GET AHEAD OF THE GAME: USE THE LAST WEEKS OF SUMMER TO PREPARE FOR AUTUMN SELLING

September often brings a flood of property to the market, but you can get ahead of the game by preparing to sell in August.

Being ready to go when September starts means your photos can be taken earlier, boosting your home with some extra summer pep from the sunnier weather.

After the school year starts, estate agents' diaries fill up with valuations and photoshoots, which can mean a longer wait to go live. So instead of launching in a crowd, give yourself a jump-start by:

• Inviting estate agents in for advice on price and presentation.

• Preparing your home for sale.

• Getting ready for the photographer.

• Gathering information to speed up the legal process.

• Laying the groundwork to find a new home to buy.

We’ve got expert tips on all of that right here in our handy guide, so without further ado or delay, let’s dive right in!

INVITE ESTATE AGENTS INTO YOUR HOME

Don’t wait till September to start getting valuations from agents. Get them round in August when the weather is (hopefully) still good and gives your home a bit of summer sparkle.

• The advantage of picking an agent now is that you’ll get a couple of weeks to prepare your home before it hits the market and fine-tune your marketing campaign.

• Note local sold boards and research online to narrow down which agents you want to invite in - look for sharp photography, engaging descriptions and sales of homes like yours.

• Allow an hour for each agent’s visit, then make a list of pros and cons including how each one leaves you feeling, listens to your story, backs up their pricing and offers presentation advice.

PREPARE YOUR PROPERTY FOR SALE

As soon as you’ve decided to put your home on the market, it’s time to spring into action around how you present it to buyers. So, and in no particular order:

• Declutter every area a buyer will see, including the inside of kitchen cupboards and built-in wardrobes - you’ll be glad you did this when you start boxing up to move.

• Create an unforgettable viewing experience to help buyers fall in love with your home, like moving furniture around to make rooms feel bigger, or adding a few styling touches.

• Make minor repairs like old water stains, squeaky hinges, leaky taps, wobbly door handles and scuffed paintwork to make your home look cherished and cared for.

After Operation Buyer Seduction is complete, the final step is a deep professional clean (unless you secretly adore housework) so everything feels fresh and inviting.

GET READY FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHER

Homes look their best in summer, so use that to your advantage. Get your photos taken now to capture sunlight streaming through your windows and your garden in bloom.

• Tell your agent when the sun shines on the front and back of your home so they can arrange a good time for the shoot, perhaps across a couple of visits.

• Get the photographer to take a mix of wide, medium and close-up shots to show off the little details as well as the sizes of the rooms.

• Try to keep your home looking like it does in the photos for as long as it’s for sale to give buyers a valuable sense of familiarity as they wander around.

SPEED UP THE LEGAL PROCESS

While your agent is getting your photos and description ready for launch, you can get to work on speeding up the legal process by having your paperwork ready to go for when you accept an offer.

• Dig out your deeds (also known as the land registry title document) which, depending on when you bought your home, could be in your possession, or with your solicitor or mortgage lender.

• Gather together any appliance warranties, new-build guarantees, planning permissions for improvements, and certificates for completed building works.

• Instruct a solicitor and ask them to send you the property information forms you need to complete when selling that cover things like boundaries, utilities and maintenance.

This isn’t the world’s most interesting task, but if you use the momentum at the start of getting your home on the market, you’ll shave weeks off your timeline and clear the path for a smoother move.

THINK ABOUT WHERE YOU’RE GOING

The most exciting part of moving home is your new beginning, so it’s worth taking some time to be clear about everything you’re hoping for, where you can find it, and how you can make it happen.

• Make a list of what your ideal next home looks like and what you need vs what you want, like whether a garden actually needs to face south, or you're happy if some of it gets the sun.

• Get to know the neighbourhood(s) you’re looking to buy in to identify the streets and locations that match your wish list, from parking and parks, to shops and schools, to transport and trees.

• Set alerts on Rightmove & Zoopla, but also contact and charm local estate agents to be at the front of their minds when suitable homes come up for sale.

Just one thing to remember here: wait until you find a buyer before offering on another home - you’ll save yourself a mountain of unnecessary pressure and stress.

What’s next for you?

If you're thinking of selling your home this autumn and want to get a head start, we'd love to help!

Call us on 0118 912 2370 or email us at office@pauk.property for a chat about your plans with one of our team, and let's set you up for success!