Following on from the success of our online talk on buying a home, our co-founder Albert Hill and managing director Lou Willocks recently hosted a second talk sharing the practicalities of selling your home. From how to present your home to the importance of accurate pricing, we’ve outlined some of their key recommendations below …

Our online sessions are proving popular so we’ve decided to host another talk in November. Follow along on our socials for more details: @themodernhouse; @inigo.house

“Be clear on the ‘big five’ selling points of your home”

Most people who look at your listing will be zooming through it at a rapid rate. It’s crucial to highlight the five most attractive features of your home in the opening paragraph, as well as in the first few photos. Perhaps you have a beautiful garden, a light-filled kitchen or original period features – whatever it is, make sure it’s immediately obvious in your listing. Asking estate agents what they would highlight as the house’s big five selling points is a great way to feel them out too, and a good estate agent will be able to reinforce these features during viewings.

“Choose your estate agent wisely”

The right estate agent can help you find the perfect buyer for your home. Look for an agent that will shepherd your buyer through to completion, rather than lose interest after an offer has been accepted.

Choose an estate agent that features homes on their website (rather than just on Rightmove), as this suggests that they have their own pool of prospective buyers. If your home has defining features that make it appealing to a particular audience, choose an agency that has access to this type of client to help you to achieve the best possible price.

Compare two or three agencies before making your decision, and try to assess how organised, emotionally intelligent and enthusiastic they are. Test out how responsive they are to calls and emails, and consider booking a viewing with them – mystery-shopper style – to see if they’re a good fit. You’ll be surprised at the amount of time you’ll spend communicating with the agent, so it’s helpful if you have a good rapport with them from the start.

“Don’t be afraid to express your style”

If you have a distinctive taste and style, you shouldn’t necessarily hide it. Bold design choices can make your home stand out from the crowd, and some of our best-selling homes are those with a unique style that our buyers appreciate too. When preparing for viewings, of course it’s important to tidy up and declutter, but there’s no need to strip away all character. A home with personality feels inviting, and buyers are likely to respond well to it.

“The ‘What else?’ test”

Stepping into a prospective buyer’s shoes is the best way to understand the attitude of the market, and how people might feel about your home. Buyers will be comparing your home to many others, so you should also look online to see what else is available. You may find that your home is a strong contender compared to others in your area – or that a few improvements would help it to match the standard of the rest. This knowledge can help you to price accurately too.

“Be ready to jump for a good offer”

The first two weeks after a house has gone on the market are critical, as this is when it is first exposed to a market of people actively looking to buy. After this period, it’s a case of waiting for new buyers to come across it. Pricing your home realistically from the start gives you the best chance of achieving the best-possible price – rather than pricing too high and having to reduce later on.

Although getting an offer early on can feel overwhelming, you should be ready to jump if it matches (or is close to) the figure you’re looking for. Interest is likely to tail off after the initial flurry, and it’s often a case of making hay while the sun shines. Choose a solicitor and get your contract pack ready early, so that things can start moving as soon as you have a good offer.

If your home has been on the market for a while and is not achieving much interest, it’s fine to take a break. Consider having new photos taken, and take into account any post-viewing feedback or suggestions for improvement.

“Good photography is key”

The photos are the most important part of presenting your home and shouldn’t be underestimated. Video works too, but nothing captures the feel of a home like strong photography. You know your house better than anyone else – think about what makes it look its best. It could be the time of year when the garden is flourishing, or a certain time of day when the light pours in through a window. Don’t be shy about explaining these things to the photographer; great photos are what often makes a house stand out from the competition.

“Keep polite pressure on your estate agent and solicitor”

Be prepared to (politely) push your estate agent and solicitor to help the sale progress. Hopefully, if you’ve chosen a good team to start with, this shouldn’t be required very often, but it’s important to keep up to date with how the sale is progressing and try to nip any issues in the bud. Make sure you choose an estate agent and a solicitor that are good at communicating, and who you trust to get the job done.

Words Holly Nicholas
Photography James Tarry; French+Tye; Dan Glasser; Jeremy Souteyrat; Kristy Noble