Maximising the capital in your home

While the housing market is still facing difficult times there are some small signs that prices are on the increase and that the market is picking up. This is great news for anyone who is trying to sell their home at the moment. However, the reality is that it is still a buyer's market in most parts of the country. 

With so many properties failing to sell for the asking price, or sell within a quick amount of time it can be difficult to release the capital that is in your home. If you want to make the maximum return on your investment there are a few tips you can follow: 

Start a bidding war by under pricing your property 

A new trick favoured by many in the know is to put your house on the market for less than it is worth to trigger a bidding war. In the current climate, a house with a low asking price will attract far more interest than one that is at or above its market value. It is a risky gambit but with the current shortage of properties on the market it's one that could pay off. 

Price high then cut 

Everyone likes to think they are getting a bargain. This tactic works for the whole of the retail industry so why not use it for your house too. If you put your property on the market for a higher asking price then drop it significantly you will have a good chance of attracting a buyer who thinks they are getting an absolute bargain. 

Open it up 

The US style of open house showings is becoming increasingly popular here in the UK. The advantage of this tactic is that prospective buyers get to meet each other face to face, which means they can often put in higher offers to ensure that they beat the competition. Another advantage of this tactic is that knowing an open house is coming up can encourage a prospective buyer to put in an offer beforehand to ensure that the property becomes theirs. 

Present it well 

When trying to sell a property one of the things to ask yourself is, "would I buy my house if it looks like it needs a lot of work?" In most cases the answer is no, so make sure that you have completed any jobs that need doing and that your house is freshly painted and well presented in order to receive a decent offer. 

Get it online 

With the advent of the internet, the property market has completely changed. Increasing numbers of buyers are doing most of their viewings from the comfort of their current homes. If you really want your property to get noticed you need to get it on as many online sites as possible. Minimise any irrelevant information but make sure that essentials such as floor plans and facilities are included and that there are plenty of pictures to increase your chances of an actual viewing.