Selling bungalow - advice

adonis10

So, the bungalow renovation is almost complete and it's nearly time to sell.

Two things:

1. Thinking about trying to sell it privately to save on estate agents costs. If it doesn't work out, we can use an agent at a later date. What sort of issues do I need to consider when going down this route?

2. The property is situated in a quiet cul-de-sac and is at the end, which is a nice location. However, there are no gates up which means it is easy for anyone to walk up the drive and snoop around the garden etc. There is a kind of cut through area to other roads (hard to explain). We are considering putting up gates for extra privacy, however I am wondering whether this will actually help sell it and whether the cost is worthwhile. Had a quote for some very good quality gates - £600 inc VAT and everything. I wonder whether it is worth advertising before going ahead with the gates purchase. They will look good and add privacy but that's for the new owner to decide. On the other hand, it may help sell. Thoughts?

MacMickster

The first issue that I can see is that your target market for a bungalow is largely the elderly. They are more likely to look for a house the traditional way by looking in an Estate Agent's window. Trying to sell privately may miss most of these potential buyers.

adonis10

MacMickster wrote: »

The first issue that I can see is that your target market for a bungalow is largely the elderly. They are more likely to look for a house the traditional way by looking in an Estate Agent's window. Trying to sell privately may miss most of these potential buyers.

Yeah, this is one issue we've considered. However, we did think that if advertising privately only costs £100-150 then it may be worth advertising for a month or so. If nothing happens, then try an agent.

adonis10

Any other thoughts, particularly on the gates?

somethingcorporate

Wait until you have had some views and gathered some feedback. It may not appear as an initial problem to people viewing the house. It may have only occurred to you having lived there.

I'd get an estate agent (or three) around for a valuation and ask their opinion. Don't waste your money trying to solve a problem that might not exist.

adonis10

somethingcorporate wrote: »

Wait until you have had some views and gathered some feedback. It may not appear as an initial problem to people viewing the house. It may have only occurred to you having lived there.

I'd get an estate agent (or three) around for a valuation and ask their opinion. Don't waste your money trying to solve a problem that might not exist.

Thanks. My thoughts exactly. Trying to bring the sellers (parents) around to this way of thinking. It's been like a pet project for my retired father, who has done much of the work, so he wants it to look as good as possible. I appreciate this but I'm more financially minded and trying to persuade them that it's not for them to live in so don't spend what you don't need to. We put up a new fence and the posts are in place should someone want to put up gates.

Yes, going to get a few valuations soon. Just a couple of bits to finish inside the property and then it'll be good to go.

Davesnave

I think you need to get it sold before winter, in which case you ought to get your skates on!

I wouldn't mess about with private ads, but accept the small hit of an estate agent's fees as a price paid for getting the house on Rightmove and in front of as many potential buyers as possible.

The choice of agent is the most important thing IMO, but only you can do that with proper internet based research and, maybe, as a 'mystery shopper' too.

You don't say where this bungalow is, but in most of the country beyond the M25, things are not good for sellers, and there's nothing to suggest they will improve if you delay.

The gates - a minor issue, not a deal maker or breaker.

Jeffrey_Shaw

If the elderly are your likely target market, maybe forget about 'online' and do it the traditional way so as to catch them.

adonis10

The target market will be older people due to the nature of the property. It is in Wimborne.

I may decide against private selling as it probably won't reach enough people. I have, however, considered using an online estate agent. I've seen a few with headline quotes of £349 no extras etc., but just wondering how realistic this actually is. They do claim that the property will go onto RightMove though, which is obviously good.

What are your thoughts on online estate agents and, if you've used one, what are your experiences? It is all finished and ready to be sold, so really need to kick on now.

poppysarah

Ask the neighbours if they have any friends who are looking to move in to the neighbourhood?

sugarwalsh

I don't think you can under estimate the power of talking to people and 'selling' the property yourself. When we sold our house we advertised it everywhere - local shops, papers, friends, facebook,, free sites, the list was endlesss. I personally don't rate most estate agents though! Welooked around a lot of houses and didn't find one good one - until the one who showed us our house. She knew what we were looking for and got it spot on. So, research good agents and if you chose to do it yourself then be prepared to work tirelessly at it!!

Megan