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Moving to a new house can be a stressful time, particularly if a sale falls through. Don’t worry if this happens as there are often ways to get it back on track. Read through this blog article where we talk about the potential pitfalls to avoid during your negotiations and share some tips to help your sale move forward.
Surveys
If something unexpected comes up in a survey, it may be a big enough problem to make the sale fall through.
Typically we do see most house sales fall through due to survey reports. Unexpected work picked up on a survey may cause some purchasers to walk away from a sale. It is advisable that if works needs to be carried out at a property, it would be beneficial to rectify them before the property goes on the market.
Chain
A chain can fall apart for many reasons, and sometimes people can get bored of waiting and find a house elsewhere. The results of a single break can be huge, a sale falling through at the bottom of a chain of sales can potentially jeopardise all of the others, causing a domino effect. Being in a chain-free position as a seller can be a huge advantage.
During a Negotiation
Negotiations can be a tricky time, and you can find yourself dealing with surprising demands. It is worth being flexible, and remembering that small details should not be a make-or-break on your deal. This is also where choosing the right estate agent for you can be important, as the agent will be negotiating on your behalf.
People changing their mind and pulling out
Situations change all the time. Someone could lose their job, a family member could become ill, or people can simply have second thoughts. At times, as much as the buyer wants to move ahead, they may just not be able to. The current market can make it very difficult for vendors to find an onward purchase and the economic uncertainty can trigger buyers getting cold feet or having issues with financing.
What should you do next?
If a sale falls through, the best thing to do is to brush it off and get the property back onto the market without delay, commencing with a new marketing campaign. If the property has fallen through due to an issue arising from a survey, such as dampness or a structural issue, this should be discussed with the estate agent.
How can you prevent a sale from falling through?
Don’t forget to check your mortgage status before putting in an offer to ensure that you will be accepted to buy the home. You should always remember to be patient, especially when waiting for sales to go through. The negotiation stage can be the most frustrating as you want the sale to move ahead quickly, but it is worth taking a step back and letting the negotiations take their course.
The most important thing is to choose an agent who will be able to constantly chase your sale through, no matter if it is in a chain of not.
Contact us
Are you thinking about selling your home? We would love to hear from you.
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People in the market for a new home can easily get discouraged when properties fall short of their expectations. There’s a significant difference, however, between a less-than-perfect house and one that sends buyers running for the hills.
Houses with serious faults can get revamped, of course. But most people looking to purchase aren’t prepared to plough that much time and money into repairs. Whether potential buyers are viewing a house in person or virtually, there are several issues that are immediate turn-offs.
Dilapidated exterior
A dilapidated, unattractive façade makes a terrible first impression and for many, this alone is enough to quash buyers’ interest. Peeling paint, broken gutters, and missing roof tiles create an image of neglect. Most buyers aren’t interested in spending that much time and money cleaning up someone else’s mess.
A dark interior
A house doesn’t need to be an architectural masterpiece, complete with skylights and chandeliers, but walking into a dwelling that’s just about as light as the inside of a cave doesn’t do much to attract buyers. Viewing a house virtually can compound this problem: inadequate lighting sometimes looks ten times worse on video.
If you need a guide on staging your home for sale, sign up to Get Property Savvy - where we have compiled our top tips to help you navigate the property market.
Needing interior repairs
Even if a house looks spectacular from the outside, a less-than-thrilling interior is sure to put off people looking for a nice home. Just like a sumptuous-looking apple with a rotten core, a house needing extensive renovations isn’t something most people want. Things like peeling paint, broken door hinges, damaged light fittings and window panes falling out of their frames are more than enough to drive buyers away.
Dirt and grime
Some people might say that a house isn’t a home without a bit of dust and clutter, but there’s nothing attractive about dirt. One sure-fire thing that makes buyers run a mile is a dirty bathroom. This can be even more of an issue with virtual viewings, as people assume that you can’t see dust on video, so they neglect the little things.
Damp
It’s not only dust that buyers find off-putting. A survey by insurer, GoCompare, showed damp stains were the number one reason potential property buyers decided against purchasing. Grime is an immediate turn-off, but seeing damp stains on walls or ceilings hints at a deeper issue. Clutter is easily sorted and dust is easy to clean, but with damp, you’re looking at potentially serious damage that could need major renovation.
Bad smells
The same GoCompare study showed that the presence of unpleasant odours was high on the list of turn-offs for people looking to buy property. An unpleasant smell could come from something small, like food that’s gone off, but although that’s an easily fixable issue, walking into a house that smells bad doesn’t increase buyers’ enthusiasm—to put it mildly.
A trickier problem is the presence of odours in the area. Areas close to wastewater treatment plants are often plagued by disagreeable odours, which can drive buyers away.
Evidence of pets
There are many pet lovers in the world, but it’s pretty rare for someone in the property market to find a house full of dog hair appealing. A potential buyer might allow their pets to sleep on the bed, but almost certainly won’t like a house that appears to belong to a pack of moulting sheepdogs.
No internet signal
Having reliable internet access has become essential for many potential buyers. More and more people are working from home and simply can’t do without a steady connection. Accessing the internet mostly depends on a residence’s own router, but there is evidence that some geographic locations lie in “broadband black spots”. There are many areas in the UK that struggle with chronic connectivity issues.
