Emotional Selling

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No matter what your square footage is, selling a home of any size, for whatever reason, is guaranteed to give you a few sleepless nights. But a bit of preparation can go a long way. So with that in mind, here are the five (it wouldn’t be fair to say easy) steps of selling a home.



Denial
You’ve known it’s been time to move for a while, but procrastination has become your bedfellow. Excuses have been far too easy to come by and it’s kept you from making important decisions. Of course there are endless reasons to put a move off – a new child, uncertainty at work, low stock or simply a lack of funds are just a few of the more than valid arguments – but it’s important to remember, and if possible, prioritise, the arguments for a move, otherwise you’ll continue to put things off and miss out on great opportunities.

Anger
You will feel it. That’s a stone cold fact. But the trick is not letting it take over. Any number of incidents could trigger it – an unaccepted bid, a complex chain will form that stalls negotiations, or a surveyor will tell you that the dream house you’re sure you’ve just found has more subsistence than the Torre did Pisa – but you can’t, and yes it is easier said than done, lose your temper unless you have good reason. Along with bereavement and divorce, moving house is one of the most stressful events you can experience, but if you can keep your cool, from the moment you make the big decision to the second you pay the removal men at the door of your new home, you’ll make better decisions and find the whole thing runs a lot more smoothly.

Bargaining
Despite what you may have been told or what you’ve seen on television, haggling is still very much a part of buying and selling homes. Find out what the going rate is for similar homes, and not just in the immediate surrounding area, look further afield in your second or even third choice locations. In short, have a complete understanding of the market you’re entering. If you find a house you love, take as many viewings as you can – you’re about to make a fairly sizable investment, it’s important that you like the place.

“Despite what you may have been told or what you’ve seen on television, haggling is still very much a part of buying and selling homes ”

Doubt
So it’s all going according to plan. You’ve found the right house, in the right place and it’s the right size. In short, it’s your dream home. So why are insidious doubts creeping into your head when you turn the lights out? Well, it’s because you’re about to enter into a large, costly, legally binding agreement. If you weren’t having any doubts, that, ironically, would be something to really worry about.

Success
At some point in the process, traditionally towards the end when everyone’s been paid, someone will put a key in your hand and you’ll breathe an enormous, earth-shattering sigh of relief. First you need to make up your bedroom so you can have a well-earned, unbroken sleep. It might sound stupid, and not a little patronising, but it pays dividends when you’ve spent two days packing and unpacking your life. And the second, and most important, thing is to clear the kitchen as much as you can and cook (or order) your favourite meal. Start living in your new home as soon as possible.