10 top tips for selling your home in Croydon. (2020 Update)

Are you ready to sell your house or flat in Croydon?

Follow these top ten tips to help you create the right impact for potential buyers.

1. First impressions count! Make sure the path to your property is clear. Remove any overgrown weeds, cut the grass and spruce up any paintwork – especially the front door and any fences. Brighten up the entrance with a hanging basket or two. You want potential house buyers to want more by coming inside your home.

2. Declutter your home. Room by room ask yourself does that need to be there.? By decluttering you create the vision of more space. Your potential buyers will be thinking where they can put their furniture as they view each room.

3. Property maintenance shows you have cared and looked after your home. Change any blown bulbs, loose door handles, broken sockets. Clean the windows and even the carpets.

4. If you have any pets keep them out of the way during viewing periods. No one wants a dog jumping up at them!

5. Where you can, define each room. If you have a dining room, for example make sure vendors know it is a dining room. Children’s toys stacked up in the corner or a clothes drying rack give the impression of a lack of space.

6. Don’t tag along – unless you are asked of course! Let the viewer/s explore your home to get a feel for your property. Be on hand to answer any questions or to slip into the conversation the good points about your home such as the broadband speed, how quiet it is of an evening or where the local shops are.

If your estate agent comes along, they will know this information and inform the potential buyers during the viewing.

7. Shortlist your potential buyers. Not everyone will be in the same position to complete the property purchase. There are those in a selling chain waiting for their home to sell which may delay the sale of yours.

If a chain consists of a seller using an online estate agent, there may be further delays - online agents rarely have staff to ‘progress’ sales by chasing up conveyancers or local councils for key information. Part of a chain involving an online agency is usually slower than parts of the chain using high street agents. This is where Paul O’Shea Homes in Croydon can help.  

First time buyers are usually preferred as they are not in any chain and are generally ready to go. The risk element is removed as they are not in any transactions.

Once you have received offers don’t be afraid to ask about your potential buyers position

Does the potential buyer already have a mortgage or mortgage in principle in place? If so, this can reduce the transaction time.

8. Choosing the right estate agent in Croydon to act on your behalf is key to your house or flat sale. You will want an agent that knows the area, is prepared to attend viewings with potential buyers and someone with a track record of selling properties like yours in the local area.

9. Setting the right valuation for your property is crucial to successfully selling your property in Croydon. Price it high - no one comes through the door leaving you frustrated. Price it too low, and you might end up selling for much less than you could have got.

Your estate agent will have done their homework and will know the prices that properties are selling for in your area.

10. Get your documents in order! You will be asked to provide various items of paperwork when selling your home. You may not have or need all of them but it helps to be prepared in advance to avoid any delays.

Quick checklist:

• Property title deeds 
• Property details and floor plan from when you bought it 
• Energy performance certificate, if you bought the property less than 10 years ago
• Building regulation certificates
• Planning permission certificates
• Electrical certificates
• Recent gas/electric/phone bills
• Buildings insurance policy
• Contents insurance policy
• Mortgage roll/account number Lease (if it’s leasehold)
• Builder’s warranty, if the property is under 10 years old

For more advice you can telephone Paul O’Shea Homes in Croydon on 020 8681 7000 or use the contact details to get in touch with our sales team.