Property, Buying, Selling and
Maintaining Tips and Hints - A Short Article Packed with
Useful Information
Property: Finding the Right Estate Agent
Finding the right estate agent is crucial if you want to sell your house for
the best price and in the shortest time. A property that stays on the market
for a long time can give the impression that there is either something wrong
with it or that it is overpriced. Any delays selling your own home can mean
you miss out on your next dream home because someone else is in a better position
to move quickly.
Don't bother physically looking at properties if you are not ready
to buy. It is a waste of your time, the owners' time and the agents' time.
Before viewing
Speak to a mortgage advisor and solicitor before you start looking.
Word of mouth
The best way to find an agent is from word of mouth. Ask people you know if
they have sold/bought a house and what estate agent they used and if they were
any good. This way you will find out which ones are the best and which ones
to stay clear of.
Tour the area
Tour the area and surrounding area you are looking to buy/sell and jot down
the 'For Sale' and 'Sold Boards' or ('Under Offer') per agent. Then make a comparison
chart. Calculate the agent with the highest number of sold boards as a % of
the total number of boards they have up. Try to buy through the agent with the
largest market share. (Often the prices of their houses are cheaper). Selling
your house should be a quicker process as well as they will have more clients
then others.
Get a few quotes
If you are selling make an appointment with at least 3 agents to come out and
give you a valuation prices and ask how much commission they charge before deciding
on the one you want.
Register
Register with as many agents as you can. If any of them don't get back to you
with in 2 weeks contact them but if they continue to fail to get back to you
then take your name off their mailing list. Make a note of the agents you are
registered with.
Get to know your agent
Meet your estate agent face to face and not over the phone, not only will you
know what he/she looks like but it is more personal and you can build a relationship
up with him/her.
Give them a wish list
A wish list is just a description of the type of home, it's features, the area
etc.. that you are looking for. Most agents don't care about what you are looking
for in a house just what price you are willing to pay. And they will keep sending
you property listings for that price range. Cut all of this out by giving them
the wihlist and tell them that you don't want to be contacted unless the property
resembles what you are looking for.
Contact details
Most agents have lots of buyers and a limited amount of time to contact them
about new properties that come on the market. Make sure you give them as many
contact numbers as possible.
Viewing
In a busy market, view properties without waiting to see the particulars.
View a property during the day so that you can get a good look
and to see if there is any thing that needs done to it. If you are interested
in a house go back and have a look around the area at night then you will know
if the area is as quite as it looks during the day "or if there are kids
hanging around on the street corners".
Make a real effort to get on with the owners.
Ask how long the property has been on the market. If has been
on the market for a while there might be a reason, in need of major repairs,
bad neighbours, bad neighbourhood etc..
Offering
As soon as you decide you want it put in an offer straight away. Most people
don't they think they can wait a while and when they go to make an offer the
house is already gone.
Don't give the agent any impression that you might increase your
bid (if you are nervous about slipping up, put your bid in writing).
-
Get a 'homebuyers' survey carried out if the property is more
than 10 years old.
-
Don't be afraid to re-negotiate the sale price if a homebuyer's
survey identifies work that needs doing.
-
Try to set a deadline exchange date and ideal completion date
when agreeing your offer.
-
Make your offer including any major fixtures and fittings you
want included.
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