Top Tips for Selling Your House in a Recession

Times are tough in a recession, but that doesn't mean they aren't the right time to sell your house. Even though reports of doom and gloom are popular in the media, there are still houses selling, and for a good price too.

If you are selling your house, or even just thinking of putting it up for sale, then don't be put off by all the negativity around, as there are still buyers out there, they might just take a bit longer to surface than they used to.

Below are some top tips for selling your house and getting the best possible price in a recession:

• 1. Choose your agent carefully. Don't just go with the agent who has the cheapest commission on offer. Look at houses they sell, and more importantly houses they have sold. Do they know your area, have other houses for sale in the area, and have they sold anything in your area.
• 2. Be realistic, potential homebuyers can check how much you paid for your house, so be realistic about your asking price. Don't expect to make a massive profit on your property, but at the same time don't expect/accept a lower offer than what you paid for the house.
• 3. Stage your house so that it looks as good as it possibly can. Show a bedroom as a bedroom, even if you only use it as a store room.
• 4. Freshen up the whole property both internally and externally. Give the house a lick of paint, and freshen every room up, give it a good old clean before any photos are taken, and before any house viewers turn up.
• 5. Make sure your house is listed on all the big property websites out there. More often than not homebuyers view these portals as their first port of call, so make sure your property is on there and looking good.
• 6. Consider holding opening/viewing days. These days can generate a high interest in your property, especially if they are held over a weekend.
• 7. Consider the time of year when you list your property for sale. Colder months and the back end of the year always seem to be the worst time to list your property, so why not spend these months sprucing up your house, ready to list in the New Year.
• 8. Give your house some curb appeal. Make sure your house looks presentable externally. Remove anything that is looking tired and dated.