HOME SELLERS MAKE THE ONE MISTAKE THAT MOST HOME BUYERS CAN'T COPE WITH!

While most homebuyers only have time to see what's "in front of their nose" - most home sellers fail to ensure their house is clean and clutter free!

The most common mistake made by home sellers is not cleaning and clutter-clearing their house or flat when potential buyers come to view their property.

And the most common failing among homebuyers is an inability to see the potential of properties they visit, with a frequent lack of imagination "blinding them" to see beyond the mess or clutter.
This is the majority view of Home Sale Network, the country's largest grouping of almost 740 hand picked independent estate agents.

Asked to identify the most common mistake made by home buyers, a third of Home Sale Network members (33.72%) stated a failure to see the potential of properties they visit, with buyers not being able to see beyond the vendors' taste in décor, furniture, lifestyle, and garden layout.

A far bigger proportion of Home Sale Network members (74.12%) said that the most common mistake among home sellers is a failure to ensure that their house or flat is clean and clutter free when potential purchasers arrive.

"Putting these two findings together says that mess and clutter is probably one of the UK's biggest killer of house sales”.
"This new survey is important to vendors and buyers alike. It shows that the single factor that can boost home sales does not necessarily have anything to do with investing a lot of money in redecoration or garden makeovers - it is just about presenting a clean and clutter free home."

The survey also revealed other common mistakes made by buyers and sellers;

• The second most common mistake made by buyers, according to almost a third (30.23%) of Home Sale Network members is that they arrange to visit too many properties, turning each visit into a "rush" and giving themselves the problem of remembering and comparing the properties they have seen.

• Buyers' third biggest problem according to 17.5% of Network members, is a failure to produce a well considered list of their requirements - spanning location, proximity to facilities, accommodation needs, garden-size, and the amount of maintenance or decorative work they envisage doing.

February 2003

MEN MAY THINK THEY'RE THE MASTER OF THE HOUSE

- BUT IT'S THE WOMEN WHO CHOOSE THE HOME!

Women have the last word in choosing which house to buy, according to the latest survey conducted by Home Sale network estate agents.

While an Englishman's home may be his castle - it is a woman who has chosen it for him!

This is according to the Home Sale Network agents, Britain's largest network of independent estate agents, 94% of whom have confirmed that, in most house hunting couples or families, it is the woman who has the last word in choosing the home they buy.Home Sale Network asked its 740 members about the relative roles of men and women in the house hunting process. A massive 94% confirmed that, in their experience, it is the woman who has the last word in choosing the home to buy.

And two of the biggest factors that women look for are a modern kitchen, and a his and hers en suite bathroom!
91% of Home Sale Network members say that a modern kitchen is the single feature most likely to clinch a sale for a woman.
Even more (95%) say it is the woman, rather than the man, who is more inclined to want a his and hers en suite bathroom.
For men, almost half of Home Sale Network estate agents (43%) say that a recreation room large enough for a big screen TV to watch sport is the most important single sale clinching feature.
A quarter (25%) of Home Sale Network members find that a shed or workshop is the biggest attraction for men.
A back garden, protected from neighbours' watchful eyes by high hedges or fencing, also featured as a strong attraction for both men (9%) and women (4.5%).

"This survey confirms, that what men and women want in a new home is different, and what is important to one may not be important to another - particularly when it comes to houses!

"But as the survey points out, the final decision is usually made by the woman, so sellers with a restricted budget should take notice of what will clinch the sale for a woman, and concentrate on improving those features first”.

January 2004

IF YOU’RE SELLING A HOUSE – HIDE THE PETS!

Advice for pet owning home sellers from O’Hearne & Partners.

A dog may not be your best friend if you’re trying to sell your house.

Most independent estate agents (87.5%) have agreed that home owners are best advised to hide their pets when potential buyers come to view the property.

This is the verdict of the Home Sale Network (www.home-sale.co.uk) - the UK’s largest network of 740 hand picked independent estate agents.

Research among our national network has revealed that the only pets which might help to sell a home are tropical fish!

That was the view of 11% of Home Sale Network members, with just over 4% recommending a cat.  But the overwhelming majority urge that all pets are kept out of sight when prospective buyers arrive.

Whilst we are often regarded as a nation of animal lovers, some buyers are put off by pets.  This is why we advise sellers to send their pets to the ‘babysitter’ when the house is open to viewers.

While those are the suggested rules for home sellers, an entirely different set of rules apply to home buyers, according to Home Sale Network members.

