Legal Advisor - Selling a Property...

By selecting a knowledgeable and professional real estate agent, you ensure that you will sell your property efficiently, in good time and for a good price. Nonetheless, as the owner you are an essential part of the selling process, so the following recommendations outline how you can help us sell your property.

First impressions count! So a vital part of your preparation is:

• Cut the grass, tidy plants and remove rubbish from hard landscaped areas and driveways
• Clean/paint the front door; ensure that door bells/knockers are working properly and that the door opens freely and correctly
• Thoroughly clean the house inside and out (including terraces)
• Repair any damaged fences and gates

Little things that you may be able to live with from day-to-day can be off-putting to buyers, so: 

• Fix or replace all leaking taps - a leak will discolour sanitary ware and suggest problems with the plumbing.
• Replace any blown bulbs and defective power sockets. 
• Fix or replace any loose roof tiles, broken or missing gutters
• Freshen up any unused rooms, which may smell stale; or any rooms with odours resulting from pets or cigarettes. Subtle use of air fresheners / potpourri etc. is always effective.

When we bring a client to view your house, we need your help to show off the property to its full potential:

If the viewing is during the day, open all curtains and shutters and make the most out of the Algarve sunshine.  

If the viewing is at night, turn on all lighting - including external and garden lighting. Lights highlight areas of your property that might not be noticed otherwise and give a welcoming impression.

We appreciate that you yourself may want to show potential buyers around your home and explain its benefits. However, buyers will feel inhibited in your presence and will tend to hasten through the property rather than give it the full attention it deserves. Therefore, our advice is to let us conduct the viewings on your behalf - after all, you're paying us to do just that!  So it's best to occupy yourself elsewhere for 30 minutes, or perhaps take a stroll outside.

If you have pets, keep them away from the main areas of the house for the duration of the viewing. Potential buyers may be disconcerted with animals around, or may even be allergic - if they feel uncomfortable they'll want to leave as soon as possible.

During the viewing, turn down/off the hi-fi and TV.  Allow buyers the time and ambience to contemplate your house, not your taste in music!

Before you lay a new terrace or install a deluxe Jacuzzi, consider the following rule-of-thumb:

If you spend 3,000 euros improving your home, it will rarely add 3,000 euros extra value to the property

Our advice is that you shouldn't spend money to improve a house you're selling unless the house is in such poor condition its value will be dramatically affected. Examples of such exceptions are structural problems; an outdated / unsightly kitchen or bathroom; or a leaking roof.

Please be aware that we, as official real estate agents, will require that you sign a standard sales agreement with all-important details about you (the vendor) and the property. The form (the non exclusive contract) in itself is non-binding.

Be prepared that we will ask you for copies of the following documents:

YELLOW HOMES - Land&Houses Algarve operate no less than 4 different web-sites and is present in several property portals to ensure that any property will be marketed via the Internet the best way possible. 

These web sites are up-dated and operated on a daily basis and prove to be of significant importance for our vendors. These sites bring your property around the world into people's living rooms on a 24/7 basis!

At Yellow Homes we are selling properties day in, day out. If you need any more information, or you have a query regarding anything to do with purchasing property in Portugal, please contact us and we will assist you.