Selling Your Home While Your On Holiday - Ask The Experts
June 2024
Selling Your Home While you are on Holiday - Key Advice and Information
Going on Holiday and having your house on the market is not as stressful as it sounds.
In fact, selling your house in the summertime can be a great opportunity to have a couple of weeks where you can leave the viewing process completely with the professionals with a minimum of disruption to you. This is a question we often get asked especially as the school hoildays approache. Everyone needs a holiday and selling your house should not stop you going on that well-earned break with the family.
Summer Holidays can be a brilliant and convenient time to start marketing your property - the main advantage being the one time of the year the seller does not have to worry about tidying up or arranging viewings at particular times of day. Selling in the summer can bring a buyer at any moment without interrupting your daily life or schedule. The main advantage of selling in the summer months is the longer days, brighter light where homes and gardens look their absolute best. However, if you are on vacation for some of the weeks or months over the summer, we have listed a number of tips to reassure you that your property can sell its self without you being there.
To help our clients Kerr and Co have given guidance on how to navigate the sales process while you relax on your holiday.
DECLUTTER AND CLEAN
If you do have reliable cleaner or person you can trust to come in and clean while you are away then that is money well spent to ensure your house is looking tip top .
- Leave kitchens and bathrooms sparkling with only luxury products on display - hide anything else like washing up liquid, toothpaste, and dishcloths.
- Plump up couches and cushions, clear coffee tables and vacuum floors.
- Make the beds; tidy dressing tables and nightstands; get any laundry into baskets.
- Stow children's toys in a cupboard or crates to keep the floor space clear.
- Keep your garden furniture set up, but store non-waterproof cushions and seat covers.
Setting the stage for viewings not only helps you impress a buyer; it also means ending your holiday on a high note and feeling happy to be home.
KEEPING EVERYTHING FRESH AND CRISP
As your property will be locked for a period of time - keeping the air fresh within the property is important .
Your agent before a view will open doors to ventilate the property, and circulate the air.
- Fresh flowers are lovely when you’re at home, but not when your away. Use air fresheners plugged into the wall or reed diffusers as good options to keep the rooms sweet smelling and fresh.
- Lock your windows in ventilation position to ensure natural airflow every day
- Make sure all fruit bowls are clear of fruit to prevent mould and clear the fridge, vegetable rack.
- Empty all bins in all rooms especially the kitchen. Ensure all the recycling is put out and replaced with clean liners so no smell lingers.
HOME SECURITY AND ALARMS
Security cameras and camera door phones are normal. For sellers this gives them additional security and reassurance that viewings are happening and that their homes are secure whilst they are away. If you have a more complicated alarm, leave details of the alarm with a trusted friend or neighbour and let your agent know.
LOCKS AND KEYS - KEEPING THEM SECURE
Your estate agent will hold your keys, under a secure system in their office if your agent is not operating out of an office ask how your keys will be secured.
Experienced Agents are well used to dealing with alarms and following locking up procedures so carrying out viewings while clients are away will be done professionally .
Check list to ensure before you go...
- a complete set of tested keys for your front door;
- a demo session on setting and deactivating your alarm - any unique code if your system allows it ;
- access instructions for the garden and any garage, shed or cabin to ensure that prospective buyer has the best of the viewing .
Your Agent will have a secure coded system without your address, and stored in a lockable cabinet away from public view. For reassurance ask your agent how these will be kept securely especially if they are an online agent or agent who do not have a visible office presence.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS - Keeping that Wow factor while you are away.
Even when you're on holiday, your home can maintain a sense of arrival, see our top tips on staging your home.
- Arrange for someone to water any pots, hanging baskets or window boxes and your garden especially if there has been unusual hot weather, to keep them in bloom while you're gone
- Keep curtains, blinds and internal doors open for an optimal flow of natural light.
- Ask your agent to pick up any post from the doormat on each visit and hide it in an agreed place to prevent it from piling up between viewings.
- If you have any pets staying home while you're away, share any feeding or cleaning times with your agent to ensure that these are accommodated for when viewings are being arranged.
COMMUNICATION
Text and email is the best way to communicate and to give any important updates, as we don’t normally bother clients unless there is an emergency. We would suggest the following advice so that we have all the information we need so that there are no complications
- Details of recent utility bills in case viewers ask about running costs
- A check list or up-to-date details of fixtures and fittings you're including
- Preferred timescales for your move
- Tell us the best way to contact you, can send you offers by text or WhatsApp if you are not answering emails or if there is an out of office reply.
- Let us know which time zone you'll be in so we can manage expectations around responding.
Your holiday could be the perfect stress free time to find a buyer, giving you time to research and search for your next new home on your return.
To take advantage of the market while you're gone, or if you would like a conversation about marketing your property over the next few months please call us on 020 8 743 1166 or email us at [email protected]
Are you selling a property in Shepherds Bush, Hammersmith Acton or Chiswick Borders you don't have to delay your move just because you are taking a break or if you want to prepare for the Autumn Market this is an excellent time to start thinking about your next move.