How best to sell an house when 200 miles away?

danthemoneysavingman

Hi all,
hoping for some helpful suggestions.
My siblings and I have inherited a house which we now need to sell. The option-limiting factor we have is none of us live anywhere near it, so we cannot be around to manage viewings at all.
Are there any good options to help us sell the house beyond engaging a local estate agent and trusting them with the keys?


All helpful comments warmly appreciated!


No doubt I've given far too few details so pls let me know what other info may help here.


Thanks !

xylophone

You might consider an "open day" for all viewings so that one or two of you could travel down if you wanted to be there.

An open day on an acquaintance's house was efficiently managed by a local agent with none of the owners present - the agent collated the offers, a buyer was selected and all went through within about twelve weeks.

Nobbie1967

What's wrong with using the estate agent to handle the viewings, that's what you pay them for. I don't really understand the issue here???

I suppose you and your siblings could all descend on the house one weekend to clear it out, tidy it up and make the presentation better, or pay a house clearance company.

getmore4less

Just have an agent do the work.

Have a plan
Initial clearance of everything you want to keep/valuable.
then consider totaly empty or dressed with what's there to be removed when sold.

Then you have the insurance issue that will often require heating on or draining

Between you plan visits, to do things like cut the grass.

danthemoneysavingman

Nobbie1967 wrote: »

What's wrong with using the estate agent to handle the viewings, that's what you pay them for. I don't really understand the issue here???

Hi,
there's not a "issue", I am asking for options if people can suggest any.

Loanranger

You have answered your own question: engage an estate agent and let them handle the viewings and take the offers.
You do not need to be there at all. Some would argue that it is better for the seller not be present, fussing around and inhibiting the potential buyers from opening cupboards and asking pertinent questions.

danthemoneysavingman

Loanranger wrote: »

You have answered your own question: engage an estate agent and let them handle the viewings and take the offers.

Thanks, but my question is "are there any other options", so I haven't answered my own question!


I do appreciate your reasoning however, which is why estate agent is the obvious option. But I merely wondered what other options people might suggest.


Thanks

pollydollydoodah

I'd say obvious choice is have an estate agent. I would have thought there aren't many options...other than an open day if it's a popular area.

knightstyle

We are in the same boat, 223miles including M25!
1. Clear all things family want.
2. Put valuable stuff in a local auction with no reserve.
3. Give Estate agent the keys and let them do their job.

danthemoneysavingman

UPDATE: I contacted purplebricks.com as a fact-finding endeavour and I am told they can indeed manage that whole side of it without us needing to be there... whether they are the best choice, or others offer the same, or better service, what PB.com are like etc I'm not yet sure, so I welcome feedback from anyone with experience with them


This is of course just another option but it's good to know (and their fees are only £798 at time of writing, which will be a darn sight less than an agency I'm sure (if they sell it anyway!) ).


So keep those ideas coming guys.


[Hope this thread can also help others so information is king]

buglawton

Assuming it's still furnished, engage a house sitter via a house sitting agency. Have them mind the property and handle viewings.

Eg
http://www.housesittersuk.co.uk/house-sitting-england