Published: 09/12/2024 By LONEY MILLER
New year, new you, new home.Selling your house is a big decision, and can be daunting with no helping hand or handy checklist. That’s where we come in!
Whether it’s your first time selling a property or you’ve been through the process before, there are a few things we recommend getting on top of before putting your house on the market in 2025. As we all know, houses sell quickest in January, so you’re already off to a great start.
With London’s average house price currently up by 1.5% and Wandsworth’s racing further ahead at 2.4% compared to last year, according to the latest figures from Rightmove, there’s no better time to be getting ready to sell your home.
Firstly, choose the right estate agent
Now, we’re biased of course, but it’s important you select an agent who’s right for you and your home.
There are a few things to consider when selecting your team, including:
- Knowledge of the local area. Both in terms of house prices and the local market, but also one with fantastic connections in the community. Our team is based in the heart of Southfields and we strive to be in the know about the happenings of South West London. We’re involved in lots of community projects and initiatives and are always out and about in SW18, check out our social media channels to find out more!
- Have they sold homes similar to yours recently? Looking at the properties an agent has previously sold and the results they achieved is a great way to gauge how they will handle your sale and the kind of marketing, price and service you can expect. Take a peek at our current and recently sold properties here to see.
- Talk to the agent! Whether it’s a phone call, an email or a face to face meeting, we’re always here to chat! It’s really important that you work with someone who understands you, and what’s important to you becomes important to the person selling your home.
- Pricing strategy - is there a clear vision and plan behind the agreed-upon price of each property? Research shows the key to a fast and smooth sale is pricing correctly from the start. We use local market data and our collective decades of experience to ensure we offer the perfect strategy from the start.
- Do they come highly recommended? It’s easy for an agent to say they are the best, but what does everybody else think? Take a look at our reviews to see for yourself!
Next up, prep your home.
Your home is unique. So let’s show it off!
Tackle the big jobs first. Whether this is the front of the house needing a paint job or a gutter that’s been leaking for a bit too long, tick those jobs off before we head to market. These things can put buyers off instantly, so it’s best to get them sorted ahead of time.
Smaller jobs that can make a big difference include:
- A fresh lick of paint! We’re not talking home makeovers and on-trend neon wallpapers, just touching up any scuffs and scratches.
- If you’re lucky enough to have a garden or balcony, make sure it’s looking it’s best (dependent on the season). Outdoor spaces are a huge selling point, so keeping the lawns and hedges neat really makes a difference to buyers.
- Furniture! The all-important feng shui. This is something we strive to help with when we’re marketing your property. 54% of a viewer's time is spent looking at furnishings and decor (says Zoopla’s recent eye-tracking study) so make sure to show off your home in the best possible light and help potential buyers to envisage their new life in all its glory. It’s that all-important balance of de-cluttering vs showing your home’s personality. Don’t worry, Kerry and Maddie from our team are always on hand to help if this isn’t your cup of tea!
Get in the know
House prices. We know this can often be a daunting topic, so let’s break it down.
At Loney Miller, we will always strive to achieve the best price for your property, while remaining realistic and paying close attention to the local market.
The stats…
Rightmove’s latest figures (taken at the end of November 2024) place Southfields homes at an overall average of £978,000 over the last year. The majority of these are apartments, selling at an average price of around £560,000.
Properties in our borough of Wandsworth sat at an overall average of approximately £825,000, again with most of these being flats and apartments.
As per Rightmove’s latest House Price Index, London’s average number of days to sell a home is one of the lowest in the country, sitting at 63 at present (November 2024).
Even more assuringly, Rightmove’s 2025 forecast states that new seller asking prices will rise by 4%, which is their highest prediction since 2021!
To find out what we’d value your property at, why not give us a call on 0208 945 7555.
Finally, let’s get you on the market!
To find out more about selling your home in South West London and what the next steps are, contact our friendly team!