Scott say’s “Catch...

4 August 2014

One of the greatest frustrations associated with moving house in the current market is that you might feel somewhat exposed if you sell your own property before having found somewhere into which to move.

 

It is reported that, nationally, estate agents take an average of fewer than just one new property onto their books per branch each week. Although we enjoy a much greater supply of properties than this, it is easy to see why sellers become nervous at the general lack of supply. Many who receive a good offer for their home turn it down because they have not yet found “the right property” and worry that they will in effect become homeless should they sell first (although we have never known this to happen!)

 

Of course the problem would become a self-fulfilling prophesy if everyone were to take this stance, and the entire market would grind to a halt. But in really it isn’t that bad, and whist we don’t have a magic wand the closest thing we have to a miracle cure is to encourage sellers to have a little faith. Because as soon as you find a buyer, amazing things can happen!

 

First, the fact that you have a buyer in place positions you as a “red hot buyer” with estate agents. This means you will be offered new properties as soon as they come onto the market, often ahead of public marketing or portal exposure. Secondly, you are in a much stronger negotiating position when you do find a property you like, meaning that you are preferred to other buyers who may be in a weaker position. Thirdly, you may well find that once you are psychologically committed to your sale, you’ll have a clearer focus on which house would actually suit you best. It’s easy to “umm and ah” when there’s no pressure!

 

So if you need help making a decision, find a buyer for yours first! And of course, we’d be happy to help on that front as well!