The combination of the rising cost of living and mortgage rates have led to a slow-down of the UK’s housing market and 2 consecutive months of falling prices. So, if you want to sell before prices slip any further, what do you need to do to achieve a successful sale at the best possible price?

To put this all into some sort of perspective, there are still expected to be around one million sales this year, but there is no doubt, we have now moved into a ‘price sensitive market’. That means your pricing strategy is more important than ever. Buyers have more choice than they have had in recent times and the ones that are out there are looking for ‘value for money’ and, ideally, ‘a bargain’. You have to ensure they feel like they are getting one. That doesn’t mean you have to sell your home for less than it is worth, but it does mean that you need to offer better value than other, similar local properties for sale.

So, do your research. Have a look at comparable properties on the portals and be realistic. It’s far too easy to be seduced by an overvaluation, but you will risk your property going stale if it lingers on the market for too long. You will then have to chase the market with a series of price reductions and savvy buyers will know you are struggling to get a sale and use it to their advantage. It is far better to go a bit lower with your initial asking price, which will generate far more interest at the vital early stages and, if you are lucky, generate some competition. And you must be prepared to accept an offer – the latest data from Propertymark, shows 72% of properties are currently selling below their asking price.

It’s not just about money, though. In a more buoyant market, buyers are prepared to overlook the odd defect. Not now, especially if yours is a common property type in the area. That means you should resolve any outstanding issues with leases, boundaries, planning, deeds etc before you put your place on the market. You should also bear in mind that the current high cost of building materials has put many people off homes that need work.

That means making sure it is in as good a condition as possible by sorting out any cracks or damp. You should also repair windows, refresh tired paintwork and give any outside spaces a good clean up because if there is a similar house for sale just up the road that looks in even slightly better condition, it will sell before yours. There are some things you simply can’t ‘fix’, such as your proximity to a main road, in which case you’ll just have to reflect those kinds of issues in the asking price.

Soaring energy costs mean property buyers are also now wanting energy-saving features when choosing a new home. According to the latest research from Mortgage Advice Bureau, 20% of buyers would not even consider buying a home with an energy efficiency rating (EPC) below C and 46% would prefer good insulation to a bigger garden. The average rating in the UK is D but there are quite a few improvements you can make without spending a fortune, especially if you are adding some insulation or installing some secondary or double glazing. Green tech like solar panels would cost considerably more but have an even bigger impact. If you want to know what needs doing – your EPC certificate will provide a list of recommendations on how you can best improve your property’s energy performance and you can then get it re-inspected.

And, it‘s best to make the sales process as easy as possible for any potential buyers, so get all your paperwork ready beforehand and make sure any onward move you are making is firmed up and ready to go. Before you do anything, though, the best thing you can do is give us a call. The property market is made up of thousands of micro-markets and we can tell you exactly what is happening to sales and prices in your area and help guide you through the process.