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Spring into action and get moving!

Friday, March 6, 2020

With blossom flowering, spring is in the air and it’s an exciting time for homeowners; an ideal time to think about selling or letting and planning your next move. We have seen a flurry of activity in the property market with more properties coming to the market. Increased economic confidence is renewing interest in the property market and both buyers and sellers are seeing this as a good time to move especially while interest rates are still relatively low and 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 it is a good time to get their first foot on the property ladder.

Spring, particularly from March to June, is often seen as the optimum time to sell a property, when viewings are traditionally at their highest. The days are longer with lighter evenings, and many people look to complete their purchase by the summer, ready for the new school term in September. Properties tend to look better from spring through to summer with blue skies and gardens in bloom. Photography is a key selling tool and spring is a great time to see this. The market is already gearing up with more properties coming to the market and an increase in serious buyers and tenants.

Whether you are buying or selling, letting or renting, start by doing some research about properties in your area. Check what they offer 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 time and money.

If you’re thinking of putting your home on the market, bear in mind that buyers may make up their mind about your property before they even set foot through the door so it is essential to maximise your home’s aesthetics. Think about staging your home to show how it can best be lived in and remember that first impressions really count. By presenting your home at its best, you’ll be well placed to market your property with potential buyers eager to view. A spring clean and declutter make a real difference to the light and appearance of rooms. Decor 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 viewers and a coat of paint is a quick, inexpensive fix, making a property easier to sell or let and for a higher price.

Spring is 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.

Outdoors, winter may have wreaked havoc so take stock and repair any cracks or missing fence panels. 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 this for you. Clearing gutters can save you a lot of money, preventing problems so make sure downpipes are 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 issues.

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.