It’s always important to be prepared when you’re selling your home, but it’s that little bit more important if you’re hoping for a Christmas sale. While we’re not promising that you’ll be cooking your turkey in your new home if you follow our tips, you’ll have a good chance of finding a buyer over the holiday season.
Get all your paperwork sorted
From January to November, most properties need ten or 11 viewings to sell. However, in December it only takes four or five viewings because people who are viewing at Christmas are more motivated. To take advantage of this, you should have everything conveyancing-related ready to go so that once you have a buyer you can get the process off to a flying start.
Ask for the right price
If there’s one thing that’ll slow down a sale, it’s the wrong price. Using a local estate agent will often eliminate this risk as they know their market really well and can pitch the right price to the right people.
Make sure your agent has as much access as possible
Yes, they do know it’s Christmas, but you’re hoping to snag your festive buyer, so be ready to hit one of Cheltenham’s Christmas markets at short notice while your agent does their stuff. It might feel rushed and inconvenient, but each viewer counts.
Make sure your property looks its best
Although you might only have four or five viewers before you find The One, this doesn’t mean that you don’t have to spruce up the place. Change any dim or dead lightbulbs, tidy up the garden, light the fire and make sure that those viewers get the best possible first impression.
It’s vital to declutter before you hit the market, so even though you might have your tree and other Christmas decorations up, aim to get rid of anything that’s not coming with you to your new home. You should also go easier than usual on the Christmas decor as it’ll distract viewers and make the place feel smaller.
Find a brilliant solicitor
An efficient solicitor can speed things up quite a bit, shaving off a couple of weeks from offer to exchange, so ask your estate agent for the best one they know.
If you can get the ball rolling on your conveyancing before you even find a buyer, that’s even better. You might pay a bit extra, but it’s worth it if you’re in your new home sooner.
Sort out your mortgage provider
Having a mortgage in principle on your new property will also save a lot of time, as well as show the vendors that you’re serious and ready to go. They’re also trying to sell at Christmas, so they’re looking for a quality viewer as well!
