How To Sell A Bungalow
Selling almost any property can be a challenging experience filled with stress. After all, there’s a lot of paperwork and frustration involved, and the issue of finding the right buyer is ever-present. Nowhere is this more true, though, than when you go to sell a bungalow. Understanding these unique properties and what it takes to sell them can be frustrating, but it’s important to realise that as frustrating as it can be to sell these kinds of properties, it is more than possible to do so. Some bungalows sell quite quickly. Knowing what to do and when to do it can help, and this guide offers you just that!
What Makes A House A Bungalow?
Is your house a bungalow? If you’re unfamiliar with the definition of this term, it might help a bit to start there. A bungalow is a single-storey home. They’re typically much smaller than other properties on the market, and they’re typically incredibly affordable. Not every small house you see, though, is a bungalow. So what’s the difference between this kind of property and other fairly small houses? They’re typically much older homes. Bungalows usually cover a larger expanse of land because they don’t have a second storey. Because of that, and tighter than ever land restrictions and availability in the UK these days, you don’t see many new bungalows. Most were built during the 20th century.
Keep in mind that it is possible to see a bungalow that has a loft conversion, thus a second level to the home, but that doesn’t disqualify it from fitting into this property category. If it is a true bungalow, the loft conversion still has a sloping roof, and any windows placed in it are dormer windows. Often you will see this kind of property called a chalet bungalow.
Bungalows tend to be quite desirable on the UK property market these days as they’re incredibly cost-efficient at almost every level, but given that they are smaller, they’re not always the right choice for everyone.
Do Bungalows Take Longer To Sell?
Bungalows don’t necessarily take longer to sell than any other property type on the UK market today. There are several reasons people love bungalows today. They tend to be easier to maintain because they have such a small footprint. They’re very friendly property options for those who are physically disabled or have other movement challenges. They’re great for those looking to age in place, too. They do, however, often have higher than average maintenance costs for things like roofing, plumbing, and more, which can make them a bit costlier than other kinds of properties. What’s more, though, is that not everyone is in the market for a smaller property. Instead, people seem to want more space than ever, which can make it tough to sell a bungalow. They are popular among some buyers, though, and because they’re not being created these days, they’re a unique choice that inspires many buyers to purchase them. You won’t necessarily have trouble selling your bungalow, but as with selling any property, there are no guarantees. If you come across a buyer looking for a property just like yours, you’ll be far more likely to end up completing the sale. If the property market isn’t as strong as it once was, though, you may have a bit more trouble selling it.
How To Make Your Bungalow Sell Faster
If you are listing your bungalow, and you hope to make it sell as fast as possible, there are several ways you can make that happen. The very first step you should take is the one you do before you ever list your home – prepare it for the sale. One of the best ways to begin this process is to declutter. If you’ve ever had a chance to look at all of those photos of homes for sale, one thing you’re likely to notice in all of them is that they have very few knickknacks and other belongings. They often look downright sparse. There’s a reason for that – fewer things in the photos mean fewer distractions for potential buyers. Decluttering your bungalow will allow you to create that same feel in your space. Given that you’re already working with a fairly small space, you’ll want to showcase just how roomy it can be by decluttering. You want to try to focus on getting rid of the day-to-day pile-up like letters on the sideboard or collections of stuff. Keep the hallways as clear as possible, and make certain the entryway feels spacious, too. As you work to declutter, you’ll want to depersonalise your space as well. This means taking down the family photos and packing them away for the day you move. If you love Manchester United, you may have an impressive collection of posters, bobbleheads, and more, but it’s best to pack those away, too, so a potential buyer can imagine themselves and their stuff in your bungalow.
Aside from doing a solid clearing-out job around the bungalow, you’ll also want to focus on cleaning things up. You want to perform a solid deep clean before a buyer ever walks in. It may be helpful to contact a professional cleaning crew, as they can usually get all of those hidden spots people tend to miss when they clean their own house.
