Selling house

When do you think is the best time to put my house on the market? I'm thinking mid May as the garden will have started to come to life (how important is the garden?).

 

My gut feeling is that you're probably right.

When I viewed our house, the estate agent wouldn't show me the back garden except through the kitchen window, claiming he didn't have the back door key. What he really meant was if you have a good look, you wont want to buy it. Our house was on the market for months before we bought it dirt cheap. The garden being dire didn't put me off because I saw it as a chance to make it what I wanted, but it would put many off, who like a nice garden but see the construction and maintenance of one as a chore.

 

Certainly not before any Christmas as people just hate the thought of having to move into another home while busy preparing for the onslaught of Christmas

I was told once by an estate agent that Spring is one of the best times to put the house on the market as the weather is starting to improve,the birds are busy singing and nest building,the spring flowers are usually in flower by then and families would much prefere to look round houses when it isn't tipping it down with rain or ankle deep in snow and not to mention the dank foggy days of the winter

So if you are not in too much of a rush to get it on the market then April/May is soon enough and as you say the garden will have more life in it,plus the trees will be in leaf and the sun will be shining in the rooms and gardens{apart from North facing ones that is}

If you have a smallish garden it is a good idea to try and get some veggies growing in any spare ground in the garden,as many people especially families will want to try and grow some fresh produce now that the prices are going up in the shops.Pots of flowers like pansies,etc near the front door will add kerb appeal,but then you probbly already know all this

A well kept garden,and a clutter free home will sell much quicker than a garden that looks like a jungle,and rooms in the home that are so full of stuff they can't be shown off properly to would be buyers.

Good luck and hope you get a quick sale and please let us know how it goes

 

Many thanks for the thoughts and tips. My parents feel I should market just before Easter, but I think that would be at least a month too early.

 

Kazzie once you sign with the estate agent to market your property it will take a couple of weeks before it appears on the internet etc. I would put it on so its ready for the Easter holidays on the 5th of April . Make sure you know the actual selling price of properties in your area from sites like this.......
http://www.zoopla.co.uk/house-prices/

 

Got mine on at the moment, so far all i've had are phishing emails from asia

http://www.gumtree.com/p/flats-hous...er-central-heating-solar-hot-water/1004366064

 

Thank you for the link Harry. How long have you had your property on the market Zigs?

 

Less than a month, wasn't expecting any interest over Christmas. Going to speak to an online estate agent tomorrow, they are doing a special offer in Jan, full package for £399.

The'll get it on all the major websites for that.

 

Don't think most people care about the garden. As long as its kept in a good state of order and there's a lawn for the kids to play on, that's all people really want.

My regret is buying my house just because of the garden.

 

All the best Zigs... it's a horrible pressure trying to keep the place clean and tidy just in case the agents calls to say viewers are on the way.

The garden is like a magnet in the summer Jane, but nothing special before spring. I need the property to appeal to someone who wants the land.

 

I've moved eight times and believe the best time to market is mid to late March. Spring is in the air and that's when people get 'itchy feet'. Don't worry about the garden, as long as it's tidy it won't be an issue if there's nothing in bloom. You must also consider that in the current financial difficulties property isn't selling quickly.

 

Sheal... the slow market is a worry... it could take years (sigh).

 

It's a buyers market at the moment. If your property is in a good area and in good repair then it will sell before others, obviously. Don't over price it and get a few agents to value it then take an average price from that. Also, be prepared for offers on it, but don't accept any 'silly' offers unless you're desperate to sell. If interest is being shown then it's worth holding out for the best offer. If it isn't drop the price if you can afford to.

Yes, the market is slow and putting it on the market earlier in the year gives you spring and summer when it's looking it's best to make that sale.

 

May sounds about right. Having your garden showing nice could be an added bonus to the visual look of the entire package. But if you think your house could stand alone without needing the plant colors then start a little earlier. Good luck to you.