Are You 90 Days Away From Selling Your Home?
Most People Start Thinking About Moving Long Before They Put Their Home On The Market.
You might be looking at properties online, wondering what you could afford next or talking about whether now is the right time. You may have no firm date in mind. That is perfectly normal.
If selling in the next three months is a possibility, a little preparation now can make the decision much easier.
Start with the move you want to make
Before deciding when to sell, work out what you need from your next home. Is it more space, less maintenance, a different location or a change in lifestyle?
Then look at the costs. Alongside the price of your next property, allow for legal fees, moving costs and any mortgage costs. If you have an existing mortgage, check whether you would face an early repayment charge or could take your current deal with you.
You do not need every answer straight away, but you do need a clearer picture of whether the move works for you.
Get an honest view of your home’s value
Online estimates can be a starting point, but they cannot see the condition of your home or understand what makes it different from others nearby.
A local estate agent can show you comparable properties, explain what is happening in your part of the market and give you a sensible range to plan around.
That range is an informed opinion, not a promise. No agent can know with certainty what your home will sell for before buyers have seen it. What matters is having a clear plan for how to bring it to market, listen to feedback and respond if needed.
An early conversation can help you make decisions without any pressure to sell immediately.
Ask before spending money on the house
Once you start thinking about selling, it is easy to notice every job you have been meaning to do.
Some are worth tackling. A leaking tap, damaged paintwork or an untidy entrance can affect a buyer’s first impression. A new kitchen or bathroom is a much bigger decision, and you may not recover what you spend.
Before committing to expensive work, ask for an honest opinion about what buyers are likely to notice and what you can leave alone.
Find the paperwork while you have time
You can also start gathering documents relating to your home, such as paperwork for extensions, building work, windows, guarantees and certificates. If your property is leasehold, find out what information you hold about the lease and management arrangements.
Your solicitor will tell you what is needed for your sale. Finding what you already have now is usually easier than searching for it once you have found a buyer.
Choose your timing with a plan
Being 90 days away from selling does not mean you must list your home in 90 days. You might decide to move sooner, wait until later or stay where you are.
The benefit of preparing early is that the choice is yours. You can understand your likely budget, decide which jobs matter and think about how your home should be marketed before you feel rushed.
If a move is starting to feel like a real possibility, we would be happy to talk it through with you. We can give you an honest view of the local market and help you work out what your next steps could look like.
The Mather Partnership
Helston and Hayle
Local. Independent. Trusted.