How to get the best price for your home

Faced with a sluggish market in which it is taking increasingly longer for properties to sell, home vendors need all the help they can get. Research from property website, Rightmove, shows that the average home now takes 85 days to find a buyer, compared to just 71 a year ago. With the competition for buyers tougher than ever, vendors need to make sure their property stands out.

“It’s really important to create a good impression, from the first moment a potential buyer sets eyes on your property,” says Eileen Wilcox, professional interior designer and consultant to leading North West property developer, McDermott Homes.

“Buyers make an emotional connection within seconds so it’s essential that your home has ‘kerb appeal’. Make sure the garden or driveway is clutter free and the exterior of your property is clean and in good repair.”

Eileen says that vendors need to look at their homes through the eyes of a buyer, as all too often they get caught up in their own tastes.

“You need to remember that you’re selling the building, not the contents,” she continues. “A property brimming with personal belongings may feel cosy and homely to you, but it can be off-putting for buyers. Try and think along the lines of a showhome, with minimal clutter and a fresh, clean feel.

“Make sure the place is spotless, with sparkling mirrors, shiny appliances and fresh towels. Show off your rooms with as much natural light as you can, to make them seem brighter and more cheery, so give your windows a good clean, both inside and out.

“Finally, take a step back and take a frank look over the property – are you showing off the good features to their best? Sometimes it’s helpful to get a friend or relative to come in at this point and give you their honest opinion, as a fresh pair of eyes can make all the difference.”

For anyone still struggling to shift their property, McDermott Homes is offering 105% part exchange on selected plots, for a limited time only. This innovative deal allows buyers to receive up to 5% more than the market value of their home.

McDermott Homes currently has six developments in the North West in Bacup, Keighley, Earby, Bolton, Blackburn and Rossendale.

The developer is also currently offering a number of other excellent deals for buyers, including a ‘Sale Or Return’ offer on selected properties, where people can rent before they decide to purchase, as well as substantial discounts and free carpets on selected plots. More information is available by logging on to Mcdermotthomes.co.uk.