February may seem the last month to have in mind when considering a spring / summer move, but in actual fact, it is in the action you take now that will secure a smooth transition to your new home during the finer months.
Many people find that once the clock strikes midnight and we enter a New Year, the idea to move feels natural and carries with it that concept of a new start somewhere different. This is why portals show record property searches and we see an increase in potential sellers and buyers approaching us to show their interest in taking that new leap.
So, what is it about this time of year that sets up the thought of moving?
Why now?
A variety of factors can alter the average time it takes from placing an offer to the completion of a sale, some factors may even be out of your control. But on average, you would be looking at somewhere around 15 weeks until you receive or hand over the keys to a property in the current market climate.
This means if you were to put your house on the market by the third week of February, you would see your sale (hopefully) go through by the beginning of June. Whilst it may seem far away, the process of moving home, or indeed selling one, can be affected by circumstances that cause an inevitable delay. So for a move to coincide with the spring or summer, we advise putting your house on the market sooner rather than later is best.
The best way to plan a move, is to plan it in advance and ensure you are working with agents who will assist you in ways that lessen the time frame as much as possible. Keep this in mind when choosing your agent. This something we pride ourselves in doing, partly with the help of a dedicated in house progression team and our Secure Sale service.
The Sandersons Secure Sale service
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Secure Sale service has two parts. Firstly, our sellers complete an upfront Property Information pack, which includes material information about their property which not only saves time during the sale, it also gives your buyer as much information upfront, meaning they are able to make a more informed offer and are less likely to change their mind mid transaction.
Secondly, each party enters into a secure reservation agreement that prevents either party from simply walking away after an offer is accepted unless there is a valid reason,. This means they cannot simply change their minds. If an agreement is made, both parties sign a contract and are both bound by the terms within.
In situations where a party chooses to withdraw without mutual agreement, then the innocent party is entitled to compensation. This is an incredibly effective way to ensure that both parties within the sale are serious about their decision, and offers great reassurance to ensure a smooth sale.
Whilst there is a cost involved in the Secure Sale service, it is by comparison very small when you factor in all the legal costs, removal costs, or wasted time, including any other plans you will have to then change as a result of your move not going ahead.
This is also a fantastic way to ensure your sale goes through as quickly as possible in a pre-agreed timeframe, keeping you in line for that spring / summer move.
How to get 'home ready'
Homes are almost never ready to sell as soon as the thought occurs, so it comes as no shock that it can take a few weeks to get it ready to market. You will want to consider the following after you decide you would like to sell your home:
- Professional photos – Your photos should represent your home and maximise all the strong points about it. It is important to de-clutter as much as possible to make it easier for a buyer to picture themselves living there. The aim is to create space so the photos show a clear view of the room.
- Video – Some estate agents now offer to video your home and upload it online, to give potential buyers a really good idea of what it feels like to be inside.
- Floorplans – Floorplans need to be created in order to show the size and layout of your home, and where each room is situated.
- Detailed and accurate property descriptions – These, alongside everything else that markets your home above, will give your home as many dimensions as possible to those who display interest online. It can be the difference between an agreed viewing and a pass.
Like everything worth having or doing, it takes time to set your home up to be sale ready. We believe that starting sooner rather than later will give you the chance to move in time to enjoy summer in your new home.
If you wish to start the sale process of your property, give us a call at Sandersons today to discuss your options on 01227 784 784