmove at any given time, is it possible your property is being missed in a sea of search results?
Properties on Rightmove get the most views during the first two weeks they are online, with reports showing that the most popular day for initials searches is Friday. Older listings run the risk of going stale and can sink in search results, moving further down the list for prospective buyers to scroll through.
Your estate agent should work with you to recommend how to present a competitive listing. This may include improving your description and keywords or reducing your price. Refreshing your listing can bring it to the top of results again and improve your chances of grabbing the attention of regular scrollers.
Do you know how your online property listing is currently performing? Ask your agent to view your property Marketing report and if it shows you are continually getting less views than similar properties, you could have a problem and may need to make changes.
Watch a behind the scenes video on how agents can use the property marketing report to help you make the best decisions.
Best Agent?
Estate agents are provided with all the tools they need to help you sell your property online, but is your chosen agent measuring up?
Take a look at this estate agents guide to marketing from Rightmove and see if your agent has recommended the best ways to market your property.
Remember you're their customer; you should get the best service from them, and if they aren't delivering then it may be that you need to find a better agent to suit your needs.
Need help selling your property?
To sell your property you need viewings. Understand the true value of your property and do your best to maximise its saleability.
You want it to appeal to prospective buyers. So, whether your property is overpriced, the photos aren’t selling its best features, or the listing has gone stale, you and your agent need to do whatever you can to attract interest, together. This will help you find the right buyer and enable you to move to your new home sooner.
Top tip: Be open to advice and honest about the value and asking price of your property. Reducing the price within 40 days of it being on Rightmove or Zoopla, will give you a better chance of selling sooner and achieving the dream move you are after.
Are you aged 60 or over and considering a Lifetime Lease option for your new home? Did you know, our team of property experts will help you liaise with agents and achieve the best price for your property, all as part of our complimentary Move Simply service?
In the meantime, try our online quick calculator to see how much your could secure your next home for with the Home for Life Plan. The calculator is simple, quick and could provide you with a better understanding of your potential budget.
Call us today on 0808 291 2703 to find out how we can help you achieve your moving goals and find the perfect new home.