No one wants to feel forced into selling their home, but there are times in life where downsizing to free up some capital can be beneficial. If, for example, you have unsecured debts which are taking up too much of your monthly income and you want to pay them off more effectively, or if you children have grown up and moved away and you simply have more house than you need.
If you are thinking about downsizing, you may find that the housing market is tilted very much in favour of those in a position to buy at the moment. Restrictions in mortgage lending have put the brakes on growth in the housing market, and although there are signs of improvement, sellers are still finding it hard to shift their properties. However, that’s not to say that it is impossible; so here are few options you have for making your home saleable:
Fix up, look sharp
You need to get your house looking as good as possible, so that means completing all minor repairs to staircases, brickwork, sills – pretty much anything. Not only does visible damage/decay remind the prospective buyer that they have work to do on the property, it creates a bad impression which might tarnish the overall view of the house.
Clear the clutter
Make sure that all unnecessary clutter is cleared away for viewings – you want the rooms to appear as big as possible, which means showing as much floorspace as you can. Furthermore, when potential buyers look around your home, you want them to imagine themselves in the space putting their own stamp on it – they’re far more likely to buy a place they know they can feel at home in. Clutter is a distraction for them, so clear it away.
Leave it to the pros
It is also hard for viewers to imagine themselves in a home if the owner is hanging around chatting away, and they will certainly find it more difficult to talk freely and ask questions. So stay out of the way and leave it to the professionals – your estate agent – to put forward the plus-points of the house.
If, after all this, you are still not having any luck selling your home, you might want to consider the use of a property-buying specialist such as Gateway Homes. You will get less than market value for your property, but the advantage is an instant decision and a lump-sum payment.