Selling your house can be difficult. Not just because it's one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make, but also because of the myriad of official steps, regulations, parties and fees involved. Not to mention the fact that you're probably quite attached to it.

Not surprisingly, achieving the best possible price on your sale relies as much on your ability to navigate the process, as it does on the potential of your property.

We know this. So we do everything in our power to make things easier. We make the process simple.

To this end, we've prepared the following list of selling tips. Please contact your local Savills executive for more detailed guidance.

Price

Choosing your sale price can be surprisingly difficult: too low and you lose money; too high and you exclude potential buyers. It's particularly hard if you've owned the property for a while, and haven't monitored local sale results. But even if you've kept your finger on the property pulse, it's possible to over-estimate value because of an emotional attachment, or underestimate because you know all of its problems.

As the list price is so critical to the end result, it's important that you get it right. That's why we conduct thorough research on similar properties in your area – those that have sold, those yet to sell, and those in competition – so you can decide the right list price for your home. And, of course, your Savills Sales Executive has a wealth of experience so they can make sense of the data for you, and advise you on how it applies to your unique property. Of course, the ultimate sale price is decided by the market, so it's imperative that your marketing campaign is tailored to your specific market, and that it provides continuous feedback on what that price is likely to be.

Timing

It's a fact. You'll get the most interest in your property during the first 21 days. So it's important that you take advantage of this window of opportunity. At Savills, we know how to do just that. We've been doing it around the world for 150 years. It's one of the reasons we're a world-leading real estate agency.

Your personal Sales Executive and our in-house team of marketing professionals will design and implement a marketing campaign that capitalises on the opportunities that arise during the critical 21-day new-to-market period.

First Impression

The adage, “dress to impress”, applies equally to your property as to people. First impressions last, so it's important you make them count. Properties that make an instant and positive impact on prospective buyers stand a far greater chance of attaining – or bettering – their list price.

Savills Sales Executives know what buyers are looking for. They do this day in and day out, and they've been doing it for years. So you can feel confident they'll help you show off your home to its full potential.

Here are some handy tips for dressing your home for success.

• Take care of any little maintenance jobs, such as sticking doors or windows and dripping taps.
• Do a general spring clean.
• Ensure the kitchen is spotless and the working areas are uncluttered.
• Tidy all wardrobes to create a sense of space.
• Bathrooms and toilets should be gleaming. A dish of scented soaps adds a nice touch.
• Make sure the inside temperature is at an optimum level – turn on fans, heating or air conditioning to achieve this.
• The delicious aroma of brewing coffee or freshly baked bread will make your home smell warm and inviting.
• Place freshly cut flowers throughout your home to create a sense of positivity and well-being.
• Place interesting knick-knacks, books or artwork in feature areas to encourage visitors to linger. (But do not clutter.)
• Mirrors in smaller rooms can convey a feeling of spaciousness.
• Turn on outside lighting for evening inspections, to create extra ambience.

Method of Sale

Your ultimate goal – and ours – is to achieve the best possible price for your property, within a sensible timeframe. The method of sale you choose plays a major role in attaining this goal.

There are a number of different ways you can sell your property, each with its own merits. The method you eventually choose depends on a variety of factors, including your home, its location and the current state of the market.

Your Savills Sales Executive has the market knowledge and the real estate sales experience to help you make an informed decision. Below is a rundown of the more popular methods of sale. Please contact your local Savills executive for more detailed guidance.

• Auction - Selling at auction can be one of the most exciting, effective and rewarding methods of selling your home. Benefits include:
  • Flexibility - You can sell before auction day, on the day of auction or, in the event that it is passed in, directly after auction.
  • No price advertised – Without an advertised price, your property comes to the attention of more buyers. Also, prospective buyers are more likely to become emotionally attached to the property before they know the price.
  • High profile marketing - Attracts more buyers.
  • No delays - Buyers have to meet the deadline – Auction Day. So you don't experience unnecessary delays. Also, before they can bid, they're required to have finance approved and building and pest inspections carried out
  • Certainty – Buyers don't get a cooling off period at auction. A sale at auction is an immediate, unconditional sale.
  • Sense of urgency - Auctions have an innate sense of urgency for buyers.
  • Peace of mind - You set the reserve price (the minimum price you'll accept on auction day).
  • Competitive bidding environment - Creates the opportunity for a premium price. (What's more, Savills auctioneers and sales executives are skilled negotiators, who are intent on securing a premium price for your property. We take the extra step of conducting a meeting with all prospective bidders prior to the auction, so that nobody is left out through lack of confidence or understanding.)
  • Set settlement date - You can stipulate the settlement date.
  • Maximum possible price – The market decides how much your property is worth, so you don't risk putting too low a price on it.
• Private Treaty – If you sell by private treaty, you'd normally advertise your property with a predetermined asking price, which is agreed between yourself and your agent, based on market comparisons and research. This asking price, or price guide, may or may not be disclosed to the market and a specific sale date is not set. Your home remains on the market until a buyer accepts your list price or submits an offer. Your Savills Sales Executive would then negotiate on your behalf, aiming to achieve your list price or higher (higher prices are quite often achieved when there are a number of interested buyers). You have a range of marketing options available to you to expose your property to the market, always remembering that interest in your property is highest during the critical 21 day, new-to-market period.
• Tender – If you sell by tender, you don't disclose your asking price. Instead, prospective buyers put forward their most competitive bid. You can then accept or reject the offer. If it's close, but not quite there, you can negotiate with the bidder. Benefits include:
  • Confidential bidding - All bids are made in complete confidence. Bidders are asked to submit their best and highest offer, however, it must be noted that unlike auctions, these offers can be subject to conditions.
  • More interest - Tender sales often generates increased enquiries and inspections due to the exclusive nature and the absence of a list price.
  • Buyer emotional attachment - Prospective buyers are more likely to become emotionally attached to the property before they know the price.
  • Exclusivity – Tender sales generate an air of exclusivity, which, in turn, can help escalate the price.
• Exclusive v Open Listing – You can choose to list your property with just one real estate agent, or with multiple agents. By opting for an exclusive listing, both you and your prospective buyers avoid the frustration and confusion so often experienced when dealing with multiple real estate companies. Also, many buyers assume that there is something wrong with properties that are being handled by more than one agent (that it takes more selling).