It has been well publicised that the current property market is characterised in many areas by strong demand and a shortage of homes for sale. 

And with these two factors at play, the resulting fierce competition might seem daunting for anyone looking to move. However, there are still a number of ways that buyers can make themselves stand out from the crowd. Here are my top tips:

Put your face to your name

Setting up new property alerts with the main property websites is a good way to start your search but registering and building a relationship with an agent could give you the edge. Meet them face to face and give as much information as you can about your situation and what you are looking for. Being clear about your requirements will help with matching, and they may be able to suggest the perfect property before it hits the market.

Be personal

The most desirable homes are likely to generate a lot of interest and the sellers might want to put the property to best and final bids early on. While a number of those selling might opt simply for the highest price, in a situation where multiple parties are offering similar amounts, a personal letter with your offer explaining who you are and why you love their home might get you over the line. After all, selling can be a deeply personal and emotional experience and more often than not people like to know that the new buyers will appreciate their home as much as they did.

Broaden your horizons

Time and time again we see how important a home in the right location is for many buyers, but in a competitive marketplace it might be worthwhile looking slightly beyond your target area. Good agents will know the area like the back of their hand so will be great at suggesting locations that you might not have thought about before but which have the same sense of community or amenities that you desire.

Go chain free

A clear way to be seen as an attractive buyer is to be chain free. So if you have to sell in order to buy, one way to do that is to sell first and rent while you look. Yes, it might mean essentially moving twice, but you will be in a much better position as far as sellers are concerned. And if you are looking to move to a new area, renting can also be a good way to try before you buy.

Sort your paperwork

It might sound obvious but some still overlook getting their paperwork in order. For those buying with a mortgage, having a mortgage in principle agreement in place will show sellers that you can afford the home you want to buy. And not having the required ID to hand, for example, can cause delays. If you are unsure about what you’ll need, an agent can advise.

Further information

Contact Ed Stoyle

View all property currently available

The house-buying process explained