Are you planning your next move? If so, it might be time to spring into action. The summer period is an ideal time to put a property on the market: there’s something about warm weather and sunny skies that inspires people to get moving!
The good news is that there is currently strong demand from buyers across the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man– which makes this a great time to sell. However, even if the market is relatively uncrowded, it’s smart to ensure your property stands out from the crowd. In this blog, we’ll give you some easy steps to follow for a quick, smooth sale.
Step One: Get Your Finances in Order
First things first: you may have your eye on your dream home, but can you afford to move? The most important step, at this early stage, is to check the terms of your mortgage. Are you in the middle of a fixed or tracker deal – and if so, is it portable? If it is, subject to certain conditions (for example, that your lender is satisfied by the price you’re paying for the new property), you may be able to take your mortgage with you, at no extra cost.
However, if your mortgage isn’t portable and your current deal isn’t due to end any time soon, you’ll probably have to pay an early repayment charge. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t move – but sometimes the penalty can be very expensive.
Whatever your situation, be sure to do the maths early on. Penalty charges and other associated costs (such as maintenance or cosmetic changes to your property – see below!) all mount up.
At this stage, it’s worth speaking to an expert mortgage adviser like Cherry Godfrey: not only will we be able to advise on how much you could borrow for your next home, but also will provide clarity on other elements that could prove helpful. For example, if you do need to exit your current mortgage early and there’s a penalty to pay, we may be able to recommend a new mortgage deal that has more favourable terms, meaning that – overall – it’s still financially viable to meet the early repayment charge (in fact, we might even be able to save you money in the long term).
Step Two: Increase Kerb Appeal
A 2019 survey of more than 2,000 home buyers showed that 68% of people think kerb appeal is important. Indeed, the survey indicated that ‘most buyers make up their minds in the first few minutes of arriving at a property’.
With this in mind, it’s important to spend time tidying up your exteriors. Ensure your windows and roof are in good condition, first of all; next, eliminate weeds, trim hedges and trees, and tidy up pathways, fences, and your front door. If you have a driveway or path, take time to sweep and clean it thoroughly.
Step Three: Primp – But Keep it Personal
Sprucing up your home doesn’t need to cost the earth. Simple tricks – like repainting your walls or kitchen cabinets – will make a big difference. Stick to neutral, light colours: a light palette creates the perception of space, making your home look bigger. A ‘blanker’ canvas also allows a buyer to envisage how they might decorate the home, were they to move in.
It’s also important to organise your space and remove any clutter. Tidy away surplus items that have accumulated, or consider putting them in storage. You may also want to get rid of any bulkier furniture items – as mentioned above, creating the illusion of space is vital!
That said, don’t remove so much that the property looks unloved or sparse. A hint of personality is important: you still want your buyers to see what is special and unique about your home.
Step Four: Make Minor Repairs
Finally, now is the time to take care of all those niggling jobs: dripping taps, broken door knobs, patchy carpets, and scuffs/holes in walls. Clean the house from top to bottom, too, eliminating limescale, grubby grouting, and any lingering odours. Invest in some high-quality diffusers and dot these about the home – greeting a viewer with a delightful fragrance makes a great first impression.
These might seem like small things, but they all add up: you want potential buyers to view your home in the very best light, and even minor snags (dirty marks on walls, for example), can send the wrong signal. Spending a little time on fixing, cleaning, and sprucing your home before it goes on the market will pay dividends in the end!
If you’re thinking of moving, don’t hesitate to contact Cherry Godfrey today. As specialist mortgage brokers for residents of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, we have great relationships with all the mainstream lenders – ensuring we can offer our customers the most competitive deals. Get in touch today to discuss your options with one of our expert mortgage advisers – we’re here to help make your property dreams a reality.
