Selling your home in the UK can feel like a long process, from paperwork to surveys, last-minute repairs, and the ongoing worry that a buyer may drop out. Whether you’re preparing to list your home or are already on the market, the same problems seem to affect many sellers and have done so for years now. To help you get the sale you want, here are seven of the most common challenges homeowners face and the practical fixes for them.
1. Low Valuation
Estate agents and mortgage lenders can have different numbers for your property’s value. That’s actually quite normal. When the lender’s valuation comes back lower than expected, buyers may struggle to secure their mortgage.
To fix the issue, consider getting several valuations before listing, and choose an estate agent who has recently sold similar homes in your local area. If the lender’s valuation still comes back low, you may be able to negotiate a price adjustment or provide recent comparable sales as evidence that the valuation should be increased.
2. Poor Kerb Appeal
Kerb appeal refers to the attractiveness of the home from the street, and it’s an important quality in a home sale. After all, great kerb appeal can make for a terrific first impression. On the other hand, a tired or damaged exterior can turn buyers off, making the selling process longer and potentially costing you money if the sale isn’t as high as you had hoped.
To fix the issue, tidy the garden, repaint the front door, and repair a broken fence. You may even pressure wash the driveway or hire a professional to do so. While these updates are seemingly small, they can have a surprisingly big impact on how potential buyers see your home.
3. Spray-Foam Insulation
A common and unexpected challenge arises when homes have spray-foam insulation in the walls or loft. That can cause survey and lending problems. For example, many surveyors find it difficult to assess the structural timber once it’s coated in foam, making it difficult to confirm there’s no moisture or rot. Due to this issue, some lenders treat spray foam as a risk and may not approve mortgage applications.
To fix the issue, arrange an independent inspection before listing your home for sale. In cases where the foam prevents proper assessment or causes structural worries, complete spray foam removal is an effective solution. Choose a professional who offers safe, certified removal, allowing surveyors to properly inspect the roof structure and helping improve the chances of being lender-approved.
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4. Low EPC Rating
An EPC rating is a score that shows how energy-efficient a UK-based property is. EPS is short for Energy Performance Certificate. When selling a home, it must have an EPC. Buyers favour homes with an A-C EPC rating, while a poor rating (D-G) can reduce the number of people who want to view your house, causing your property to sit on the market longer.
To fix the issue, look at ways to improve your EPC while staying within budget. For example, install LED bulbs throughout the home, service the boiler to make sure it’s running efficiently, and seal gaps in the doors and windows, so cold air can’t get in, and warm air won’t escape. You may get a higher sale price for your efforts, so it’s well worth it.
5. Hidden Problems that Surveys Expose
There may be issues that you’re not aware of that only get discovered during a survey. That could range from damp areas to old wiring or a cracked roof tile. Thankfully, you can get ahead of the problem beforehand by doing a pre-survey check around your house. While you may still miss things, as a survey is generally more thorough, it could alert you to things you can fix before a survey is done.
To fix the issue, do your own inspection before the home is even on the market. Leaks under the sinks, cracks around windows, and slow-draining baths are common examples of problems you may find. These minor repairs are ones you can do to prevent the issues from getting worse over time. For larger issues, if you find any, get written quotes from contractors so buyers know how much it would be to fix. Buyers are more comfortable when they know it is £200, not £2000. Be straightforward with the buyer to reduce the chances of renegotiation later.
6. Chain Delays
UK home sales often involve chains, often 3-6 properties long. The chain can be even longer. Each sale requires the next one to complete, so a problem along the chain can delay a sale or it to fall apart. An example is if one buyer loses their mortgage offer, causing them to drop out of the chain, delaying the remaining sales in the said chain.
To fix the issue, stay flexible with timing when you can, such as if a party needs more time. Also, consider choosing buyers who are not in a chain, such as first-time homebuyers or those who pay cash.
7. Overpriced Listings
While you may think about listing your property on the higher end, that can lose you buyers who want a lower price range. As a result, your home can sit on the market for several weeks. A long time on the market can make some buyers worry there is something wrong with the property, and that’s why it hasn’t sold quickly.
To fix the issue, review recent sold prices online, such as using the UK House Price Index. If you don’t get many viewers over the first few weeks, ask your agent for help with adjusting the price to get more interest in the listing.
Conclusion
Selling a home in the UK is easier when you know the problems that many other homeowners have, as well as ways to fix them. The guide above helps you do exactly that. Doing so can help you attract serious buyers, sell your home quicker, and ultimately get a better sale price for your home.
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