What homebuyers want…

March 22, 2017

The house move process is often named as one of the most stressful events in life, but it really needn't be! Selling your home can be made that little bit easier if you understand what your buyers are looking for. For this reason, we’ve put together some hints and tips to help you, if you decide to show potential buyers around your home yourself, instead of a Richard Kendall Estate Agent.

Step into their shoes

Before you meet a prospective buyer, try to get a feel for the type of person they are and what they may be looking for. When you meet for the first time try to find out a bit about their lifestyle, such as where they work, what they do, whether they have children, and if so how old they are. The more information you can find out about them (without interrogating them of course!) the better, as this can help you highlight the plus points that are likely to be most relevant to them. For example, young professionals might be seeking good transport links for commuting as well as some local nightlife such as bars, restaurants and clubs, while families with small children will most likely be seeking green spaces for kids to run around, family friendly activities close by, a safe quiet neighbourhood, and a home in the catchment area for the best local schools.

Retail therapy

Most people like to shop, but whether your buyers love it or loathe it, they will still need to know what’s available nearby. Whether your home is in a small rural village full of local independent shops, or a thriving cosmopolitan town centre with all the popular chain store favourites, make sure they are aware of any retail therapy opportunities on offer (even if it’s just the local supermarket!).

Do your homework

If you are not already familiar with things like how well your local schools are doing, it’s a good idea to find these things out before meeting potential buyers, as this information could offer some valid selling points. If you know the names of your nearest schools, a quick Google search should be enough to find out their most recent Ofsted rating. To find out about crime rates in your local area visit www.crime-statistics.co.uk.

Trains, planes and automobiles

Whoever your prospective buyers are, it is likely they will want to understand what the transport links are like, so remember to point out things like where the railway and/or bus stations are, how frequently services run, and how close you are to major road links into neighbouring towns and cities. Ease of getting about quickly in today’s busy and pressured lifestyle can be a great selling point for many people.

A warm welcome

If you are expecting viewers, take 5 minutes before they arrive to make sure the home seems as inviting as possible. Move any clutter out of sight, have a quick whizz round with the vacuum, plump your cushions and ensure it looks clean, tidy and inviting!

Get social

Letting as many people know that your home is on the market can increase your chances of securing that all important sale. Word of mouth can be a surprisingly powerful tool, so once your home is on the market, tell your friends and family, and post a note on your social media accounts too. If you are holding an open day, make sure you mention the time and date.

We hope these tips are helpful. If you’d like our experts to sell your house, get in touch here!