Understanding the real estate market

Whether you are buying or selling, you need to make sure that you have a good understanding of how the real estate market works. Start doing a little research before you take any steps to either buy or sell a property. Check out the property prices in the area and see how they have changed over the last couple of years.

Monitor the market

Set up notifications so that when new properties come onto the market in your area you can see them straight away. You will be able to determine what is affecting property prices if you are buying. Maybe there is a building site directly opposite that will take three years to finish. Or there might be a good school just around the corner. One can send prices down and the other up.

If you are selling then you can look at the features of houses that are priced higher. Do they have a second bathroom? Maybe they have separate utility rooms? Off-road parking? All of these things are sought-after features and will keep the cost of the property higher. Your real estate agent will advise you on any changes you should make to your home before you list it for sale. This might be something as simple as tidying up the garden or taking care of any small repair jobs that have slipped under the radar. Some work will not add value to your home but by making it more attractive you can encourage more potential buyers to view it.