When it comes to virtual viewings, connectivity issues can pose a problem from the word 'go'. A video call breaking up every ten seconds is enough evidence to put people off.
Ageing electrical systems
There are many faults in houses that go beyond impractical features or lack of appeal, one of which is outdated or unreliable electrical wiring. This can go hand-in-hand with bad DIY jobs. Leaving wires exposed and not repairing broken sockets doesn’t only make a house ugly, but can also pose a serious threat. Repairing an old fuse box can be extremely pricey, which doesn’t exactly entice potential buyers.
Summary:
Buying and selling property isn’t for the faint-hearted, so be sure to address these top turn-offs thoroughly before planning a move. And, if you’re making a video for a virtual viewing, re-watch it several times, just to be sure!
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Are you thinking about putting your property on the market, but aren’t sure when or how? It can be difficult to know exactly when you should sell your home. However, there are times and seasons when selling your home is almost certainly the right thing for you. Whether you need more outdoor space, a designated home office, or if there is a burst of activity in your local property market, we’ve identified some of the best times to think seriously about selling your property.
Your family needs more space
Your family may not be expanding, but if people in your house are growing restless, it’s time to consider a change. As young children grow into young adults, many parents move into properties where each child can have their own room. Adding private spaces and larger rooms can also accommodate your family’s needs, so bear that in mind when you’re looking at properties. Knowing that your family needs more space is a key factor in determining if you should put your home on the market.
Your family is expanding
Whether you’re expecting a child or welcoming a parent, there are plenty of family expansions that will require more room for everyone. If you know that your property won’t be able to accommodate everyone, it’s time to put your home on the market.
You don't enjoy spending time at home
Is your home a place where you can rest and relax? Do you feel safe in your neighbourhood? Are you working from home and don't have a designated space to work from? These are all signs that it’s time to start looking for a new property. Your home should be a place where you feel comfortable and relaxed, and anything less should have you looking elsewhere.
Your needs have changed
If like many people, you are re-evaluating your needs following months of lockdowns, your home may no longer be able to accommodate those needs. Whether you are planning to work from home more often, even after the lockdowns, or want to move to somewhere in the countryside or with more outside space, it may be time to move onto your next chapter.
The local property market is flourishing
Have you been toying with the idea of moving for a few years, but never knew when the time was right? Putting your home on the market when it is flourishing will increase your chances of a speedy sale. But how do you know when the market is flourishing? Feel free to come into our office or ring us, and we can talk you though the current market conditions.
You are considering buying a property
If you’re thinking of moving house, put your own home on the market first. That way, you’ll be free to make an offer when your dream home comes along.
Book a valuation today by calling 01934 815 053 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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It may seem unusual to some to sell a house over the festive period, however, the property market is very much still active at this time of the year. The number of post-Christmas home buyers to browse for properties on Rightmove increases every year, with visits on Boxing Day last year 54% higher than the previous year. People have more free time and motivation to make a change in time for the New Year, so it can be a great time to buy and sell.
With this in mind, here are our top tips for buying and selling over Christmas.
An online presence is vital
If you are selling your home, it needs to be listed and visible on all the major property portals (like Rightmove) over Christmas. People will tend to have more free time and will start to browse properties online over the festive season.
We believe that sellers need to take advantage of this busy time. Once Christmas Day and Boxing Day are over, people are looking towards a New Year move. Don’t miss out the opportunity of hitting the market when it’s hot!
Rightmove say that Boxing Day is their busiest all year. But why is this period so busy? One reason could be due to the new phones and tablets that people are often gifted at Christmas. It is also one of the few holidays that the family will be all together and most likely at home. This means that any discussions about viewings and a move can be had with all the decision makers present. With the upcoming New Year, there's no better fresh start than a new home.
Winter weather
Spring is a popular time to buy and sell, but winter has its benefits, too. Sometimes stepping into a bright, warm, cosy home on a bitterly cold day or drizzly evening can have just as positive an effect as viewing a property on a warm summer day.
Tip: Try to arrange viewings in the daylight. If you arrange a viewing later in the day, you won’t get the true experience of the property, especially if there is outdoor space. It is important to view them before the night draws in.
Ready for the New Year rush
In the New Year, there will be a rush of people looking to buy and sell. Why not beat the rush by instructing an Estate Agent or getting to know the market in December? Many sellers hold off until January and miss out on the busy online searching period. Additionally, because there are typically less properties on the market during the holidays, you may benefit from lower competition levels.
Tip: Don’t underestimate how long it takes to get your home on the market!
Given the time it takes for us to prepare the marketing material for a property, including taking photos, preparing floorplans and commissioning an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), it is advisable for sellers to start the process now to get ahead of the competition and take advantage of these peak periods.
Don’t wait until spring
It is not essential to wait until Spring to sell. Most sellers wait until spring and then there is more supply and more competition, whereas over the Christmas season, there is less supply but still high demand. By selling your home over the festive period, you may be more likely to achieve a better selling price than you would trying to sell against the flurry of stock in the spring market.
Book a valuation today by calling 01934 815 053 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.