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Monday, 28 July 2014

Selling a property in Exeter – An estate agents point of view

For me, one of the most exciting parts of being an estate and letting agent is putting a property on the market that you know will get very high volumes of interest and sell or let within a few days.

I recently put a house on the market for sale in Broadfields.  I listed it on a Friday afternoon and knew it would generate a great deal of interest over the weekend as similar properties do not come up too often.  It is a three bedroom semi-detached modern house with garage, parking and good sized garden and is near excellent schools and amenities.  Broadfields gives excellent access to the M5 so is popular for both people working in the city and those travelling further afield.

Monday morning came, I checked through the weekends’ enquires and lo and behold there were lots for this new property.  I called through the list, booking viewings for the following day.  It was impossible to pick and choose which applicants to call first; some enquires come through with lots of detail, such as their buying and selling position, availability of funds best viewing times.  Others simply asked for more details, but in the end, any one of them could be our buyer.  I managed to book one viewing for the following day and a few more for later in the week.

Tuesday came, viewing day.  I set off to the property with a copy of the draft sales particulars in my folder as we were awaiting approval of the full particulars from the seller; I had previously suggested to the sellers that although their young child was delightful and very well behaved, I thought viewers may prefer to have a viewing without toy cars and footballs being strategically thrown at their feet to trip them over so they could look more closely at how well decorated the property was.  The sellers had presented the property very well, the grass was cut, the beds had been made and the lounge had been tidied.  As the viewing was in the morning there was still a delicious smell of fresh coffee in the kitchen, always a welcoming aroma. 

The viewers arrived and after introductions I started to show them around the property.  It is usually very obvious from early on whether or not a viewer likes a property; there are those who hide their emotions well but in the main the buying signals are obvious.  Being first time buyers this particular couple had not yet learnt the art of concealment, after lots of “oh wow’s” at the presentation of the master bedroom and “it’s amazing” references to the open plan lounge/diner, I had a pretty good idea they were keen.  I always enjoy showing and selling property to first time buyers, they usually give off a strange sense of both excitement and sheer terror at the thought they may become homeowners!

I let them have another look around the property and discuss it between themselves without me looking over their shoulder, then said thank you very much and they set off on their way home.

Shortly after getting back to the office I took a call from the couple, asking to arrange another viewing with their parents.  We did the second viewing on the same day and they went away to have a think overnight.

Wednesday came, I opened my email and there it was, our first offer for the property.  I called the vendors and discussed the position of the applicants and their offer.  Estate agents work for the seller so my priority and philosophy is get to the best price from the best buyer in the best time, and from all the buying signals in this case I knew we would be able to achieve a higher price for the seller.  Following many calls back and forth, we finally agreed a price.  After informing our very nice first time buyers we had agreed a price, solicitors were instructed and I sent out all the relevant paperwork. 

Then the fun began with the sales progression!

If you are looking to buy, sell or let a property in the Exeter area please come in and see us at our South Street office or call on 01392 254488.


Below is a similar property which I am sure will not hang around for long!


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