Once the cleaning is done, it’s time to address a few other issues. Initially, you’ll want to focus on the lighting in your home. People like spaces that are bright and airy, and there are a few different ways to do just that in your bungalow. First, make sure all of the bulbs in your bungalow are of the brightest possible wattage and that they all work. Replace any that don’t. You may also want to replace a few fixtures that don’t seem quite bright enough. Then, replace your heavy drapes with sheer curtains to help let more light in. Additionally, you’ll want to clean the windows both inside and out to ensure grime and build-up don’t block the view for a potential buyer. Finally, if you have spaces that still seem a bit dim, be sure to add a floor or table lamp to the mix as well as a few mirrors, as they can help brighten any space.
Your next step is to address the walls in your bungalow. If they’re a dark, dreary colour, or even if they’re a loud, bright colour, you’ll want to paint them with a more neutral palette. Don’t worry – this isn’t designed to make your home look boring. Instead, it’s designed to help make it ideal for any potential buyer’s décor scheme.
Next, you’ll want to make those minor repairs around the bungalow that you keep forgetting about. If you have a cracked tile in the kitchen, some scuffs along the baseboard, or other problem spaces, you’ll want to make those little fixes as soon as possible.
The final step in the process is to deal with your kerb appeal. You want a buyer to fall in love with your bungalow the moment they pull up. Start by trimming your front and back garden. If you have a path, you’ll want to be sure you have washed it carefully. The same is true for the front door. You’ll want to either give it a good scrub or a new coat of paint. Be sure your home looks tidy and well-loved from the outside, and you’ll be able to invite buyers in easily.
What To Do If You Can’t Sell Your Bungalow
If you find yourself in a situation where you simply don’t have a buyer who has appeared, there are a few different things you can do.
You may want to start by considering the price of your bungalow. Often those working on a private sale or even an estate agent can get a little too positive when it comes to the potential selling price. Look at homes that have a similar size and similar amenities in your area. Is your selling price comparable? If it’s much higher, potential buyers are likely to look elsewhere for a property. If it’s much lower, they may think something is wrong with your bungalow. Visit your estate agent to see if you need to consider a price change to help attract more buyers.
In addition to taking that step, you may want to evaluate your estate agent’s current performance. Is your bungalow being marketed properly? When you look at all of the advertising available, does it showcase your bungalow’s best features? If not, you may want to chat with your estate agent to see what you can do to better highlight the property’s performance.
If none of those seems to be an issue, and you still can’t seem to sell, you do have a few other options. It may be possible to find a tenant to rent your bungalow. Keep in mind, however, that if you have a mortgage on the property, you will need to get permission from the bank to do so. You could also sell the bungalow to a cash buyer. Often these individuals are willing to take any property off your hands for cash within about 14 days, so it may be worth it to check into that if you feel like you need to move forward quickly on a sale. The other option is to sell your bungalow back to the bank, though this can be a complicated process that may create problems for your credit rating in the future.
Why Buy A Bungalow In The First Place?
Bungalows often offer huge advantages, so they’re not usually very difficult to sell. In many cases, those looking to downsize are often looking for bungalows. What’s more, though, is that they’re stylish, and that has pushed many people looking for a trendy property to consider a bungalow. They also have the potential for conversion and expansion, which can mean great returns for many buyers. Bungalows aren’t likely to wane in popularity shortly, either, given that they’re no longer being built, so as people discover just what a gem they are in the property market, they’re only going to get easier to sell.
You Can Sell Your Bungalow Quickly!
It’s becoming easier than ever to sell bungalows in today’s property market. As you work to sell yours, make certain that you prepare it for the market well. Any home on the market will have trouble selling if it isn’t as clean as it should be or if it is filled with clutter, and bungalows are a little different. Let that natural light in, and make any necessary repairs. Then ensure you connect with the right estate agent. After all, with some creative marketing, it is more than possible to sell your bungalow for a great price, and that can mean you move your home on and off the market as quickly as possible so you don’t have to worry about a long, drawn-out sales process that will only frustrate you in the long run. So, what are you waiting for? Begin preparing your bungalow for its new listing right away! It’s a decision you won’t regret, as you’re likely to have buyers lined up almost the day it hits the market.
