At first selling a house can be quite exciting
- getting the house ready, having valuations, haggling to get
the cheapest commission rate. Even the first few viewings can
be exciting. The stress may start to kick in after you've had
a few viewings and no one offers a penny, but they do offer suggestions
on what's wrong with your property! This may not be encouraging
and the first thoughts may be "who is going to buy THIS house?".
Do not even go there, you bought your house so someone will like
it. It only takes one buyer - give each viewing your best shot
and if it's a little untidy then remember that viewers often get
a feel of the house as soon as they walk in. It doesn't need to
look perfect but try to make it welcoming. Assume someone will
like it eventually - afterall you can't force someone like it
so being stressed about it won't help.
You might feel excited even when the phone rings
- is this a viewing? Could this be the one? Can you accommodate
the viewing and have time to sort the house enough or get your
teenager out of bed, pack off young children, take the dog out.
This is all a nuisance and time-consuming. Let's face it - more
demands on ever precious time is stressful.
So AVOID it! If you can't make the viewing time,
then say so. Make sure you look after yourself enough to be able
to do what you need AND make the house presentable.
Another stress is likely to be from having seen
your dream home and not being a position to make an offer on it.
Some say, don't even look at other houses until you have an offer
on yours, but this is unrealistic. You may need to look at other
houses to know what is on offer and the more houses you view the
more informed you are of what properties are on the market and
for what price. Also your criteria of what you need is likely
to change as you look at more properties. So LOOK and be informed.
And if you find your dream house, well, cross your fingers.
Sometimes when a seller puts their house on
the market, they start to see the flaws in the house and the reasons
for wanting to move become more apparent - a negative feeling
about your own home is not pleasant. Remember why you bought it
and what you liked about it. Getting it ready to sell might work
the other way - you might end up wanting to stay.
If your property ends up stuck on the market
for months you then need to decide whether to drop the price -
depressing and stressful especially if dropping the price is going
to effect your options for your next property. However, on the
up side, you're more likely to sell and get moving.
Let's go to the point where someone puts in
an offer. Now it's serious. How much do you haggle? How much are
you willing to come down? This can be stressful. But again avoid
the stress. A good deal is where both parties are happy. Way up
the pros and cons of what you want to accept and take time to
make a decision. Take advice from your agent.
Now being under offer you've passed the first
hurdle - congratulations and that's the first stressful episode
over. Now the solicitors and surveyors are involved. Will anything
come up in the survey - most surveys sound very negative and frightening
yet in discussion with the surveyor it usually seems okay. Will
your buyer pull out? Will someone in the chain pull out? Why does
it all take so long? Yet more queries?
Ultimately the sheer uncertainty can be very
stressful. The way to avoid the stress is to dissociate yourself
as the majority of the work is now out of your hands. Keep in
regular contact with your solicitor and know what is going on.
Answer any queries promptly.
You get to exchange and you decide to go for
it. Contracts are exchanged and you have a completion date. A
major sigh of relief. You can now open your first bottle of champers.
Then comes the work of organising removals,
packing and arranging redirections and change of address. To avoid
stress take it slowly, write lists and take time over it. Start
as soon as you have exchanged so that you keep your tasks under
control and there's no last minute rush. Know where you want your
furniture to go and make a plan or drawing so that you can easily
direct the removal men.
On moving day, have help. Even if you have professional
removals you may find it supportive to have a good friend with
you. In your car, take a box with your favorite beverage, perhaps
the kettle, tea bags, cups, milk and a packet of your favorite
biscuits so that when the removal men go you can sit down and
relax. You're in. Unpack as time permits and get to know your
new house.
To view your next property visit http://www.wheresmyproperty.com.
The opinions expressed are those of the author
and the material is for general information only and does not
constitute investment, tax, legal or other form of advice. You
should not rely on this information to make (or refrain from making)
any decisions. Always obtain independent, professional advice
for your own particular situation.
Susy Copus is a property commentator writing
about all aspects of home moving, properties for sale, estate
agent directories and house prices for the UK Property Search
Engine, Wheres
My Property.
