8 tips to achieve your best price

Acheiving the best price for your property can be a great personal and financial acheivement. Here are our Top 8 tips for achieving the best price when selling your home:

1. Choose your agent well

Whether it is an online agent or traditional find out where your house will be marketed. With 9 out of 10 buyers starting their search online RIghtmove, Zoopla and Primelocation listings are a must. You want an agent with up-to-date marketing techniques, who can pull in maximum viewings - all whilst remaining good value for money. You may be asked to upgrade to a "Premium Listing". This service boosts the advert to the top of the page for local searches, increasing enquiries.

2. Take advice on your valuation

We are constantly being bombarded with conflicting reports of house prices rising or falling. The fact that reports rely on different data sets leads to these contradictions. Some use mortgage valuations, some asking prices and the Land Registry uses what the property actually exchanges for.

Check the price of other properties in the area. We would recommend taking an average of three agents valuations which is also a good idea. The more data the more informed you are and the less risk in your pricing decision. Makeurmove use data from Zoopla and Rightmove to create a solid valuation report.

3. Avoid long chains

A long chain can lead to a sale falling through. The smaller the chain the better. In order to increase flexibility and break the chain, sellers could consider a short-term rental, to coincide with their sale: "It puts you back as a first-time buyer and breaks the chain." Jennifer Challenor, mortgage strategist for Torquil Clark.

4. Showcase your place, give it kerb appeal

Halifax Estate Agents emphasises that it really is important to make a good initial impression. "The first thing prospective buyers see is the outside of the house. A tidy garden and clutter-free drive can make a big difference," it said.

Don't overspend but concentrate on first impressions. Paint the front door, freshen up rooms with a neutral lick of paint. Make sure your rooms are clutter-free and as light and airy as possible

5. Make viewers feel welcome and comfortable at viewings

If you have an agent carry them out for you don't hover over viewers. If you are carrying out the viewings be welcoming but discreet. Let them wander freely around the house. Have to hand answers for questions. You are the best person to sell your house as you have experienced it first hand so use that to your advantage.

6. Use feedback to your advantage

A good agent should provide honest feedback from viewings. Use this to your advantage and where possible make changes. You can even de-list for a short while, get new photos then re-list. This is much better than wasting potential buyers time viewing a property not ready for viewings.

7. Agree a completion date.

"Establish a likely completion date that suits both parties. This will avoid arguments further down the line." Which.co.uk. This gives something to work towards and provides a milestone for all parties to work towards.

8. Make sure exchange of contracts happens as soon as possible

"Exchange of contracts is the point of no return, so it is in the seller's interests to get to this point as soon as you can." (The Telegraph).

Keep in touch with your agent and buyer and return information and communication in a timely and accurate manner.

(Sources: Guardian, Money Supermarket, The Telegraph)

For information on Makeurmove's Online Property Sales Services https://www.makeurmove.co.uk/site/property_sales_packages