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When it comes to selling a home there are few do’s and don’t’s that will significantly increase the chances of a quick sale.
Harrison Murray has some easy to follow tips, which have been tried and tested among its customers – not least the recent sellers of a Home Counties property that attracted 18 viewings leading to eight offers in just several days!
The independent estate agents and valuers – and National Association of Estate Agent members – suggest:
- In the first instance, choose your agent wisely. Talk to friends, scour the papers, get recommendations and visit agents to get a feel for their style and professionalism.
- Don’t necessarily choose the agent that suggests the highest value for your home, or one that offers the cheapest fee. If the fee is so cheap are they really interested in getting you the best price?
- Put yourself in a buyer’s position and be realistic about your pricing. The memories that make your home so valuable to you aren’t going to be shared by the new owner – they will be thinking about what they will change about the house.
- Get out and view some properties. Unless you know how much your next home will cost, how can you decide what to accept for your own? Think about the figure you are prepared to accept. Knowing this at the outset will help you to price your home competitively and also make negotiations with buyers more straightforward. Don’t dismiss low offers without thinking them through; a swift sale may save you money in the long run.
- First impressions count. Look at the way your house is presented both inside and out. A fresh coat of paint can make all the difference. Tidy the front of your house and clean your front door. If you have a front garden make sure it is well maintained.
- The inside of your house should be as free from clutter as possible, and having a general tidy up will help in preparation for moving. Do all the small jobs you haven’t got around to, such as changing that light bulb and fixing that squeaky door. If a potential buyer is undecided about your property it could be these small things that make the difference between a sale or them walking away.
Harrison Murray managing director Nick Salmon said: “Getting a property sold is a team effort between the agent and the seller so owners who show they’re sensible and keen to sell will always be at the forefront of the agent’s mind.”
As the British obsession with garden improvements continues – creating an outdoor ‘room’ as an extension to our home remains a priority.
It seems that home improvements like new kitchens and bathrooms are giving way to sprucing up that extra living, entertainment, relaxation and personal space known as the garden! According to the findings of a study by Santander insurance, Britons spent a staggering £5.2 billon on garden improvements during the summer of 2010 – 2011. This equates to £1,2800 per average British garden lover, with the survey estimating the improvements have added an average of £3,300 to the value of their home as a result.
Whether you have a cosy courtyard or a generous-sized garden – making the most of any outdoor space could also increase your chances of selling.
A few simple and inexpensive tricks will help create a fabulous outdoor room, according to independent estate agents and valuers Harrison Murray.
- Apply the same tidying rules to the garden as the home if preparing for a viewing. Put away any outdoor toys or tools, and throw away any broken pots or planters.
- Spring is the perfect time to show your lawn some tender loving care! Mow the grass and if there are any bare patches, sow some inexpensive grass seed.
- Containers or pots with seasonal plants can brighten up a patio or bare patch in the garden.
- Invest in some garden furniture for those family BBQs or outside entertaining.
- Get the professional look! A quick and easy trick to create a great look is edging. Take a spade and create deeply defined edges around all your trees and flowers beds.
- Lighten things up with some solar powered lights and put out some bird feeders or a bird table to encourage wildlife – the children will love it.
 Harrison Murray’s Enderby team – winners of the company’s latest Challenge Cup! Forget the chocolate eggs, for Harrison Murray’s Enderby team an Easter treat came in the form of winning the company’s coveted Challenge Cup.
The Leicestershire-based branch lifted the trophy for the month of March, with the neighbouring Melton Mowbray office hot on their heels in second place. Enderby branch manager Sara Quatermass and the team beat off competition from the company’s other 17 branches to clinch the title – awarded for their overall performance and excellent customer care.
Sara said: “We’ve had a fantastic start to the first part of the year and I am delighted that the team’s hard work and commitment has been recognised through this great achievement. We will be proudly displaying the Challenge Cup in our office for all our customers to see, and will be doing our best to hang on to it next month too!”
Sellers in Cambridgeshire have just a few days left to benefit from an extra perk when instructing independent estate agents and valuers Harrison Murray.
