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5. Get a loan agreed in theory.
Now you have to approach a mortgage lender and work with him to determine exactly how much you can comfortably afford to borrow. He will take into account many factors but these will include amount you have as a down payment and amount you earn. Ultimately he will arm you with a budget with which you can now work when searching for your new home.
6. Begin searching for your new house.
Now you have a budget to work with you can begin exciting process of searching for a new home. It may seem dull to have to get all financial facts and figures in place before heading off to find that dream house, but by doing all ground work first you will be less likely to fall in love with an unsuitable, unaffordable home. You will not have set yourself up for a fall; you will once again have set yourself up for success.
7. Give your home a makeover!
Take advice given to you by real estate agents and get to work with repairs, renovations and heavy work needed to bring your house up to top of market.
8. Find best real estate agent.
Having already met and worked with real estate agents for valuation of your home get back in touch with your preferred agent and ask them to revalue and then market your home. If you are in doubt about which agent to choose speak to any friends, family and colleagues in your local area who have recently bought, sold or rented property through an agent and ask for personal recommendations. You need to feel comfortable with agent you choose to represent you, you need to make sure they will sell your house as quickly, efficiently, honestly and effectively as possible and that they are trust worthy to be left to show viewers around your home.
Once you choose your agent go through their entire marketing strategy for your home and make sure you are comfortable with their approach and that they are going to do everything required of them to assist you. Furthermore, ask them to revalue your home based on work you have done to it and any market movements that have occurred in interim.
9. Remember - first impressions count!
Now time has come for buyers to begin viewing your home. You have to go over every single aspect of your home with a very critical eye and consider what potential purchaser will make of every aspect. Their first impression of your home will be as they look at it from sidewalk, ensure outside of your home is as clean, tidy and well presented as possible and then walk through every room and garden and look at it with fresh eyes. What will a buyer’s eye be drawn to, beautiful proportions of room or dirty window and vase of dead flowers?
Because first impressions count so very much take time to consider every aspect of your home and then make time to clean, polish and present your home in very best light possible.
10. Be as flexible as possible.
If you can be quick to react to a viewing request and flexible when it comes to a contract completion date you will be doing everything within your power to enable your buyer. By remaining on top of upkeep of your home you should be able to say ‘yes’ to a viewing request at drop of a hat. And if you remain on top of your home search and are at least mentally prepared to move out swiftly – even if this means moving into rental accommodation for a short period – you will be doing absolutely everything within your power for home selling success.
Rhiannon Williamson is the publisher of http://www.shelteroffshore.com/ - for offshore and international real estate investors.