Find out how to get your home ready in preparation for the survey
The idea of having people you’ve never met before entering and judging your home may feel a little intrusive, but if you want to sell your home, it is a necessary part of the process. Using a reputable estate agent can help you feel more secure; however, you may also feel less exposed if you clear out some of your clutter before you market your home.
In order for your home to be disrupted as little as possible when you are selling, you might want to begin to pack your belongings early so that most of your prized possessions are out of the way before viewers and Chartered Surveyors come a-calling.
When your home attracts a buyer, their mortgage lender will send a surveyor round to confirm its value. It is likely that your buyer will also want to get their own RICS HomeBuyer Report (occasionally referred to as a Homebuyers Survey) or Buildings Survey carried out by a local Chartered Surveyor, to flag up any potential structural issues with the property.
This is different to a valuation report, as the surveyor will check areas that a simple valuation survey does not cover.
If you clear items away from areas with common problems, the Chartered Surveyor will be less likely to need to disrupt your possessions, so it may be a good idea to move furniture away from exterior walls, take plants off windowsills and other areas they might want to study a bit closer.
Chartered Surveyors are trained to spot areas with potential defects, so if you know that there is an area that could be of concern, it is best to leave the area clear so that they can have access to it.
If you are concerned about the results the home buyer’s survey might return, you may wish to repair any minor defects before you market your home. Fix dripping taps by replacing washers, scrub off mould on your bathroom tiles, and fill any hairline decorative cracking.
Switch to energy saving light bulbs before you obtain your EPC if you haven’t already – this could help your energy efficiency rating. Alongside this, it may be a good idea to get quotes for your own survey so that you are aware of any potential issues and can set a realistic asking price based on your Chartered Surveyor’s findings.
Tidy up before the appointment with the Chartered Surveyor, just as you would for any viewing. The surveyor will be looking for evidence of steady ongoing maintenance and upkeep. A tidy, well presented home is likely to be valued higher than a cluttered, messy home even if they have the same features.
Finally, if you have made any improvements to your home, don’t overestimate the value it has added to the property – as we all know, property values aren’t guaranteed and your home is only worth, in the end, what a buyer is willing to pay for it.
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