As you may have noticed the property market in Jersey seems frantic at the moment.
With prices increasing monthly and most properties appearing to sell before they are officially put on the market, it's no surprise that potential movers - especially those with a property to sell - feel they're being left out.
This leads to the 'chicken and egg' quandary; do you find the perfect house and then put yours on the market, or secure a buyer for your existing home and then start your property search?
Both have their merits, but at le Gallais we have become experts at de-stressing and smoothing out the process by highlighting or removing any potential pitfalls.
Find a buyer before you start your own property search
In the current market we favour securing the right buyer for your home first and then starting your search for the following reasons:
- You know exactly what your budget is.
- You can assure the seller of the house you want to buy that you have a buyer for yours.
- You can negotiate on timescales and price more decisively.
- You can move a lot quicker than if you didn’t already have your property on the market, or even recently valued.
- Your offer will be considered more seriously by the vendors.
Having a buyer puts you ahead of similar buyers with a house to sell, but what are the things you can do in advance to ensure the sale process for your house goes as smoothly as possible?
Other than the obvious points such as presenting a clean, tidy and un-cluttered home, there are a few things best checked before the purchaser’s surveyor or lawyer visit.
Increase your property's curb appeal
Never underestimate the external appearance of your property to catch the eye of potential purchasers (or their surveyors). First impressions really do count.
- Tidy the garden and cut the lawn; for a few hundred pounds you can get a local contractor to blitz it, leaving you to add the final touches.
- E-cycle those old and rusty swings, slides, garden furniture and trampolines to enhance the space.
- Power wash slabs and walls to remove the grime and green algae. Treat yourself to a new power washer for £75-150.
Get your services in order
Most properties in Jersey are connected to mains services these days, but if not, make sure you know where everything is: where the runs are and the exact location of any service covers.
- If you are on a well or bore hole, get the water quality checked and service any treatment plant you have.
- If you are on private drainage (septic tank/soak-away or tight tank), get the tanks emptied and the runs jetted. Even better is a drain report you can provide to a potential purchaser to re-assure them, as some buyers can be wary of private drainage.
Document any building and planning issues
Check well in advance that you have all paperwork to hand in one file, such as planning approvals, warranties and guaranties.
- If you know or suspect you may have asbestos in the building, organise your own survey in advance. It will cost you some money, but probably a lot less than a purchaser’s reduction in their offer to cover a worst-case scenario.
- If you have had any wood treatments for rot or pest infestation, have the warranties for the work to hand. If the warranties are approaching expiry, it may be worth having them done again.
- If you have had any building works carried out - extensions, conservatories, loft conversions etc - make sure you have the planning approval and, most importantly, the sign-off documentation.
Disclose any anomalies with the title or boundaries
So many property sales encounter issues the week prior to completion because of anomalies in the title or boundaries. This is a complex and specialist area, but, in short, make sure you know the answers to the following and disclose them to a potential buyer on the first or second viewing to avoid nasty surprises later.
- Do you know where all of the boundary stones are? And if they've been lost, re-instate them.
- Are there any rights of way through or over your property? Be precise if there are.
- Does any person or neighbour have a covenant or easement over your property, or vehicular/pedestrian access through it?
Helping you take the first steps towards a successful sale
At Le Gallais these are the types of questions we will ask when we first visit you at the property. They not only affect the value, but more importantly can decide between 'Sale or Fail'.
We would be delighted to visit you at your property any time to offer practical and informed advice. We can make sure your property is 'Market Ready' before the first potential buyer walks through the door, and ensure you are first in line when you find your next dream home.