As children head back to school, many parents will be thinking about more than new uniforms, packed lunches and early mornings. For families considering a house move, the start of the new school year can also be a reminder of just how important location and school catchment areas are when choosing where to live.
For parents hoping to move closer to a particular school, or those looking to sell a family home in a sought-after catchment area, understanding what buyers are looking for can make all the difference.
With school catchments becoming increasingly difficult to guarantee, families are having to plan further ahead. Myles Maloney Regional Director from Chase Buchanan, says parents should look beyond simply assuming that a particular postcode will secure a school place.
“The best advice is to look at historically successful roads close to the school and, importantly, look at the previous year’s admissions not just assuming that simply being within a certain postcode will guarantee a place.”
For parents selling a family home, however, attracting buyers is about much more than the school nearby.
First impressions can make or break a viewing
Today’s property market is highly visual, with many potential buyers deciding whether to book a viewing based largely on the photographs, asking price and location.
But while those elements may get buyers through the door, the eventual decision to buy is often much more emotional.
Kerb appeal, a smart front door, a tidy garden and a clean, well-presented home can all make a significant difference once prospective buyers arrive.
For families, it can be particularly important to show buyers how the house could work for everyday life – from bedrooms and living spaces to storage, gardens and somewhere to dump the school bags!
Family homes remain in demand
In South West London, one of the biggest challenges is the limited supply of good period family homes.
Buyers can often find themselves choosing between purchasing a property with potential that they can improve over time, or stretching their budget for a longer-term family home that is already finished.
That can make the best houses, in the best locations, particularly competitive.
According to Maloney, days and multiple bids are still being seen for properties that offer the right combination of location, presentation and realistic pricing.
Thinking about selling? Put yourself in your buyer’s shoes
One of the most useful pieces of advice for anyone selling their home is to think about who is most likely to buy it.
As Maloney, sellers should consider who they were when they originally bought the property – and who their likely buyer is today.
Is your home the standout property in its price bracket? Or do your expectations perhaps need to be a little more realistic?
For parents selling a family property, these are his key tips:
1. Present your home for your likely buyer
If you’re selling a family home, make sure potential buyers can immediately see how the property could work for family life.
Bedrooms, living areas, garden space and storage should all be presented in a way that makes their purpose clear.
2. Don’t underestimate kerb appeal
First impressions really do matter.
Cleaning windows can make a surprisingly noticeable difference to the amount of light inside the property, while a well-presented entrance, tidy garden and smart front door can all help create a positive first impression.
3. Declutter – but don’t remove all personality
There’s a difference between decluttering and completely depersonalising a home.
Buyers want to be able to imagine themselves living there, but they also need to be able to see the available space.
Clear away unnecessary clutter while retaining some warmth and personality.
4. Give every room a clear purpose
A spare bedroom that’s overflowing with storage may be practical for your family, but it can make it harder for a buyer to see the potential.
Where possible, make sure rooms have a clear purpose. A properly presented bedroom or home office can create a much stronger emotional response than a room packed with boxes and belongings.
5. Get the price right from the beginning
Pricing correctly at launch is arguably more important than ever.
Buyers have access to huge amounts of property information and, if they believe a house is overpriced, many won’t even book a viewing.
Getting the asking price right from the start can help generate interest and create momentum.
6. Make the most of your first week on the market
Good photography and thorough preparation before launch are essential.
Rather than using the first week to test an unrealistic price, sellers should aim to have everything ready so that the property can make the strongest possible impression from day one.
As Maloney, the market can move quickly and the best opportunity to achieve a strong price often comes early in the marketing process.
But that only happens if the price and photography are good enough to make buyers want to see the property in the first place.
Once potential buyers walk through the front door, however, it’s the emotional connection with the home that could ultimately turn a viewing into a sale.
