How to reduce the stress of moving home
As we all know moving home can be a stressful time. However there are many ways to reduce that stress to a minimum.
Early planning is essential. It is always worthwhile seeking advice on the saleability of your current home and the best mortgage deals before beginning the search for the next property. Even if you are not intending to purchase another property, early planning will give you the opportunity to prepare your home for sale.
Choosing which estate agents to seek advice from can be difficult. A good test however is to speak to the staff in the branch. If you find them disinterested or unhelpful then it’s likely that’s how they will deal with your home. A company is only as good as their staff.
Having decided on which companies to talk to it’s important that you ask the right questions. Simple you might think, how much is my home worth and what fee will they charge. Both fair questions but they shouldn’t determine your choice of agent.
Firstly the suggested price should be based on comparisons with similar local property and an overly high valuation may result in your plans to move being ruined because no buyer is forthcoming. Secondly a cheap fee will normally mean that less is spent on the marketing of your home and the customer service you receive will also be less than you deserve.
What you need to know is
1. What’s the right price to find a genuine buyer in the timescale you need.
2. How does your property compare with others in the area.
3. How will the property be marketed to generate the most interest.
4. What actions will be taken if there isn’t enough interest.
5. What checks are made when a buyer makes an offer.
6. What should you expect in terms of contact and customer service from the estate agency.
Only if you are entirely happy with the answers to these questions should you consider instructing the company.
Having decided on the estate agent, make sure that the sales particulars they produce are approved by you before they are distributed to prospective buyers. If you’re not delighted with them then neither will the buyers.
Keeping the estate agent informed of any changes to your circumstances will also help them to adjust the marketing to meet the new situation.
Once an offer is received you will need to know the buyers situation in order to make a decision. For instance - Does the buyer have a property to sell, how are they financing the purchase and when are they expecting to move. Don’t be tempted to accept an offer just because the price sounds great.
Having accepted the offer make sure you choose a good solicitor (as with estate agents cheap is not always the best). Remember if you want to reduce the stress of moving a good solicitor is as important as a good estate agent. Where possible it can help if the agent and solicitor know each other.
As the sale progresses there may be problems and the agent should make sure that all parties are kept fully up to date with the situation. Most problems can be overcome if they are dealt with as soon as they occur.
Often the completion date can be a source of stress particularly if there is a long chain but with a bit of give and take this should be easy to overcome.
Finally it’s worth repeating that the people you deal with will make the time spent selling your home easy or difficult. Choose the right people and moving home can be NEARLY STRESS FREE.
AT GARSIDE WADDINGHAM OUR PEOPLE ARE HERE TO HELP.
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