Making the decision to put your house on the market can be a difficult one. There can be a number of factors to weigh up, including both lifestyle and financial, which may be encouraging you to sell your home.
Many of us become emotionally attached to our abodes and can find taking the plunge a daunting or even saddening thought. But if the New Year has found you checking out Rightmove and questionning whether now is a great time to bite the bullet and have a fresh start in a new home or whether you and possibly your family are in need of a change, then these are the tell tale signs you are probably ready to sell your house.
Space is an issue – Whether you have too much or too little, space is usually the number one reason most people want to move house. Either way, it’s time to address the problem. It’s not healthy to live in an environment which is causing you stress on a daily basis by either being too cramped or by wasting energy on space not needed. If space has become your issue, it’s time to move.
You’ve earned equity – After the property boom in 2007, many homeowners could not consider selling their property for several years after for fear of being in negative equity. However, since then property has slowly but surely regained its same value and then some. In fact, homeowners have found their property has gained tens of thousands of pounds over the past decade, with home values across the country steadily rising year upon year. With the equity you may have built-in your home, you could finally put it towards a down payment on your next property, or even be in a position to become a cash buyer, enjoying no mortgage if you choose to move.
It’s a seller’s market – Currently, it’s a seller’s market, which means you are more likely to achieve asking or close to asking price on your property. Instructions are on the rise though, so now is the perfect time to sell your house while demand is strong. If you wait too long it could become flooded and quickly flip to become the buyer’s market.
You’ve stopped maintaining – If you were once excited by colour schemes, home improvements and landscaping, but now struggle to gain the energy to even mow the lawns or hang a new picture, this could be a sign that your property no longer excites you and that you have become complacent and bored with your dwelling. It may be that you want a house that’s maintenance-free or you’re looking for a project to re-invigorate your imagination. Either way, perhaps it’s time to look at properties available that will inspire you.
Life changes – One thing is for sure, you never know what twists and turns life is going to throw at you. Growing or shrinking families, a new job in a new area or with a new salary, retirement and divorce, are all common reasons why people choose or need to move home. Ultimately, a happy home is one that suits all major factors within your life. For each phase, you may go through in life – make sure you find the house that’s the right fit for you!
As we find ourselves in a new year, now could be the perfect time to put your property on the market. Although many may think it’s best to hold off until spring, serious buyers do not give up searching over the winter. You can take advantage of this temporary imbalance of supply and demand now by being one of the properties that are actually new on the market! Whilst viewing activity may be slightly less frenetic, you can be assured that every viewing will count, as you will only be dealing with serious buyers, and buyers in a similar situation to your own. And serious buyers are usually less concerned by a sad-looking garden, or poor daylight. Indeed, cosy lighting and a real fire will often enhance your chances of a successful winter sale.
Many sellers will inevitably wait until the spring before putting their property on the market – which could flood the market and potentially thwart prices. However, last year’s backlog of frustrated buyers are looking today.
So, if you have decided it’s time for a fresh start in a new home, we suggest you take advantage of the situation, be strategic, and position your property for an early sale at a time when demand is likely to outstrip supply – which is about now! We will be happy to come out and meet you, explain how we do things differently at Arden Estates and provide a free valuation of your property. We offer assistance and advice on all aspects of selling your property, as well as helping you find your next dream home.
Happy New Year!