To move or not to move

The house market is in a state of flux - prices are rising, interest rates are flying up & generally we feel a bit wary of the whole concept. So, we thought we'd interview local estate agents with a twist - Vivienne & Victoria of Mov'In Property - to get a bit of inside insight into the market & see if we could learn a few things!

Busy Girls"What prompted you to start Mov'In Property?"

Vivienne"We set out to be the best local estate agency not the biggest - it is our passion for property that makes us want to provide the best possible service with the attention to detail.

"We decided to build an agency that spends more time with vendors to get to know them & to try to reflect that in the photographs & property particulars.

"We felt there was a significant gap in estate agents attention to the vendor & their home means & felt if we could harness this gap, we would sell homes relatively quickly.

"This has been the case to date, so we're kept really busy with the conveyancing process as well as getting new homes onto our books".

Busy Girls "What is the best thing about having your own business?"

Vivienne "The flexibility, work life balance & the fact that what we put in we also get out"
Victoria "Working for ourselves gives us more drive to succeed & go the extra mile with our vendors and purchasers".

Busy Girls "What sort of advice would you give someone who is struggling to sell their home?"

Victoria"People are so attached to their homes, so they need to stand back & be objective - try giving the house constructive criticism as though you were seeing it for the first time. Look at the elements that you think a buyer would like & enhance those qualities, also review what you think is a negative & assess whether you can do anything about it.

"If it means redecorating a kitchen then it is probably not worth doing but this needs to be reflected in the price of a home.

"Three things catch the eye of buyers (75% now search the internet first):

1.The property details

Do they reflect the house accurately? Is it tired but said to be well presented? This will leave buyers deflated, it is best to manage expectations so that they come away thinking the house is better than the photographs & details.

2. Photographs

Do they show all aspects of the house & create a lifestyle? Is the car on the drive for instance blocking the view of the house? Do they highlight features that you have & others homes do not e.g. original stainglass windows, 5* luxury ensuite, immaculate garden form different angles. Have photographs that make you stand out.

3. Price

Be realistic & don't over inflate - everyone feels that there home is worth more. Also don't just go with the agent naming the highest price sometimes they over -inflate to get your instruction, go for the one that makes you feel they can sell your home, that you can get on with.

"This is important if you need to discuss negative issues as it is easier to work with someone you know is working in your best interests. You can discuss the price of the house & if you feel that a higher price is justified then agents will advertise at that price but advise you not to raise your expectations or be surprised if it does not sell"

Busy Girls "We hear it's a buyers market at the moment - would you say that it's a good time to move?"

Vivienne "We get asked this a lot - we've definitely noticed an increase in the number of people ready to proceed with no chains.

"There seems to be more on the market at the moment, but this may be because the HIPS is now delayed to 1st August.

"In certain types of property there is certainly competition & buyers have more choice. If you need to sell then ensure that your price is not over inflated. All homes will sell if the price is right, it may just take more time".

Busy Girls "Briefly, (as we're busy girls!) how can we maximize our home's selling potential?"

Victoria "Mov'In Property provide guides to vendors on how to show property in best possible light. The most important thing which is free & easy is declutter. There is nothing worse that selling a home where you can’t get through the door.

"Secondly, consider 'Kerb appeal' - does your home look good from the pavement? If not, no one will go through the front door. Buyers create an impression from the minute they drive towards the home, so think: is the garden neat and tidy? If so then purchasers will think that you also care for your home in the same manner.

Busy Girls "Finally, what one piece of advice would you find it hard to live without?"

Victoria"Honesty is always the best form of advice"

Vivienne "Always keep going in face of adversity, those who try, succeed"

If you would like to chat with Mov'In Property, simply click here to see our recommendation of their services Mov'In Property