Blog
Spring in the air
Thursday, March 14, 2019
After the warmest February day on record, spring is in the air and it’s an exciting time for homeowners; an ideal time to think seriously about selling or letting and making plans for the year ahead. Spring often prompts a flurry of activity in the property market and more properties tend to start coming to the market for sale or rental. Whilst political uncertainty is sure to be having some impact on the property market, it has almost become the ‘new norm’ in the UK such that both buyers and sellers are reaching the conclusion that now is as good a time as any to make a move especially while interest rates are still relatively low and whilst a shortage of property in the UK maintains a high level of demand. First time buyers in particular are enjoying record low interest rates and incentives to purchase and, while this continues, it is a good time to get their first foot on the property ladder.
Spring, and particularly from March to June, is often seen as the optimum time to sell a property, when viewings are at their highest. The days are becoming longer with lighter evenings, and many people want to complete their purchase by the summer ready for the September school term. It also makes complete sense that properties will look better from spring through to summer with blue skies and gardens in bloom. With the boom in marketing of properties online, photography is a key selling tool and spring is a great time to see this. The market has already become a hive of activity with more and more houses coming to the market and a rise in serious buyers.
So, whether buying or selling, letting or renting start by doing some research about properties in your area. Check what they are offering and compare their asking prices, location and how long they have been on the market. If you are thinking of ways to make your home more marketable, it is important to know how much time and money you need to spend to be competitive and to gauge what buyers or tenants are looking for. Your home will sell or let more quickly if it is well presented and realistically priced. Professional advice from a local estate agent can help you make key decisions about marketing your property and may save you both time and money in the long run.
If you’re thinking of putting your home on the market, it is essential to maximise your home’s aesthetics and kerb appeal: buyers may well make up their mind about your property before they even set foot through the door. Think about staging your home to show how it can best be lived in and remember that first impressions really count. A buyer’s first sight of your property may be a photograph on a website so look at your property with a critical eye and list any small repairs you need to do before showing the property to prospective buyers. You can’t change your property’s location or room sizes, but you can change its condition and aesthetic appeal.
By presenting your home in its best light, you’ll be well placed to market your property with potential buyers eager to view. A spring clean and declutter will make a real difference to the light and appearance of rooms. Décor can be brightened with accent colours in soft furnishings, curtains, and throws whilst keeping walls and floors neutral and giving an overall feel of space and light. It is often important for buyers to visualise how their furniture will fit into a room and its colour scheme. If you’re trying to sell or let an investment property, it may be worth hiring professional cleaners for the kitchen, bathroom, living room and master bedroom. Marked walls can really deter buyers and a coat of paint is a quick and inexpensive fix, making a property easier to sell and for a higher price.
Spring is also an ideal time to check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and to consider the energy efficiency of your home. It is a legal requirement for the seller of a property to provide a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for their property before it can be sold and good energy performance can positively impact on the sale or rental of a property. Adding insulation instantly makes your home energy efficient with savings on your next energy bill. It can be beneficial to update your windows and doors, with new double glazing that is energy efficient. This is expensive, but can add to the kerb appeal of your home and value of your property. If replacing windows is not an option, then make sure your doors and windows are draughtproof.
Outdoors, winter may have wreaked havoc with your garden, fences, walls and paths so take stock and repair any cracks or missing fence panels. Use a power washer to clean your porch, paths, driveway and decking and replace loose nails or damaged boards. Spring showers make it a good idea to check for possible roof damage and any necessary repair jobs to make sure there are no leaks. For safety reasons you may want a qualified professional to do the repairs. Clearing gutters can save you a lot of money, preventing problems so have a look at downpipes ensuring they’re clear of leaves and other debris. Even if you did this in the autumn it’s worth checking again. If you have shrubbery close to your house, prune back overgrown branches to improve ventilation, allowing surfaces to dry out and prevent damp problems.
Selling residential property can be complicated when you don’t know how or what you need to prepare. Our selling guide provides valuable information advising vendors how to make the selling process easier. As an NAEA and licensed ARLA Propertymark member, The Frost Partnership offers a FREE, no obligation market appraisal and advice on how to sell or let your home at the best possible price and within your desired timeframe, including ways to maximise the appeal of your property to the widest range of potential buyers or tenants. For more information on all aspects of selling or letting your home contact your local Frost Partnership office or see frostweb.co.uk.
