How to reduce fees when selling your home
Selling your home can be an expensive process. Estate agent fees usually cost around 1% -3.5% of the selling price. Conveyancing can set you back £500 – £1,500 and an EPC can also cost you £60 – £120. Once you have added up these costs it can be a pricey process.
But there are many things to can do to reduce these fees. Just take a look at our tips below to find out how you can save when you are selling your home.
Online Agents
Previously, estate agents worked on a commission basis. That is still true on the high street, but online agencies actually work on a fixed fee basis. This means that only advertising online can save a couple thousand pounds, and if house prices continue to increase, you will save even more.
You may not be familiar with any online estate agents, but don’t worry there is always a tool on the internet to help. There is a site called sellingup.com, this site helps you find the cheapest price to advertise your property online.
Websites like Rightmove and Zoopla only work through Estate Agents, so unless you advertise directly with an estate agent who is registered with these sites, your property will not be advertised on there.
Remember, there are some documents which you will need to be able to sell your home. You will need to obtain an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate), which may cost up to £150.00. You may also need a conveyancer which will also be an extra cost, but don’t be afraid to do a bit of haggling to get the right price.
Photos
You know your home better than anyone, so why not take some photographs to show off its best features? You don’t even need a good camera as the majority of smart phones have a half decent camera on them. You can take your time and really capture your property in all its glory.
To get the best result, make sure everything is clean and tidy. You will need to take a picture of all the rooms and also the outside. Just make sure all that unnecessary clutter is hidden anyway and try and let the light shine through the windows, this will make your home feel light and airy. Just be careful of mirrors and reflective surfaces as you wouldn’t want to capture an unintended selfie!
Viewings
You don’t necessarily need an estate agent to show people around. As the owner, you’ll be the best person to answer any questions any potential buyers have. You wont just have knowledge of the property itself, but you will know what the town is like, what local schools there are and any other information.
Before a viewing, just be aware of any odours, if you have pets or smoke, these smells can really linger in your home. As mentioned in one of our previous blogs, baking fresh bread or making fresh coffee can really entice any potential buyers.
Don’t neglect the outside – gardens can be a massive selling point, as well as a garage. Make sure your garden is nicely presented and that your garage is tidy and clean.
Just remember to give people some space when they are looking around, if you act too keen they might think something is wrong and that you are trying to get rid of your home for one reason or another.
Negotiating
Online agencies will let you choose whether you’re happy to negotiate. They tend to work on a national data for prices, and this will be when your own research becomes useful. Be realistic about the price you want to get.
Selling your home doesn’t have to be expensive, you can do it alone, just remember to get as much information as you can on the selling process, especially if you are on a budget. Don’t forget an estate agent can really help you sell your home, just shop around for some quotes and find the right deal for you.