Ever wondered how an experienced estate agent would navigate their own property sale? Well now’s your chance to get a sneak peek behind the curtain.
As our CEO, Suzanne Vincent, navigates her own property sale journey in South London, we’ve asked her for some expert insight, and what advice she would give to those considering entering the property market.
Here’s what she had to say:
What has happened with your property sale journey to date?
We had toyed with the idea of moving further out of London, largely driven by our children’s love of pony club weekends. By chance, we saw a house come up on the market and decided to go for it. So, we decided to get our family home of 22 years ready to sell and it managed to get on the market within two weeks of deciding to move!
The first week of marketing generated really good viewing interest, and we had around seven viewers in the first week. Week two saw some viewers return for a second look and further views from new interest. In week three, we had two separate interested buyers, both with good offers. We agreed a sale with a couple who were in a good, proceedable position to buy.
The sale chain was quickly formed, and we tentatively suggested an ideal move date, whilst being aware that this is subject to flexibility. We set about accumulating all the relevant sales documents, guarantees and planning documentation we would require for the sale.
What are 3 top tips you’d give to people selling their property?
- Declutter! We emptied the children’s bedrooms, gave them a fresh coat of paint, and rather than moving everything back in (toys, books and teddies) we boxed them up and put them away. The children were fine about this as they were excited about moving and keen to help. The rooms look bigger and new buyers can come in and imagine their own things or their own usage of the room, rather than the distraction of clutter.
- Replace and repair. We updated a couple of old, worn blinds and cleaned the windows We also employed a handyman for three days to fix loose handles, as well as re-grout and seal, so everything looks as fresh and new as possible. We even had the front downstairs window frames painted, as buyers will come and stand outside, or drive past several times, so kerb appeal is important.
- Prepare. We wanted to tell the story of our lovely home: why we love living here, how great the community is, the views, the facilities, transport and the overall local area. Oftens buyers get fixated on ‘postcodes’ when, in reality, once they step out of their comfort zone, they find a real gem of a place to live. We made sure to add our comments to the marketing - what we had done to enhance the property, and our enjoyment of the place. Part of that meant making sure the professional photoshoot showed the property at its very best. We were so impressed by the results and we were confident that everything had been done to the highest standard.
What is some insider knowledge that people might not know about property sales?
Getting a buyer is just the start of it. Keeping a property sale on track, especially if there is a chain (where the buyer is selling or the seller is buying on), there are many areas where the sale may derail. It could be a property survey, a lack of legal knowledge, common property faults and defects (both legally and physically), or something else entirely.
This is where the estate agent earns their fee. Years of experience, good training and industry knowledge can sensibly encourage a buyer to stay committed to the purchase and offer reassurance. Knowing the area, property type, historical sales and getting to know your clients is imperative to a successful sale.
There’s a reason why they say selling a property can be as stressful as divorce. You need a calm agent, with a clear idea of timescales and issues before you even embark on the sales journey. Good and local solicitors are also advisable.
How has your experience in estate agency affected your own journey?
If anything, it made me feel more anxious. I have been an estate agent for 32 years and have probably overseen thousands of sales, so I guess I have a unique insight into what could potentially go wrong.
Also, selling my own home through our agency meant exposing myself and my home to the public in a way that I felt I could not mess up. I had to ‘put my money where my mouth is’ by not overpricing the house, creating excellent marketing and showing how it should be done (as I would recommend).
That was a little scary, so I am pleased it went well. I was also concerned that buyers would be a little wary that they were buying the “Estate Agent’s House” and how they would feel about that. My sales team told me that the buyers actually felt reassured by it, rather than disadvantaged.
What has been the most challenging part of your sale journey so far?
Predominantly, the nerves during the viewings and having to keep the place as spotless as possible. It’s safe to say I’ve spent a small fortune on cut flowers for viewings! Although, the main thing has just been coming to terms with leaving my home, the community, and all my lovely neighbours.
What is one thing can sellers do to make their journey easier?
Plan ahead. We fell in love with a house we wanted to buy and then decided to get the house ‘sale-ready’. I wish I’d completed all the annoying repairs and fixes well in advance, as they needed doing and we would have saved 10 days or so by preparing for this.
I would also suggest looking online at other properties like yours and seeing how well they present and what you would do differently; maximising light and space, if there is a garden, getting it planted out and showing it at its best, etc. It’s often the little things that make the biggest difference.
Get started on your property sale journey
If, like Suzanne, you’re looking to enter the property market and hope to achieve the smoothest, quickest and best deal possible, having the right experts by your side can make all the difference. As your local independent estate agents for South London, we can help you prepare your property, organise the necessary documentation, market it effectively and secure the best possible price.
Get in touch to find out how we can help: 020 3519 9121