Putting your property details onto the internet
1. Valuations
Setting the right price is crucial to attract interest in your property. Price it fairly (and ideally competitively) and you can expect reasonable interest in your house. But over price it: in this competitive market it is conceivable that you may not get a single enquiry.
And contrary to popular belief, estate agents are not valuers. They are able to give you a estimate based upon their own experience of the market in your area. Often though an unscrupulous agent might just quote you want he thinks you want to hear to get your business: so it pays to do your homework.
To get the right price it is a good idea to explore several channels.
a. Look around you: what are other houses selling for? Look in estate agency windows - what’s a like for like comparison?
b. Check websites such as Hot Property and Fish 4 Homes - search in your area and your price range.
c. Use Net House Prices or other similar sites to see what properties actually sold for. Careful looking at historical data - this can serve to confuse in a volatile property market.
d. You could enlist the help of a surveyor and The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors would be a good place to start.
2. How much information can I add?
You should keep your copy as succinct and punchy as possible. You do not need to enter a vast amount of information to get enquiries. In fact, less is more - you will find that interested parties will email their questions to you and the lines of communication will open. On the other hand, make sure that all the relevant information is in place.
3. Should I add photos?
You will massively increase your chances of selling your property if your prospective purchaser has at least some idea of what the property is like.
4 Portals
What is a portal?
By the term ‘Portal’ we are referring to the various general property websites and directories on the internet. These sites often feature estate agent properties as well as private properties for sale. Between them, the portals handle several million visitors - a huge amount of exposure for the property seller.
In addition these portals supply their search feeds to hundreds of other sites. So by getting your property listed on them you are effectively marketing your property to millions of prospective purchasers.
5. HIPs.
In 2007 the Government introduced their controversial Home Information Packs (HIPs), and in 2008 you need will to need to apply for one if you are planning on starting to sell your property.
HIPs only apply to England and Wales. If you are selling in Scotland you do not need a HIP. If you are selling in Northern Ireland you do not need a HIP.
If you put your house on the market after 14th December 2007, or you are thinking of doing so now, then you will have to apply for a HIP - if you were marketing your property before this date then you may be exempt. Check our this page for more information.
