Struggling to sell? Here’s What You Might be Getting Wrong

Are you struggling to sell your property in Tooting? You may love your property, but what are you getting wrong if you’re struggling to sell it?

To sell a property successfully, you’ve got to put yourself in a buyer’s shoes. Potential purchasers will be online, searching the neighbourhood for the best buys and the most appealing places. You have competition, and you’ve got to make your property stand out from the crowd.

There’s no point focusing on problems you can’t change, like the distance from the tube station or an overlooked garden. Look instead for things you can change and improve. Here are 8 things you may be getting wrong if your home is not selling.

1. Your home needs significant repairs

Few potential purchasers want to take on significant repairs like installing a new kitchen, bathroom, or boiler. If you tackle these jobs, you’ll have more chance of selling the property. If you can’t, you may have to lower the price to reflect the work needed.

2. Your home disappoints on viewings

You might love the quirky decor, but the quirkier it is, the fewer buyers will fancy it. If you’re struggling to sell, a lick of neutral colour paint will make your property appealing to more potential buyers.
Cleanliness and tidiness matter too. Clutter and dirt hint at general neglect, putting potential buyers off. To have any chance of a sale, tidy up before each viewing.

3. Your asking price is too high

Online property websites ask prospective purchasers to set a price range for their search. A high asking price will put your house against properties that it can’t compete with. Also, the high price will cut it out of inquiries by less wealthy buyers who might have loved it.

Set your asking price by comparing valuations from three estate agents. Study the local market as if you were a buyer. Find out how properties comparable to yours are selling – quickly or slowly, at or below their asking prices. Then assess the valuations, decide on a realistic starting point, and commission your agent.

4. Your photographs don’t do your home justice

The photographs of your property are your shop window. Potential purchasers will scroll quickly through. Get new images if your photos aren’t making them eager to pick up the phone and book a viewing.

5. Your marketing is not up to scratch

Do your research and ensure you’re with an agent with a good track record of selling properties like yours.

Ensure your estate agent will feature your property on all the major property portals, including Rightmove, Zoopla and OnTheMarket.

Your listing should market your home in the most attractive way possible and include all your property’s key features. Buyers will use search criteria to filter properties, so make sure you include all the attributes of your home. For example, if your property has outside space, off-street parking or a home office, mention it. Estate agents are experts in writing property descriptions, before you hire an estate agent, check out their listings for other properties like yours.

A floorplan is a major asset on a property listing as it helps prospective buyers to imagine themselves living in your home. All good estate agents will provide floor plans as standard.
Don’t overlook the traditional marketing tools. A for-sale board outside your home can help attract potential buyers from passers-by. A prominent spot in your high street agent’s window can help too.

6. Your estate agent is not working hard enough

A good estate agent will regularly update you on how much interest your property is receiving and what buyers think during viewings. If your property has been on the market for a long time and you have had no viewings, ask your estate agent why this is.

You could ask a friend to pose as a potential buyer to assess whether your estate agent is working hard to sell your property. If you are concerned, consider switching to a different estate agent.

7. Your conveyancer is not delivering on time

It’s essential to choose a conveyancer who is reputable, experienced, fast and proactive. If they are not, this can slow down your sale because crucial paperwork is late, missing or incorrect. This frustrates the sale process and exasperates buyers, sometimes causing the sale to collapse completely. Similar issues can arise if you commission conveyancers who are not adequately experienced in certain property sales like yours, for example, a more complex leasehold property.

8. It is a difficult time to sell

Rising interest rates are reducing the number of buyers and the amount people can borrow for a mortgage. This may mean that your property takes slightly longer to sell, or you have to lower the asking price.

The time of year also impacts how long it takes to sell. Spring is traditionally the busiest month with the most buyers but also more sellers too (so you will have more competition). That said, we find one and two-bedroom flats sell well at the beginning of the year as young couples and professionals seek to make a fresh start.

9. You are in a long property chain

If you are in a long property chain, this may be of putting to buyers. You could consider renting or living with friends and family temporarily. This could boost your property’s appeal and mean you receive higher offers. You will also be chain-free when you come to buy your new home, giving you bargaining power when negotiating on price.

Once The Offers Come In

Listen to the estate agent’s advice and be realistic. The offer may be attractive, but a third of all offers fail to turn into purchases. Is your potential purchaser going to deliver? Would you be better off accepting a lower offer from a buyer who is chain free or has already sold their home?

Finally, don’t risk losing a sale through your inefficiency. The sale will require you to provide various pieces of information. Getting the paperwork together takes time; gathering all the information you need in advance can avoid future delays. The documentation you may require includes:

A Property Information Form, also known as a TA6 form, and a TA7 form if you are selling a leasehold property

• Land registry title documents
• Leasehold documents, if yours is a leasehold property
• New build warranties if your property is under 10 years old
• FENSA or CERTASS certificates for windows you have had installed
• Planning permission, party wall agreements and building regulation certificates for any changes you have made to the property

Can We Help?

We’ve been selling properties in Tooting for many years. Get in touch or request a sales property valuation.

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