Buyers today have more choice than ever. The properties that are selling are those that offer the best value and have all of the correct documentation. On average, a buyer will view between 10 - 15 properties before they make a decision.
What will make a buyer choose yours?
What's worse than not being able to find a buyer?
Finding a buyer only to watch them walk away because your paperwork is not correct
Buyers today are very aware that there are many properties in Spain without the correct documentation and need to be assured that what they are buying is fully legal.
The solicitor acting on their behalf will ask to see the following documents:
If you are unable to provide these documents at the point that the Reservation Contract is signed then the completion of the sale will most certainly be delayed.
It is possible to complete a sale at the Notary in 2 weeks providing the sellers' documentation is in order.
Getting a property lawyer to check your documentation prior to marketing your property is highly recommended. In doing this, you will have peace of mind in the knowledge that when you do agree the sale, you can complete in the shortest possible time scale.
In order to help you market your property in the best possible way, you need to remind yourself of how a buyer thinks.
As they browse a property website, this is the thought process they go through before they decide to make an enquiry:
It is usually at this point that they decide to make an enquiry and ask for more information.
Mindful of how a buyer gets to the stage of making an enquiry, what next?
The first thing to do is get a pen and a notepad. What you are going to do is make a list of all the positive and not so positive aspects of your entire property, inside and out.
There are 3 key reasons to do this:
For most property owners, taking time to review their home 'in the eyes of a potential buyer' makes good sense.
However, many home owners don't do it. For those that do, it can and usually does, pay dividends when it comes to showing their home to a prospective buyer.
The first thing to do is go outside...right outside the entrance of your property and look at what you see.
Write down what is appealing and what is not.
At this stage, it should be said, that any negatives aspects identified may not be able to be corrected due to time, cost etc. However, you will be aware of them.
The next stage is to do the same thing between the entrance to your property and the main entrance to the house.
Then, systematically work your way through each room as you would take a potential buyer around.
Finally, complete the outside of the property.
As you walk around, write down all the things that first attracted you. Then, as you look at each aspect or room, consider what else you could say to a potential buyer that would make them feel at home.
The size of your list does not matter, as long as you make sure that you have included everything.
Buyers are looking for 2 things in relation to 'location'.
Firstly they want to know how close the nearest international airport is and secondly, where are the nearest shops, restaurants, medical facilities, schools etc.
Compile a list of everything you can think of that could be of benefit to a potential buyer.
Some examples might include:
Always describe the distance in terms of time, that is, how long it takes to drive or walk.
The simple answer is, what a buyer is prepared to pay.
Property prices in Spain have been falling since 2007 and the fact remains that no-one really knows if the market has bottomed out as yet.
We will give you an appraisal of what other properties in the area are selling for .
The next thing to do is decide on how quickly you want to sell.
If you need to sell fast, then you will have to set a very attractive price.
If you are not in an immediate rush, it is still best to set a price that is lower than any similar properties.
If you are not getting any viewings within the first 2 months of advertising, you should consider reducing the price.
De-clutter
OK, this is the aspect of selling that most home owners hate, however, it has to be done.
The first thing to do is decide what has to go and you have to be brutal with yourself here.
A good way to think about it is to think back to when you viewed a showhome on a new development. Most people like show houses but don't realise why.
The reason is simple. It's new, has neutral colours, furniture that makes rooms look bigger and no personal effects of any kind.
So, what you need to do is go through your property room by room and try to create a 'showhome' look and feel.
3 simple rules; sell it, bin it or tidy it away.
Decoration and repairs
You probably don't want to spend any money on the property because you are selling.
Mending things that a buyer will notice is important. If your paintwork is looking tired, it need not cost much to freshen it up.
Tip...if you do decide to paint, go for white or neutral colours
This starts the day before the actual viewing itself.
You've de-cluttered, mended and painted but now is the time to do a final check.
Start in the kitchen and clear as much as possible off the worktops including cloths and washing up stuff from around the sink.
Next, do the same in the bathroom(s).
Bedrooms - no clothes lying around and kids toys put away.
Lounge - remove all papers, magazines etc. from under the coffee table.
Many people don't like this next aspect but it works...put all your personal photos in a drawer or cupboard.
Buyers want to imagine a property as their home; too may personal effects on show makes it harder for them to do this.
Make sure the house is clean, not forgetting the windows.
Last but by no means least, check the garden and pool area.
Make arrangements (if possible) for a neighbour to look after the kids and pets during the viewing.
It avoids any unnecessary distractions and means that you can concentrate on telling the buyer about all the great features in your property.