Both Mark and myself have been in the property business for over thirty years and have worked through boom and bust several times. Whilst each high or low in the market comes with its own challenges, neither of us have witnessed anything like the immediate switch off which COVID 19 has brought to the property market.
By the nature of the business which we run, we have a team of people who are motivated and keen to be ‘doing’. Now, deemed as a non-essential business we are faced with encouraging staff to ‘not do’, because that is what the Government (understandably ) have requested.
So that has lead us to think about what we can suggest or do for you in the interim period. We want to ensure that when this is all over, and life as we knew it resumes that you are in the most viable selling position that you can be.
We want to encourage you to look at the opportunity which this unexpected time at home affords you. With that in mind we have formulated a guide of ‘TOP TIPS’ for presenting your home to get the BEST PRICE’. A copy of this is attached.
We are not assuming that you will whirl through your home, guidelines in hand completing every TIP which we recommend. We are not recommending that you resist the temptation to watch another box set on net flicks, download another best seller on your e reader or eat another bag of the kids haribo whilst opening a bottle of something lovely!
What we are suggesting is that you read through the guide and pick out a few points that may be pertinent to you. Once you have decided on which points would work for you, put some time aside each day, just an hour or so, and make it happen.
We all know what we should do, but sometimes we need someone or something to give us a nudge.
Perhaps in the first week you could look to Clear Out The Clutter and Reduce Personal Items.
When we recommend ‘clearing the clutter’ to people, they often think that there is little point. Sellers will often say ‘we are moving so we will pack it then or this is why we are moving!’
Whilst that’s true from your point of view as a seller, you now need to be considering things from a BUYERS POINT OF VIEW.
When a buyer walks in to your home they make assumptions in the first few seconds. Your home doesn’t have to be tip top, but by clearing things away you will give an appearance of space and light. These are definite ‘tick box ‘ requirements for the majority of buyers.
Also, by starting to pack your items away you set your own mindset for moving which gives you a positive perspective.
When we discuss ‘removing personal items’, we often have a similar response from sellers. ‘’We aren’t leaving it, the buyer can put what they want there or we are still living here and like our things’’
Again, these are perfectly sensible responses from a sellers point of view. But look at it from the eye of the buyer, if there are so many photos around or interesting ornaments buyers will look at them and maybe even discuss them with you. This leads to a distracted conversation about something other than the property. We are all naturally curious and are easily drawn to commenting on things of little relevance if we feel nervous or uncertain. When a buyer comes in to your home they will feel naturally apprehensive so we need their viewing time to be focused. This allows them to concentrate on the property and what it offers and whether it fits their requirements.
If you think that you need some advice which is relative to you we will be pleased to use ZOOM or FACETIME to discuss things with you directly. Send an email to sales@jacksonsproperty.co.uk and I will a make an appoint to come back to for a VIRTUAL appointment.
Presently the lockdown period seems forever, but its not, it will pass. As soon as the country is allowed to gradually return to work and people come back to a more ordinary way of life we are confident that the market will be as responsive as it was a few weeks ago.
In the meantime we intend to keep in touch offering tips, ideas and links on how you can ensure that you are ready to be one of the first post Covid 19 sales to happen.
Stay safe and look after each other.
Kind regards Jac & Mark
