It may seem tempting to sell privately, but in every instance we would recommend the use of an FBEAS Member Agent. O.K so you will have to pay a commission but believe you me it will be hard earned. By choosing an FBEAS Agent you will have the security to know that you are dealing with a fully registered professional, bound by a Strict Code of Practice, and whose costs and charges will be clearly defined and if there is no sale there will be no fee.

Reasons for Sale?

Some time during a viewing you will surely be asked why you are selling your property. Make sure you have prepared your answer.

First Impressions are Very, Very Important

If you are serious about selling your home, then you have your part to play in helping your FBEAS Agent with the sale. Make sure the property is in tip top condition inside and out. Especially:

• Make sure the outside of the house, garden (if there is one) and especially the entrance is clean and tidy. The appearance of the front door is so important it might be worth buying a new one.
• Finish any small repairs that is left unfinished will make the property look scruffy.
• Ensure the inside of the house is clean, tidy and free from clutter. Redecorate if necessary.
• Remove any unwanted furniture as this will make the rooms seem more spacious.

A property that is not clean or well maintained is a red flag for the buyer. It is an indication that the property has not been cared for and subsequently there may be hidden defects that will result in increased cost of ownership. Sellers who fail to make necessary repairs or who fail to keep it clean, neat and tidy, will lose potential buyers quicker than the Agent can bring them to the property. Buyers in general are poor judges of the cost of repairs, and always over estimate any costs involved and this will be reflected in any subsequent offer, so make sure the property is free from defects.

Over Improving the Property

Sellers can unwittingly spend a fortune making the wrong improvements to their home prior to putting the property for sale in the mistaken belief that they will recoup the costs. If you are upgrading your home for your personal benefit, then fine. However, if you are thinking of selling, you should be aware that only certain upgrades to real estate are cost effective. Always consult with your FBEAS Agent with regard to any improvements prior to a sale.

Choosing the Wrong Agent

Many homeowners will choose the agent who advises them of the highest asking price. Sellers need to choose an experienced agent with the best marketing plan to sell their home. In the real estate business, an agent with many successfully closed transactions usually costs the same as someone who is inexperienced. That experience could mean a higher price at the negotiating table, selling in less time, and with a minimum amount of fuss. Whilst not all agents are FBEAS members, should you choose an FBEAS Agent you will have the comfort of knowing that he will be fully conversant with and abide by the FBEAS Code of Practice, and have the professional skills, experience and integrity to conduct the sale of your home.

Setting a Realistic Market Value

Get a current market valuation from your local FBEAS estate agent. They will have local knowledge of the area, and of the current values. You might like to check prices for similar properties in the area on the internet, local press and estate agents publications, but do not fall into the trap of confusing an asking price with a selling price, they can be as different as chalk and cheese. In many circumstances the seller will base the asking price on what they need, related to what has been invested in the property rather than an objective market valuation. This can prove to be an expensive mistake. If your home is not priced competively, buyers will reject it in favour of other properties that are more favourably priced. In the worst possible scenario your property will not even be viewed by a prospective purchaser, because it is priced outside their budget. The result is increased dormant time in the market place and even when the price is lowered or the market catches up, the buyers are wary simply because "nobody wants to buy real estate that nobody wants". Evantual results may be as diverse as low priced offers or an unwillingness to negotiate on behalf of the buyer. Every seller wants to realise as much money as possible from the sale, but a listing priced too high often eventually sells for less than the market value. Be advised by a registered FBEAS Agent, who will have the requisite skills and experience to provide you with an accurate and realistic market value.

Decide on the Selling Approach

If you decide to use an FBEAS Agent you may if you wish have the advantage of your property being shared with all the other FBEAS via the Federation Property Portal. Please note these is no cost for this additional service and as you know, your FBEAS will only charge their commission on completion of a sale.

Interfering During a Viewing

Buying a home is an emotional decision. Buyers like to "try on" a house and see if it is comfortable for them. It is difficult for them to do if you follow them around pointing out every improvement that you made. Goods agents let the buyers discover the home on their own, pointing out only features they are sure are important to them. Overselling loses many sales. If buyers thing they are paying for features that are not particularly important to them personally, theey will reject the home in favour of a less expensive home without the features. Sellers beware!!

Take the First Offer Seriously

Oftern sellers believe that the first offer received will be one of many to come. There is a tendency to not take it seriously, and to hold our for a higher price. This is especially true if the offer comes in soon after the home is placed on the market. Experienced agents know that more often than not the first buyer ends up being the best buyer, and many, many sellers have had to accept far less money than the initial offer later in the selling process. Real estate is mose saleable early in the marketing period, and the amount buyers are willing to pay diminishes with the length of time a property has been on the market. Many sellers wouth give their right arm to find that prospective buyer who made the first, and ONLY offer.

Know Your Rights and Obligations

The contract the prospective purchaser will sign to buy your property and the contract you will sign to sell it are complex and legally binding documents. An improperly written contract will allow the purchaser to void the sale, or could involve you in unnecessary costs. Although these documents will be in Spanish, your FBEAS Member Agent will be able to fully explain their contents and consequences.

Market the Property Properly

Good marketing opens the door that exposes real estate to the marketplace. It means distinguishing your home from hundreds of others on the market. It also means selling the benefits, as well as the features. The two most obvious marketing tools (open houses and print advertising) are only moderately effective. Just 1% of homes are sold at open houses, and advertising studies show that only 3% of people purchased their home because they called on a print ad! Your FBEAS Agent will employ a wide variety of marketing activities, including waiting clients, property exhibitions, internet marketing and collaborations with our FBEAS Agents.