Jackson Bailey, Botley

Here at Jackson Bailey we understand that many of the clients we work with may not be familiar with the areas they are looking to move to.

With many years of experience in the relocation sector of property buying and selling we are focused on making that move as easy as possible by doing any research for you to save you time and providing all the information you need to know about a new area and the next chapter of your life.

A new home is not all about the property, it is also about the lifestyle that property and area has to offer. We have positioned ourselves to be able to offer a wide range of properties in specific locations that prove popular for home buyers due to transport links, schooling, shopping and leisure activities. Whether you need to access Southampton itself or a wider area such as London, the motorways and mainline train stations are within a reasonable distance to the areas we focus on.

We take the time to really understand your move, not just how many bedrooms you require but if you are looking to cater for any particular hobbies or even if you need garaging for a classic car the more we know about your search the easier it will be to seek out your perfect new home.

So get in touch today so we can start our home seeker process and make the move with you.

The buying and selling process can be confusing, so we have compiled the key stages to help you through the process:

• Consider your finances - Speak to your bank or an independent financial advisor. So, you understand what you can afford and the cost implications associated with moving home.

• Book your free valuation - Have agents to value your house and produce a marketing strategy of how and when best to market your home for sale to achieve the best price in your preferred time frame.

• Prep your house & arrange your photos, measurements and floor plan - We produce excellent brochures and online adverts for the properties we represent, we take pride in our marketing and take the time to produce the right advert for a successful marketing campaign.

• Launch your advert - Once you have signed off your property brochure we will launch the property on our website and Rightmove.

• Viewings take place at your home - Our professional team show your property to prospective buyers. These applicants will have been qualified so we know their budgets, we know their position and so we know the property suits their needs. After a viewing takes place you will receive accurate feedback from your agent.

• Negotiating offers to achieve the best price - As we will have qualified the potential buyer and met them in person this gives us the edge when negotiating to achieve the best possible price.

• After an offer has been agreed - We work hard to get everything in place to start the sales progression process. This includes: Financially qualifying your purchaser, getting the solicitors in place on both sides of the transaction to send out the sales memorandum and changing the internet listing and board status to SSTC.

• The sales progression process begins - We will communicate on a regular basis between you, your purchaser, other agents involved in the chain and the solicitors to reach exchange and then completion as quickly as possible. We understand that the longer a sale takes to complete the likelihood of it falling through increases...nobody wants that!

• During the sales progression - Solicitors will start searches, raise enquiries and answer enquiries, your financial advisor/lender will arrange the mortgage valuation on the property you are buying or selling. If everything is acceptable then dates will be finalised for exchange and completion.

• Exchange of contracts and completion - Exchange happens and makes the transaction legally binding. Now you need to pack up the house organise your removals and on day of completion collect your keys for your new home, pop the champagne and celebrate!

Before putting your property on the market, it is crucial that you properly get your house ready for viewers.

Staging is crucial to ensuring that your property will attract not only the right buyers, but by spending the time on properly preparing your property, you can ensure a faster and more financially rewarding process.

As a result, our expert property team here at Jackson Bailey has put together their top industry approved tips on getting your home ready for potential buyers.

Decluttering is key as it allows your viewers to envisage how they would have your property look if it was up to them. By removing unnecessary knick-knacks and having open window sills and surfaces, you also allow your property to feel large, spacious and really show off all the living space your home offers.

However, when removing clutter, it is important that you don't take the personality away from your home. People want to feel like they are entering a proper home, not just a house. This will allow them to see the lifestyle that goes along with your property. For example, in Southampton where there are so many things to do outdoors, a pair of wellingtons in the hall can represent this active family lifestyle in a charming and simple way.

People say first impressions count, and nothing could be truer than the crucial first impression that you form when entering your potential new home. One way to ensure that this impression is as good as it can be is to freshen up your property. This can be achieved simply by giving those tired rooms an all-important lick of paint. A newly painted neutral wall will not only make your property feel clean and inviting, but it will also brighten up the space, making it feel spacious.

A tidy and neat environment will allow viewers to really see how their life would look here, not to mention give them peace of mind that minimal work needs doing to the property.

Another handy tip to allow your living spaces speak for themselves is to remove any overlarge furniture pieces and perhaps replace them with smaller ones. This will give viewers the impression of space and value for money, which when selling property, really can make all the difference. When choosing these extra pieces, always bear in mind that they should be simple, but homely. You don't want to overpower your potential buyers with one specific style, but an open and generic one, which can spark their imagination and allow them to consider how they would use the spaces.

Just as important, if not more, as freshening and decluttering, is making sure that your property sparkles! A dirty kitchen, out of control garden or dusty windows can immediately put buyers off. It will give them the impression that you haven't taken care of your property, which for them, will signal that there may be lots of DIY and fixing work to be undertaken. And for those with tight budgets, this can be an immediate turn off.

Ensure that you get the price you deserve by paying extra special attention to preparing your property for viewings and the staging process. In the week before this process begins, give your house a deep clean and repair or retouch all those minor aspects that could give off the wrong impression. Also, do not forget to pay attention to your garden to make the most of any outdoor space you may have. Simple things like removing washing lines, re-gravelling paths and making sure the lawn is mown can make the crucial difference between sale and refusal.

So there you have it, three simple things to ensure that you give your property the best chance once it is on the market. It is crucial to remember that you are presenting your property as a lifestyle choice, a lifestyle in a vibrant, busy and beautiful coastal city.