There comes a time in every luxury homeowner’s life when an upgrade is on the cards – and that dream house you’ve long had your eye on finally comes up for sale. Purchasing a new property can be all kinds of exciting, but selling your current one can be a taxing process. If only you could sell up quickly, you could move on with your new life, but often things don’t happen quite as quickly as we’d like them to in the world of real estate.
There is a knack to getting a speedy sale, and it doesn’t come without some effort on your part. But, armed with the right tips and tactics, you can make it as smooth a process as possible. So, what exactly do you have to do to have buyers queuing up to make you an offer? These five steps should have you well on the road to success.
1. Choose an experienced estate agent
Selling a high-end property is a little different to selling an averagely-priced home, and everything from your pricing to your marketing strategy must be spot on if you want to get a speedy result. Luxury real estate buyers are a more limited audience than those buying moderately priced homes, and have higher expectations, too – so working with an estate agent who is experienced in selling high-end homes is essential. They’ll be able to advise you on price and work out an effective sales strategy, lightening the load and alleviating you of some of the stress.
If you need a fast sale because you’re moving abroad or unexpectedly have to uproot yourself quickly, there are services that can help. John Daniels, at House Buy Fast, said: “Sometimes even owners of super high end property are forced into a very quick sale and we buy any house in cash and can get you through to completion in as little as seven days.”
2. Hire a professional stager
Making your house look like a show home to impress potential buyers is a wise move, and can make or break an opportunity to sell. Staging can help viewers to really picture themselves living in a property – but it’s a big job that can often prove costly.
A professional stager will be able to lighten the load, and will advise you on the best ways to highlight some of your home’s most attractive and unique features. While you might love your taste in décor, it doesn’t always mean others will feel the same about it – no matter how tasteful it happens to be. But, with a few careful tweaks to create a more minimalistic look, you’ll make it easier for potential buyers to see the potential in your home.
3. Set the right price
It’s important to get the price right when selling your luxury home. Price it too high, and it might not meet the expectations to match – but too low, and you could well find yourself losing money on your property, or even saying goodbye to a tidy profit.
You’ll always want to leave some wiggle room for offers, so setting the asking price a little higher than you’d be willing to accept id wise. But don’t be tempted to go too high, as this may put buyers off.
Your estate agent will have the expertise in pricing, so consult with them and be prepared to take guidance. Even if you don’t entirely agree with their recommendations, it’s worth remembering that they are experienced in selling this type of home – and getting sellers the very best price they can.
4. Use quality photos
When it comes to getting a set of photos that show your home of in the best light, angles are everything – and so too, incidentally, is lighting. According to Springbok Properties, getting the angle wrong can make a room appear far smaller than it is, while getting it right can have the opposite effect – creating the illusion of additional space and making your home look all the more desirable to prospective buyers.
Ensuring the rooms are well lit and flooded with as much natural light as possible will further enhance this, whilst also showcasing some of your home’s finest features. Dark photos that don’t do it justice will make getting viewings booked in tricky, and in turn, your chances of a swift sale will instantly diminish. Get a professional in to take photos for your listing – it could make all the difference. For the best quality photos, ask for interior photo editing to improve lighting, correct the horizon line, remove dust and fix other imperfections.
5. Market smart
When it comes to reaching your affluent, high-net customer, the usual channels won’t always cut it. Forget having a sign stuck up in the garden, because it just won’t get seen. Luxury properties are rarely located on through-roads, meaning footfall in the area will be limited. Be prepared to invest in some quality printed materials so that your estate agent can show them to clients during private appointments, and take their advice on the best approach.
Selling a luxury property requires time and effort on your part – and attention to detail is everything when it comes to standing out from the crowd. But you don’t have to do it all yourself, and nor can you – so let the professionals lighten the load.
Image credit at the very top of the article: IR Stone/Bigstock.com
