With spring in full swing, many homeowners are experiencing first hand the busiest season in the property market. Whether you are a first-time seller or looking for your forever home, the key to a successful move is being prepared for the "real world" hurdles that can pop up.
To help you move with confidence, I share my top tips on getting sale-ready and keeping your move on track:
Give your home a good spring clean
When a buyer walks through your front door, they aren't just looking at the walls, they’re trying to picture their entire life in that space. That’s why a proper spring clean is one of the best investments you can make. It’s about more than just a quick tidy; you need to be thorough, tackling those easily missed spots like dusty skirting boards or cobwebs in the corners. It’s also about the "feel" of the house, so make sure you’re ventilating the space to get rid of any lingering cooking or pet smells.
Prioritise first impressions and avoid survey shocks
In the current market, buyers are increasingly looking for homes they can move into immediately without worrying about renovations. A well-maintained home doesn't just attract more interest; it makes the entire mortgage process much smoother for the buyer. Simple updates like fresh neutral paint and a tidy garden are great, but the real secret is being proactive about the "unseen" stuff. Ensure all your building regulations and boiler service records are organised and ready. Shocks uncovered during a buyer’s survey are one of the most common reasons for a sale to stall or a mortgage offer to be delayed, so fixing minor issues now protects your price later.
Get your mortgage sorted early
Even though the big policy announcements happened back in the Autumn, the mortgage market is constantly reacting to the latest economic forecasts. Don't wait until you’ve fallen in love with a new house to speak to a lender or broker. If your situation is a bit more unique—perhaps you’re self-employed or looking at an unusual property—high-street banks ‘one size fits all’ attitude can sometimes not work for your home ambitions. Seeking out specialist advice early means you can get a "Decision in Principle" (DiP) in your pocket, which makes you a much more attractive prospect to sellers who want a buyer that is ready to go.
Breaking the stress of the property chain
The property chain, where your move depends on a whole line of other people, is often the part of moving that people dread the most. Together’s research shows that 60% of Brits have suffered sleepless nights due to being stuck in a chain, and over 40% have found themselves tied up for six months or more. It’s so stressful that nearly 60% of buyers say they would walk away from a property altogether just to avoid the hassle. If you find yourself in a position where your chain is stalling, there are ways to keep things moving. A bridging loan, for example, can act as a temporary "bridge" by giving you the funds to secure your new home while you wait for your current sale to finish. It’s a great tool to have in your back pocket to ensure you don't lose your dream home because of someone else’s delay.
Keep the paperwork moving
The administrative side of moving is rarely the fun part, but it is often where the most time is lost. To keep the momentum going, you really need to be one step ahead of the paperwork. Make sure you have lined up a solicitor the moment you put your house on the market, rather than waiting for an offer. This gives them a head start on the legal work and ensures your title deeds and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) are ready to go the second a buyer is found. In a fast-paced spring market, even a couple of days spent hunting for a document can cause a domino effect down the chain, so aiming to respond to any queries within 24 hours can make a massive difference in reaching that completion date.
