Are we doing the right thing? Re tarting up house

Davesnave

Oh, there is real poverty and deprivation in Bath, believe me, but we won't tell the rest of the world that! :rotfl:

4or 5 valuations sounds good. Remember, you are checking out the agent to see how on the ball they are. Last time I rang one there I got an answering machine, so start evaluating from the word go. Look at their presentation of similar properties and whether they do room plans. Remember some EAs will talk a property and valuation up to get business, so if one seems wildly ahead of the others, be suspicious.

A couple of weeks from first contact to all systems go would be the max; it should be less. I would want to see the first draft of the details and make amendments before going live with anything though.

Marshflower

Brilliant, thank you :beer:

Sally_A

We sold our home in Odd Down a few years ago, and used Apple in Moorland Road.
Negotiated a good rate with them, and they seemed proactive in selling the property, and gave regular feedback.
They are a small company, and it was our first ever house sale, so sometimes it was hard to make contact, as I guess they were out doing showings etc.
This was whilst the market was allegedly at rock bottom, put it on the market just prior to Christmas, fully aware would get no sensible offers until the new year, even had viewings between Christmas and New Year.
Accepted an offer approx. last week in Jan and exchanged mid-March.

Marshflower

Fab, thank you Sally! Apple are actually on my short list as they successfully sold another bungalow in similar area for a very good price just recently. It's great to hear a recommendation for them, thank you.

Sally_A

I used them as sole agents, so got a better % deal on their charge. However, did not leave this open ended, I think 3 months was the agreed time.

Write down your wants/deals agreed etc. at the time of valuation and get it signed by both of you.

Also, rather than them give me a valuation, they asked what I thought the sale price should be; also have a list of the plus points of your home, as they will use these when they have potential buyers, and you know what you like about your location better than they do. Also tell them why you moving, a prospective purchaser would rather know that you are sadly leaving the area due to a new job, rather than running for the hills because of the local oiks.

Have info to hand like council tax band, approx. water/electric/gas bills, ie. all the questions you would have if you were buying a home - even a handy info pack would help.

Help them, to help you get a sale.

My plus points were; end of a cul de sac - hence no passing traffic, quiet and good for kids, near a park, good for kids and pets, good schools nearby. The house had been let, so all gas and electric checks were up to date. Great neighbours, we lived there for 22 years before moving.

I_have_spoken

But I’m digressing. Is all this worth doing? All this work?

You need to separate work that makes the property more saleable from that which adds value.

Installing GCH is in the grey area of a 'tick box' as peeps expect CH and adding value by improving the property. If the market is picking and and you price sensibly, probably not a show stopper.

Replacing rotten windows etc. I'd say is in the 'must do' otherwise you are selling a 'project' and will get knocked back heavily on price.

is all this freshening and de cluttering and hiding of mess worth it?

In the current market, yes. Just browse the awful, awful places in the 'Have a look at this!' thread...