New Year, New Start

The New Year is all about making a new start. If you’re planning on selling your property, this is an excellent time to begin the process. Potential buyers are energised and highly motivated. They’ve probably made a New Year’s resolution to buy a new home! To tap into that energy, get your property on the market at the start of the year.

While there’s a tradition of waiting until spring to advertise your home, New Year is an excellent time to sell. The days may be shorter but Saturday is by far the most popular day for viewings. And, with so many people working a couple of days a week from home, most buyers have plenty of flexibility during the working week.

Putting your home on the market is a complicated journey and it can take a few weeks to get the property market-ready. Don’t worry! Your local Sherry FitzGerald property agent will demystify the process and guide you every step of the way.

The process begins when you make contact with your local Sherry FitzGerald office. Did we mention we have over 100 offices across the country? And we’re really approachable. You can request a valuation on our website, phone your local office, or even walk in off the street. Many people still prefer to meet us in person! Once you get in touch, we’ll arrange an initial appointment for one of our experienced estate agents to review your property comprehensively.

There are five key steps to putting your home on the market.

1. The first step is a market appraisal. This allows us to get to know you and understand what’s important to you. During the visit, we’ll discuss the method of sale, provide an overview of the sales process, and give you an indication of the current market value of your home. We’ll also discuss the best method of selling your property as it’s essential to choose the one that suits your needs best. Most properties are sold by private treaty, where we list your property on the open market and work actively to generate interest and secure offers. Another option is an off-market sale, a private approach where we contact pre-qualified buyers without publicly listing your property, offering a more discreet sales process. Properties can also be sold at auction, though this method is relatively rare in the current market.
2. The second step is to appoint a solicitor. A property solicitor with knowledge and experience will play a crucial role in the process of putting your home on the market and will look after your legal interests throughout. They will handle key tasks such as getting your title deeds from the bank, drawing up the relevant contracts in a timely manner, and making sure they come back signed. Your estate agent will ask for your solicitor’s contact details and together they will form your team.
3. The third step is to agree a plan of action. This plan is decided by you and your estate agent and it’s an important part of the sales process. At this point we’ll ensure that that all your documentation is in order. You’ll be required to sign a ‘terms of engagement’ contract containing standard terms from the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PRSA). Basically, this is about proving your identity and address. You may also need certificates of compliance for any works you’ve done on the house or land registry maps, if the boundaries are unclear. These are legal documents. If they’re required, your solicitor will assist. We’ll also agree on your overall marketing strategy before your house goes on the market.
4. The fourth step is to prepare your property, first for photography and then for showing to potential buyers. This may take place through conventional viewings or an open viewing. It’s crucial that your home is clean, clear, fully functional, and in good repair. This may just involve a lick of paint, but some properties need a complete overhaul. This may just involve a lick of paint, but some properties need a complete overhaul. In certain cases, we may also recommend a little staging to enhance the appeal of your property and highlight its best features. Your estate agent will help you ensure your home is presented in the most appealing way for potential buyers.
5. The final step is advertising your property. This is one of our areas of expertise. Once the property has been refreshed and revitalised, it’s ready to be professionally photographed. We’ll coordinate with the photographer to ensure the most impactful shots are taken, sometimes including aerial photography if it highlights the property’s best features. From there, we’ll work with you to create a targeted marketing campaign designed to reach the widest possible audience of potential buyers. A high quality brochure, backed up by a comprehensive online and offline campaign, will help you connect with your buyer. All being well, your Sherry FitzGerald agent will soon be in touch with the offer you’re looking for.

Ready to start your property journey? Visit us at sherryfitz.ie or contact your local Sherry FitzGerald office today to get started!