For the past few weeks, the company’s branches in Chatteris, March and Wisbech have been helping to put a spring in the step of sellers and local businesses. In a free prize draw, these branches are offering all new sellers – who instruct Harrison Murray as sole agent during March and April 2012 – the chance to win up to £150 in vouchers to spend in local shops. But time is running out, as the incentive ends on Monday April 30.
Three sellers from each branch, selected at random in May, will then each receive a voucher for £50, £100 or £150 to spend in a selection of local stores.
Harrison Murray area director, Charlie Green, who is based at the Wisbech office said: “We know that Spring is traditionally a time when people think about putting their house on the market, and we thought this free prize draw would capture the interest of people who are serious about selling. And to date – it certainly has! As a long-established estate agent with an enviable reputation in the area, our commitment is very much to the local communities, and we see this as an expression of our support for businesses in and around Chatteris, March and Wisbech as well as something extra to offer our customers.”
The draw will take place next month, and winners will be notified in writing by Harrison Murray. Terms and conditions apply and are available from the branches.
With Euro 2012 just a few short months away, local footballing youngsters are already reaching fever pitch – thanks to a sponsorship deal from estate agents Harrison Murray.Melton Foxes Junior Football Club – which is run by dedicated parents and volunteers – has just received a boost from the town’s estate agents and valuers, allowing the club to buy new tops for the under 11s team. The club was established in 1985, and over the past three seasons has become the fastest growing junior club in Melton Mowbray and the surrounding area – with around 230 players and up to 50 children regularly attending the Grass Roots coaching sessions on Saturday mornings.
Ironically, team coach / manager Mark Dolby and other volunteers are also Harrison Murray customers – who have either sold or bought their home through the agent!
Mark said: “The club is entirely made up of volunteers who work tirelessly to make Melton Foxes the successful club it is today. The costs of keeping a club like Foxes going are continually increasing, so we are always looking for new revenue streams. If it wasn’t for companies like Harrison Murray, Melton Foxes would not be able to fund all of their new kit requirements. We are very grateful to have formed this new relationship with Harrison Murray and hope that it will continue into the future.”
Harrison Murray branch partner Mike Ford added: “This was an opportunity to truly get involved in the local community, and one we simply couldn’t pass on. We applaud all the parents and volunteers for running an excellent club and for giving so many youngsters the opportunity to join in something they obviously feel passionate about. We look forward to charting their progress next season.”
 Displaying their new kit, some of the Melton Foxes Under 11’s team with coach/ manager Mark Dolby and Harrison Murray branch partner Mike Ford (left).
A genuine love for the job is one of the main reasons that ‘people person’ Wendy Catton has stayed with one company for a decade.Now Wendy, customer care assistant at Harrison Murray’s successful Harpenden office, is one of a number of long-serving members of staff honoured by the company for their hard work over the past 10 years. Wendy first began working for Harrison Murray as a weekend viewing assistant, in a role that fitted in with her busy home life. After a time, she began working more hours during the week, and for the past three years has been job sharing her current role – at the forefront of customer communication.
She said: “I thoroughly enjoy my job – the team is great and I get a buzz from talking to people either on the telephone or face to face, while having the opportunity to accompany viewings which gets me out and about. Living and working in Harpenden means that I can also share my local knowledge with people, particularly customers who come into the branch and ask general questions about the town.”
As a thank you for her commitment to the company, Wendy was presented with a Red Letter Day treat by Harrison Murray managing director Nick Salmon – which she intends to exchange for a light aircraft flying experience!
Nick said: ” Wendy has been an integral and valued member of the Harpenden team for 10 years and I am very pleased to be able to present her with this well-deserved Red Letter Day. It is relatively unusual for staff to stay with one company for a decade or more but we are very fortunate that at Harrison Murray we have a number of colleagues who have done just that. The reward for us and for them is that we are able to build very strong working relationships. I congratulate Wendy on reaching this milestone in her career.”
 Harrison Murray managing director Nick Salmon congratulates Harpenden’s Wendy Catton on her 10 years with the company.
As Easter approaches, many people take advantage of the school and Bank Holidays to enjoy a well-earned break. But with your estate agents continuing to work hard on your behalf, there are a few steps you can take to ensure there are no missed opportunities when it comes to viewings.
Independent estate agents and valuers Harrison Murray have a few seasonal tips for sellers to ensure they don’t miss out on any interest in their home this Easter.
