Lots of people wrongly assume that selling a house is easy and doesn’t take any preparation – after all that’s what you’re paying the estate agents for, isn’t it? Wrong! The reality is, selling a home can be stressful and inconvenient but if you are thinking of selling up, there are some essential secrets you need to know.

1. Pricing your home right from the beginning is imperative. Price your home too low and you’ll miss out on money yet price your house too high and you’ll miss out on offers which in turn will leave your property on the market. Once your property has been on the market for some time, people will begin to wonder whether there is something wrong with it.
    
2. It’s important to enhance your kerb appeal. First impressions matter and you only get one chance. Remember you’ve got to bring people in so consider what the outside of your property looks likes to people driving up for the first time. Your property should at least look better than your neighbour’s. Revamp your front door, add a security light, plant some flowers and declutter any exterior porches. In addition this, people love a healthy lawn!
    
3. Exaggerations will only disappoint in the future. Take what you have and describe it to its best ability but don’t lay. If you have a tiny spare room, don’t describe it as an extra bedroom but instead be honest and explain that it would be better renovated into a walk in wardrobe or storage room.
    
4. Shop around for the best estate agent. It’s one of the biggest decisions of your life so make sure you choose the best person to do it. A lot of estate agency business is done through referral and word of mouth so ask around to find a recommended choice. Don’t stop until you find someone who you trust and have faith in.
    
5. Depersonalise and declutter. Whilst a house should feel homely, you need to allow the potential buyer to imagine his or her own family in the property. In addition to this, remove all items that largely relate to your political and religious beliefs and get rid of any trace of pets. You may love your cat but some buyers won’t want to see an animal lying all over the sofa.
    
6. The kitchen and bathroom always come first. Typically, these are the rooms that buyers want to see the most so they shouldn’t look as if they need a huge renovation. If you do decide to update these before selling then remember that neutral colours always work best and always renovate up to the worth of your home. There is no point installing a bathroom for £30,000 if your house is only worth £200,000.
    
7. There isn’t a best time to sell your home. Rumours have it that spring is the best time but houses do sell in winter, autumn and summer too. Only you can decide on when the right time is to sell and no matter what the housing market forecast says, people are always going to want houses.

Selling and buying houses is a very personal journey but with a little research and the right agent, hopefully you’ll be on your way to making that property dream, a reality.