Get your home ready for sale with a little help from the House Doctor, Ann Maurice

Why use an estate agent?
‘Although your house is ready to sell, you’re not out of the woods yet – it’s time to find an estate agent. The right agent can make the difference between your house selling quickly and at the right price or languishing on the market forever. While the agent must be a good salesperson, he or she also needs a basic grounding in finance, law, building, and occasionally, even interior design – and they should have the relevant experts at his or her fingertips, when necessary.’

How to choose an agent
‘There are so many estate agents it’s hard to know which one to pick. So, to find one you can trust and rely on, it’s worth spending a little time carefully doing your research first.’

CHOOSE A SPECIALIST
‘It’s important to select an agent who specialises in your area if your house is to be valued at its correct price and give high local visibility. Also, the agent needs to be knowledgeable enough to answer any questions a potential buyer may have about the surrounding area.’

KEEP IN TOUCH
‘Let the agent know you’re serious about making a quick sale.’

AVOID USING FAMILY AND FRIENDS
‘However good an agent a friend may be, if something goes wrong your relationship may not stand the strain. If someone you know can recommend an agent based on experience, so much the better.’

CHOOSE SOMEONE YOU CAN TRUST
‘Look for an agent who meets your particular needs as they will be representing you to the buying public. Selling a house is an emotional event. You need to feel your agent is someone to whom you can always relate.’

BE SELECTIVE
‘Take time to interview at least three agencies and ask them exactly how they are going to market your home and, of course, how they intend to value it.’

DO YOUR RESEARCH
‘Ask if you can contact previous clients for references and ask to see a list detailing the sales they’ve achieved in the previous 18 months – this shouldn’t be a problem.’

PROTECT YOURSELF
‘Only employ an agent who is a member of the National Association of Estate Agents in order to protect yourself if a problem arises later on in the process.’

DON’T SKIMP
‘Remember that you usually get what you pay for. Don’t automatically choose the agent charging the lowest commission.’

HEDGE YOUR BETS
‘For greater exposure, you may want to use more than one agent, but always remember that quantity probably won’t produce
quality service.’

EXPECT THE BEST
‘Make it clear from the very outset exactly what you expect of your agent. This way, you run little danger of being let down.’

WORK TOGETHER
‘Finally, having chosen your agent, co-operate as best as you can and try to avoid any misunderstandings. After all, you’re both working towards a goal: the swift and successful sale of your home.’

What to look for in your new home

‘Staging your home for sale is only one part of the equation. If you’re selling, you’re most likely to be buying a new home too, so it’s worth providing a few pointers to help you to be sure that it’s the right one for you, as well as reminding you how buyers may be researching your home.’

IS IT FOR YOU?
‘Mentally strip the house of its furniture and look at the space itself, imagining how it will suit your kind of lifestyle and possessions. If you have trouble envisaging that, get a friend or a professional to help.’

STRUCTURE
‘Look for any red flags that might suggest something more sinister is wrong with the house. Check for signs of damp, cracks, mould, subsidence – anything unusual that catches your eye. The excessive use of air fresheners might be covering something unwelcome.’

FITTINGS
‘Look at the floors and windows, and ensure they don’t need replacing.’

MAJOR REPAIRS
‘Ascertain whether you will have to refit the bathroom or the kitchen, that the wiring is sound and that the central heating system works properly. All these things are expensive to replace and you will not want those unexpected costs when you move in.’

SPACE
‘Check there’s space for any particular fittings or appliances you may have.’

STORAGE
‘Ensure there will be room for your larger items of furniture and enough storage and cupboard space.’

HIDDEN EXTRAS
‘Look underneath carpets to see the flooring beneath. If one day you’re looking forward to having stripped floorboards, you will be disappointed later to discover that the floors are in fact concrete slab.’

ASK THE EXPERTS
‘Get a professional in to check the structure of the house and have a solicitor go carefully through the deeds, conduct a local authority search and administrate your acquisition. It’s a lengthy and detailed procedure best left to someone with experience.’

TAKE A SECOND LOOK
‘Visit the property at different times of the day to see if it’s affected by traffic, local noise or fumes. You can also see where the sun falls on the property and at which time of the day.’

CHECK THE BOUNDARIES
‘Ensure the boundaries of the property are exactly those described in the particulars – your lawyer should be able to help.’

GET TO KNOW THE AREA
‘Sound out the facilities that may be relevant to you – schools, amenities, plans for future development – to avoid unpleasant surprises.’

TALK TO THE NEIGHBOURS
‘Get a real sense of the neighbourhood, then weigh up the positive aspects against the negative ones.’

ON THE UP?
‘Find out whether the area is on the up or has peaked. If you’re planning on living there for long, this is an important consideration.’

WHY IS IT FOR SALE?
‘Find out why the owners are selling. The chances are if they can’t live with the barking dog or the loud music, you won’t either.’

IS IT THE RIGHT PRICE?
‘Check what sort of price other properties have sold for in the area, so that you can gauge whether or not your price is right.

‘But most important of all, whatever the particular circumstances or idiosyncrasies of the property you are buying, it must feel like home!’ ■

Photos: istockphoto/Shutterstock