Get real when it comes to selling your home – says estate agent Harrison Murray

Sept. 6, 2010 - PRLog -- NEW research indicates that over the last year, the majority of houses put up for sale in England, Wales and Scotland failed to sell.

More than 1.1 million homes remained unsold by August - compared with 725,000 sales that went through.

And the main reason for properties failing to sell is high asking prices (18 per cent) according to the recent study.

Locally, independent estate agents and valuers Harrison Murray work closely with sellers to ensure they don’t fall into the over-pricing trap.

Commercial director Nick Salmon said: “The teams in all our branches are highly pro-active at keeping sellers informed on a regular basis on what’s happening in market and making every attempt possible to sell their home within a month.

“However, it is a two-way process. Before instructing an agent, sellers should think realistically about their pricing. Look around the areas in which they want to buy so they will know what they will need to spend.

“If possible, do some homework of their own on local values and above all listen to the agent’s advice, particularly when it comes to initial pricing and what they would be willing to accept.”

Putting your home on parade is also crucial, and to be prepared for viewings at short notice.

Nick added: “If sellers serious about getting a result, they need to do their homework in choosing an agent; prepare the home to show at its best and accept that they - and the property - are ‘on parade’ for the duration of the marketing period.

“Get the house de-cluttered, tidied, and cleaned and spruce up the garden, especially at the front because that’s where the buyer will form their first impressions. Always be prepared to immediately say ‘yes’ to viewing every time unless it truly isn’t possible.


“Above all, strike while the iron is hot. Too many times I see sellers getting an offer on a Friday evening and saying ‘We’ll think about it over the weekend’. By Monday that elusive buyer may well have found something they like better.

“As we anticipate a rise in activity over the next few weeks, buyers continue to have a great selection of homes to choose from – so the message to sellers is ‘ensure that the one they view is yours’.”




The research also revealed:

-   There were also 755,000 people who tried to buy but could not, with 53 per cent unable to find buyers for their own home.
-   One in 10 buyers were unable to raise a sufficient deposit and one in four hundred could not get a mortgage deal.  






Note to editors

Source of research : Santander

Harrison Murray are leading independent residential estate agents with 18 offices throughout Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and Leicestershire.  Visit the website at www.harrisonmurray.co.uk

For more press information contact Cetti Long at Media Matters on (01733) 371363 or email: cetti@mediamatters-pr.co.uk or Harrison Murray commercial director Nick Salmon on 07831 805455.

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