Ask anybody to make a list of stressful life events, and you can be sure that moving house will be right up there.
New job. New baby. Divorce. Selling house. Oh, and watching England play football.
Five potential blood boilers right there. But what is it about selling a house that’s so stressful?
Why is selling a home a stressful process?
Stressful moments can arise at any given moment during the house-selling process.
In fact, the length of time it can take to get a sale over the line is typically one of the main stress-inducers.
Buyers pulling out, estate agents holding up the deal, solicitors taking their time, the dreaded property chain; so much of the selling process is out of our control, it’s easy to end up feeling helpless and frustrated.
Even the bits we do have a say over – like preparing the property for viewings – can prove time-consuming. And who has time these days?
Money and stress do tend to go hand in hand as well. We’re dealing with thousands of pounds here, so the occasional bout of anxiety is understandable.
Setting an asking price can be stressful, getting the full price even more stressful – especially if your dream home is on the line. On top of that, all the extra costs involved – from stamp duty to solicitors fees – can lead to extreme financial fretting.
Even the physical act of moving is enough to give some homeowners palpitations. Organising removal vans, packing boxes, wondering what to keep, and what to throw; we’re getting stressed just thinking about it.
Tips for reducing stress when selling your home
Prepare well in advance
Start planning for the process as early as you can. Selling a house involves a lot of paperwork, so get all your documentation in order from the start. Title deeds, energy performance certificates, mortgage documents; getting a handle on all this admin early can save a lot of time later down the line. Preparation towards the end of a sale is also vital for stress levels. Give yourself time to pack, slowly making your way through each room so not to miss anything.
Keep things neat and tidy
Who knows how many house viewings you could end up having? While multiple viewings are undoubtedly a good thing, you’re going to want your house looking its best every single time. Give it one mighty spring clean right at the beginning, and then keep on top of it throughout the process. Not having to rush home from work and perform a ‘big clean’ before every viewing will go a long way to reducing stress.
Find a good estate agent
If you choose to sell your house through an estate agent, finding a good one will be worth their weight in gold. They’ll market the house, arrange viewings, negotiate, offer advice. Do your research, talk to any friends in the area who’ve recently moved. A good agent will guide you through the process, answer all your queries, and ensure you get the best possible deal.
Practise self care
Selling a house is a rollercoaster of emotions. Stress is directly linked to our physical and mental wellbeing, and it can be easy to forget this during the whole sale saga. Make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep, and try to eat foods that are good for you. Exercise is also a great stress reliever.
Also, try and retain a positive attitude throughout, and don’t panic when things begin to slow down. It’s called a process for a reason.
Consult a dedicated business for assistance
You can’t get too much advice when looking to sell a house. Hull Cash Buyers’ team has years of property experience in and around the Hull area, and we would be more than happy to help guide you through what we know can be an incredibly stressful time. Our quotes come with no obligation, so you can walk away, assess all your options, and then come back to us, no pressure, no stress.
We’re here to help
Hull Cash Buyers may not come round and help pack your boxes, but we will take away a lot of the stress involved in selling.
Selling through Hull Cash Buyers gives you full control of the process. You can move at your own pace, there are no multiple viewings to worry about, and no estate agent fees. We even cover the legal costs.
And don’t worry if your home has seen better days, we buy properties in any condition.