Advice to Sellers
Prepare your property for marketing - Clear out cupboards, lofts, garages & sheds; take a trip to the recycling centre or charity shop. Perhaps tackle some outstanding DIY jobs, but resist refurbishing the whole property; at least until you’ve sought the advice of a reputable Estate Agent. Some 'improvements' will have little or no effect on the speed of a sale, or the price achieved.
Deciding which agent to use – Select a few agents to value your property; base your choices on recommendation, local presence, affiliation to governing bodies (e.g. NAEA, ARLA, OEA & GPEA), and other tangible facts. Keep in mind that some Estate Agents will try to secure your business by quoting an optimistic valuation – this rarely ends up benefiting the client and usually makes the whole process more complicated. We always practice an open relationship with our clients, right from day one.
Marketing your property – Chase Buchanan are happy to accompany viewings on your property; buyers tend to open up to us and this means we can address any concerns early on. We aim to limit the disruption to your everyday life and endeavour to sell most properties in the preliminary stages of marketing. We feed back to you what buyers are saying and advise you accordingly. We also try to concentrate on the quality of viewings, as opposed to the number, so don’t worry if some days are busier than others.
Offers – Consider all offers on their individual merits and try to reach decisions swiftly, as protracted negotiations often fail. Listen to your Estate Agents’ advice and be guided by them (not all agents advise their clients to take the first offer). If a purchaser makes an offer directly to you, do not make a decision before discussing it with your agent – you employ them to negotiate on your behalf and this is one of the main areas where they can earn their keep!
'The selling process – As part of accepting an offer we set a preferred timescale and usually recommend that you aim to exchange contracts as soon as possible. From exchange buyers and sellers are legally commited, but until then the process can be lengthy and frustrating so we keep a careful eye on progress and liaise with all parties to eliminate any delays. We can also provide you with excellent contacts for finance, conveyancing, surveying, storage and removals.