How to sell your own home #2 Step-by-step guide

If you're planning on selling your own home, it's important that you understand what's involved. Here are our steps to successful solo selling...

1. Get to grips with the basics
As you'll be managing the sale of your property yourself, you'll need to brush up on the basics of home selling. Also bear in mind that you will need to prepare a Home Information Pack for prospective buyers as of June 1, 2007.

2. Target your market
It's important to market your property to the right audience, so decide on a target group and then make your home appeal specifically to then. Read a neighbourhood profile to see the types of people that may be attracted to your area, and think about the likely methods they will be using to look for their next home.

3. Market your property at the right price
Research the property market in order to place your home for sale at the right price. View recent house sale prices in your area to see how much similar properties are selling for and check property price trends. Investing in a property valuation report for £20 will give you an instant market valuation of your property.

4. List your property online
Now you're ready to go, check out various sell your home online services. There are several offerings on the market, such as The Little House Company, Houseweb and Click2Move. When deciding on which online service to use, check which property sites and portals your property will be advertised on, and match these as closely as possible to your audience.

Also check if there is a time limit on your listing and if any extras are thrown in, such as a Home Information Pack.

5. Write a catchy ad
In order to attract buyers, you need to create an appealing advert for your home. Get ideas from the professionals by browsing existing property listings. Include as many photos as possible, showcasing your home's best features, and make the description accurate and honest.

6. Organise the legalities
Once you have sold your property you will need a good conveyancer to manage the legal side of things, and will have to pay solicitor's fees as with any property sale.

Selling your own home - is it for you?

Selling your home privately can be more involved and time consuming for you than a traditional sale might be. But if you're looking for a sale where you're in charge, and you like the idea of saving on estate agent charges, it could be the right path.

If you're not ready to face the perils of the property market yourself just yet, see how selling property using an estate agent compares, and how to find a good one...

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