16 April 2011
Posted in Property Info

In a difficult market, those with a Golf del Sur property to sell can be facing some difficulties to generate interest in their property. But all is not lost, and savvy property owners are making every effort to ensure that their properties more marketable. Here we try to give some advice for anyone thinking of putting their property up for sale.

If you are trying to sell your property in Golf del Sur or Amarilla Golf, you would by definition have already been through the process of buying a Tenerife property, and you would also have gained some insights into the world of overseas property dealings. However, the process of selling your property is very different from that of purchasing, and can also be open to a great many pitfalls.

In order to guide you through this process, to help you to sell quickly, and ensure a clean exit with your money safely back in your hands, you should make use of the services of a professional estate agent with local experience and knowledge of the market.

Choosing Your Property Agent

When choosing your property agent (you can use more than one) to sell your property, ensure that they are an established estate agent with all the qualifications necessary to sell your apartment, villa or house in Golf del Sur. Also that they are well known in the local area and are people who can impart good advice to their clients. Make sure that you take the time to talk to them

Ensure that you have thoroughly read and understood their terms and conditions for selling your property. Check that you have a clause in the terms and conditions that mentions that no agent fees are due in the event that they do not sell your property. Also check that the property agent does not charge for advertising as some agents do.

Pricing Properties in the Golf del Sur Area

The key to pricing your Golf del Sur property is to set a reasonable price. Too often these days and in the current economic climate, people set an asking price that will not attract attention from buyers, and valuable space in agent’s windows and in their advertising and web site will naturally be given to properties that the agent believes will attract attention.

A professional valuation, which you will need to pay for, may come in handy to give you some idea of the worth of your property in Golf del Sur. Should the prospective purchaser want or need a mortgage, then the lending bank will be using an almost identical valuation to determine the mortgage amount. Several local estate agents will have the necessary professional qualifications to give you a market valuation of your property and be experienced enough in the areas of Golf del Sur, Amarilla Golf and Los Abrigos to be able to provide an accurate valuation. From your agent, this valuation should be free of charge.

Ultimately your chosen sale price is your choice, but be guided by the valuations you receive and listen to the advice of your agent.

Costs of Selling your Property

Apart from the costs of the professional valuation if you choose to have one, you should also be aware of other expenses and taxes involved when selling your Golf del Sur property. These taxes include..

• Plusvalia tax
• 3% retention tax for non-residents
• Capital gains tax if it applies
• Estate agent commission

Your estate agent will explain all of these taxes and expenses to you, and can work out for you an estimate of the amount of money that will be returned to you, after the sale of your apartment/villa/house and all taxes and expenses have been deducted.

Negotiating Offers on your Property

When selling your property, you need to be aware that the initial marketing price is not necessarily the final selling price, as purchasers are always looking for a bargain and will invariably make an offer on the property at a slightly lower price. Your agent will be the person who negotiates on your behalf and they will do their utmost to get you as fair a price as is possible. Of course the decision is ultimately yours whether or not to accept the offer that the prospective purchaser puts forward. If you do not want to accept any offers then make it plain to your agent before marketing, or before they start negotiations with the purchaser.

Most properties in Golf del Sur and also properties in the surrounding areas of Amarilla Golf and Los Abrigos, will have been purchased at a cheaper price than originally marketed over the last 2 or 3 years because the supply has far outstripped the demand, so be aware that negotiation is a key word when selling and be prepared in advance for any negotiations.

Showing the Property

Part and parcel of preparing your Golf del Sur property for viewing is cleaning and renovating. Doing even the smallest things will help improve the chances of success when selling your property. Some simple tasks, such as of doing some repainting; ensuring that the garden, if you have one, is tidy and presentable; or just hiding some of the clutter that everyone has laying around, will help prepare your property for the market.

You may even consider more than just the visual appeal of your house. How does it smell? Should you burn fragrant candles or put on a pot of coffee to give the property an inviting smell? Ask your agent or a friend to take a look around your property and ask if they would change anything to make it appealing to prospective purchasers.

Your Golf del Sur property agent will accompany all their clients to view your property, as they would not expect you to answer a barrage of questions from prospective purchasers, but your input is always welcome both by the agent and also by the client.

Property Presentation Tips

Outside the Property

• Cut the lawn and trim down any shrubs and trees, making the gardens presentable
• Make sure you clear debris from patios and the border of the home, including the surrounding areas
• Have a flowerpot by your front door. It makes the property more inviting
• Clean, paint or varnish the front door and other areas if needed
• Tidy the garage and make sure there is enough parking space for a vehicle
• Make sure your paths and patios are clean and in good repair
• Freshen up outside paint work
• Ensure all varnished surfaces look good
• Replace broken or missing roof tiles
• Make sure garden gates etc, are painted and close properly

Inside the Property

• Maintain a fresh environment. No pet or food odors
• Ensure the property is clean and tidy. Make sure any clutter is put away
• Put fresh towels in all the bathrooms
• Clean walls, doors, woodwork, and light switches
• Remove unnecessary appliances and other objects from kitchen worktops
• Clean all appliances, including inside, and have manuals/warranties on hand
• Repaint or touch-up where necessary
• If you have any vivid or unusual colors on your walls, you might consider repainting with more neutral colours
• Fix any leaks on taps or running toilets
• It is better to have the children out of the way when a potential buyer is coming
• Make sure pets are locked away, or better still, leave them with a neighbor
• Put fresh bread in the oven to give your property a wonderful aroma!
• Make sure your property gives a good general impression

Overview

So if you have a property in Golf del Sur, Amarilla Golf or Los Abrigos to sell, it does require more effort than just giving the details to an estate agent. The old saying “it doesn’t sell itself” has never been more true than today. There is a marketing process which requires effort from both you and your agent.

Remember that properties that do sell are those where the sellers and agents have worked hard together to prepare the offering and give the property every chance on the market.

Article written by specialist property experts from Homes and Away. Working with clients for over a decade in Golf del Sur