Better Call Ben

I've been in estate agency since I left school, which was quite a while ago.During that time there's not much I haven't experienced and dealt with. Part of my service is offering free, no obligation advice and below are two common questions I'm regularly asked.Q: I'm thinking of putting my home on the market in April. Do you have any advice on how I should prepare before it goes on sale?A: Your question falls into what estate agents call the Three P's. They are Price (it's crucial your home isn't over / under valued), Presentation (which I'll expand on below) and Promotion (this is where good agents excel and earn their commissions).When getting your home ready to present to potential buyers think of the time of year. If it goes on in late January or early February the weather will still be bleak so make sure your place looks as warm, homely and inviting as possible. If you decide to sell in the spring ensure that your garden or any outside space you have is well maintained and somewhere people can imagine sitting and enjoying a warm day.Q: Do you have any advice on choosing a solicitor to carry out the conveyancing work on my property sale?I have a couple of local solicitors who I refer. Not because I get a referral fee or commission but purely because I know they are good, very approachable and get the job done.I'd also recommend asking friends and family for referrals. If they've dealt with a good solicitor in the past it's worth getting a quote from them.One thing I would strongly suggest is don't be swayed purely on price. Conveyancing is like most areas of life – you get what you pay for. Some of the cheaper companies are to be avoided as in my experience the level of service from some of them leaves a lot to be desired.If you have a question please do not hesitate to get in touch with me., I've been in estate agency since I left school, which was quite a while ago. During that time there's not much I haven't experienced and dealt with.