- Inform your agent that you are going away – and above all, leave them a key. There is nothing worse than having to turn away interested viewers in your absence because the agent has no access to your home.
- Ensure that your home is spotless if you are going away for a few days.
- DO empty household rubbish bins, make sure all work surfaces are clean and tidy, clear out magazine racks, ensure that draining boards and sinks are clear of washing up and the dishwasher is empty.
- DON’T leave any washing hanging over the radiators, dying flowers in a vase or fruit past its best in the bowl. Give your home a general once-over to ensure there is no clutter lying about.
- A couple of strategically placed air fresheners will ensure a pleasant aroma in your home .
- Finally, make sure your agent has a contact number in case they need to call you about that all important offer!
Harrison Murray’s development director Jackie Scotten said: “The Easter break is a great time to recharge your batteries after the winter months – but for those people who are looking to move, it presents a wonderful opportunity to go house hunting.
“If your home is for sale and you are planning a few days away over Easter, it is certainly worth doing what we have suggested before you leave.”
Harrison Murray estate agents are expanding their service into new areas of Leicestershire, following a high demand for property across the county.
 Harrison Murray director Richard Bocock The independent estate agents and valuers can now offer a comprehensive service to potential customers in the Charnwood and Loughborough areas, as part of its overall commitment to buyers and sellers in Leicestershire. This expansion will complement what it already offers customers using its other local branches, a service that has already been enhanced by the recent opening of a new office in Lutterworth and the introduction of a lettings service in Melton Mowbray.
Leicestershire-based Harrison Murray director Richard Bocock said: “Harrison Murray already has a long-standing and enviable reputation in Leicestershire, and we are delighted to be expanding our service to sellers and buyers in pockets of the county where demand for properties is growing. We have specialist valuers working closely with customers who in turn benefit from our many years of experience and success in selling residential properties.”
 Teresa Foreman is presented with her Red Letter Day by managing director Nick Salmon. A genuine love for her job ranks highly among the reasons for estate agent Teresa Foreman staying with one company for a decade. Now Teresa, branch partner at Harrison Murray’s successful Chatteris office, is one of a number of long-serving members of staff honoured by the company for their hard work over the past 10 years.
From her early days with Harrison Murray as a part time sales secretary, Teresa then fast-tracked to branch manager before being promoted to branch partner in July 2007.
She said: “I started as a part time sales secretary to fit in around the children when they were young, and all my 10 years with Harrison Murray have been at the Chatteris office – simply because I love the job so much. The company has always looked after me and, in spite of other job offers, I have always been loyal to them.Working in Chatteris is fantastic, I’m so lucky to have a wonderful team around me, and to have so many friends in the local community – as well as a very large number of satisfied customers!
Teresa was presented with a Red Letter Day treat by Harrison Murray managing director Nick Salmon on behalf of the company, which she hopes to exchange for a relaxing weekend away in a boutique hotel with her husband.
Nick added: “It has become increasingly rare for employees to remain with the same company for a decade or more, but at Harrison Murray we are very fortunate to retain good staff in the long term. That is rewarding for them and for us and enables us to build first-class working relationships. Teresa is a brilliant branch partner and she leads a great team. I am delighted to present Teresa with her very well deserved Red Letter Day.”
They say things come in threes – and for estate agents Harrison Murray, it’s another top performing month for Cambridgeshire.
Presented with the company’s coveted Challenge Cup for the month of February is the March branch, which has ensured that the cup has stayed in Cambridgeshire for the third consecutive month.
 Challenge Cup champs! The team from Harrison Murray’s March branch left to right; Branch manager Daniel Smethurst and the team beat off competition from the company’s other 17 branches to clinch the title – and have taken over possession of the cup from the neighbouring Chatteris office (January winners) and the Wisbech office before that!
The Challenge Cup operates on a company league table, with all branches eligible to enter and takes into account general performance for the company as well as customer service. The March team is also on course to win Harrison Murray’s annual challenge award, and is currently leading the other offices on performance.
Daniel said: “We’ve had a fantastic start to the year and I am delighted that the team’s hard work and commitment has been recognised through this great achievement.
“We will be proudly displaying the Challenge Cup in our office for all our customers to see, and will be doing our best to hang on to it next month too!”
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