Home buyers who own a pet – usually a dog – are just as likely to take their pet on house hunting visits as they are to take their children.

More than 71% of Home Sale Network estate agents see dog owning potential buyers taking their pet with them on property viewings.

And the value of property close to parks or fields, where dogs can be exercised, can be boosted by up to £5,000, according to almost 20% of Home Sale Network members around the country.

December 2003

SELLING YOUR HOUSE THIS CHRISTMAS? THEN DON'T DECK THE HALLS WITH BOUGHS OF HOLLY!

We reveal what house sellers should expect from buyers this Christmas, and how they should present their home to maximise its appeal during the cold winter months

Open fires and warm lighting inside and out will help sell a home during the dreary winter months, while a cold, dark house will send buyers running.

Christmas is the season to be jolly, but it is also commonly seen as the low season for house sales.

So to help house sellers, Home Sale Network questioned its 740 members to find out what makes a house more appealing - but also, what turns buyers off - during the festive season and throughout the dreary winter months.

The survey revealed that, undoubtedly, creating a cosy atmosphere inside and outside your home is the key to attracting potential buyers during the winter months.

43% of estate agents reported that by keeping indoor lights lit, sellers will create an inviting scene, making their home more appealing to buyers who are driving past or viewing the house from the outside.

Having a roaring open fire in the hearth - preferably with logs - was singled out by 27% of estate agents as a popular way of boosting the appeal of a house during the winter, while installing outside lighting to brighten the garden and doorways followed at a close third (20%).

Surprisingly, only 2% of estate agents reported that a tasteful display of Christmas decorations would boost the appeal of a house, while a further 3% said that over-the-top Christmas decorations would actually deter potential buyers.

And, the greatest deterrent to buyers during the winter months? Overwhelmingly, 80% of respondents agreed that a cold, dark house is the biggest thing that will put people off.

The survey also indicated that other put-off's, such as nasty winter weather smells - wet dogs and muddy boots (16%) for example, and the clutter of winter coats and boots (1%) are also a no-no for house hunters.

When selling, the key is to make your home appear comfortable and inviting to potential buyers, so they feel at home when they enter your house. And this practice applies no matter what time of year it is.

So in the winter, this means making sure your house is the right temperature, not too hot, or too cold. Similarly, Christmas decorations aren't everyone's taste, so keep it simple - it's the same concept as keeping your décor neutral and providing a blank canvass for buyers to visualise it in their own way.

And according to the survey, don't be surprised if a house hunter turns up at your door on Christmas day. Five per cent of estate agents reported that in the quest to find the perfect house, some relentless house hunters actually view houses on Christmas Day, even if they can only view them from the outside!

Neighbours can be crucial to a house sale - and add thousands to the price

Good neighbours can speed a house sale, whilst bad neighbours can knock thousands off the price.

Good neighbours can help a house to sell, and boost its value, whilst bad neighbours can knock up to £12,000 from an average house price!

This is the verdict of Britain's largest network of independent estate agents, the Home Sale Network, which has more than 730 selected members throughout Britain. In a new survey, members were asked about the importance of neighbours to house sales - and house prices.

Almost three-quarters (73%) said that good neighbours can help a house to sell, with 10% observing that the good-neighbour-factor can boost prices by up to 10%.

Only 17% reported that house-hunters don't ask about neighbours.

The impact of bad neighbours on house sales is even greater, according to the Home Sale Network survey.

More than half (58%) of the independent estate agents said that bad neighbours can reduce house prices by up to 10%, with a staggering 92% confirming that bad neighbours make it more difficult to secure a sale.

While we are all entertained by TV programmes about 'neighbours from hell', and the neighbourly factors in our favourite soaps, there is a very real neighbour issue when it comes to selling and pricing a house.

Three-quarters of our members (75%) say that house-hunters view 'good neighbours' as people who are quiet, tidy, and keep themselves to themselves.

Only 7% of Home Sale Network agents say that house-hunters are looking for 'life and soul of the party' neighbours who are outgoing, welcome newcomers, and want to be friends.

An even smaller number (6%) of Home Sale Network estate agents find that house buyers want neighbours who will keep a watchful eye on the neighbourhood.

This is a crucial message to both house buyers and sellers", said Mr O'Hearne. "With average house prices across the country now exceeding £120,000, our members' report means that neighbour factors can boost or reduce prices by as much as £12,000", he added.