The amount of online searches for bungalows has sky-rocketed in recent times, showing how their popularity continues to soar. The revival of bungalows has put them in high demand, especially as the number of new bungalows being built is relatively low.
Bungalows now appeal to a wide variety of buyers. In the past, they were thought of as properties for retirees, and whilst they’re still popular amongst that demographic, they’re now sought after by young people, families, and empty nesters too. Social media’s had a hugely positive impact on the popularity of bungalows. TikTok and Instagram have highlighted impressive bungalow transformations, and this has made them more appealing to a wider audience.
Whilst bungalows are holding their own in property prices, the property market is unique to your specific area. Generally speaking, the most expensive bungalows are found in London and the South East, and the more affordable ones are in the North East.
When considering how to sell your bungalow quickly, it’s important to prepare your property well, to give yourself the best chance of success. If you’re not sure where to start, then read our guide below and contact your local Hunters branch to talk through your options.
Preparing your bungalow for sale
Before putting your home on the market, spend a bit of time working out how to sell your bungalow quickly. One of the most important things to do is to make it look and feel great; you want to make people feel that your bungalow is the best one on the market.
When selling a bungalow, the first stage is to give everything a thorough clean, so that the surfaces shine and your home smells inviting. Decluttering can also help your bungalow to look and feel larger, so put away all the bits and pieces you might have lying around
Increase your property’s kerb appeal
When thinking about how to sell your bungalow quickly, increasing the kerb appeal of your home makes a big difference. The front of your property is often the lead picture in property listings so it makes the first impression, and it’s important to make it a good one.
A quick and easy way to improve your kerb appeal is to clean and/or repaint your front door. A tired front door will make the property look and feel tired too, and the same goes for fence panels and garage doors. Wash your windows and the window frames, and clean out gutters too.
One of the great benefits to living in a bungalow is that they often have good garden spaces, so maintaining these well really adds to your kerb appeal. Make sure the front garden is tidy, and add some pot plants for colour if you feel the space looks a bit barren. You’ll have a much better chance of selling your bungalow quickly if the kerb appeal is as good as it can be.
Maintenance and improvements
Think about different ideas for improving the visible features around your home, and consider a budget for these things. Outdoor lighting can help your home feel safer and more inviting, especially if people will be viewing it in the darker months of winter. Pruning, shaping or removing overgrown shrubs can make your outdoor space look much more appealing. Indoors, you could consider repainting tired areas or fixing anything that’s broken, like cupboard doors etc. Addressing these things can improve your sale value and get you more for your property.
Interior updates
If you have the budget for it, and you don’t need to move imminently, you could consider some renovations to your bungalow. If your kitchen feels a little small, you could ask a company to quote for a kitchen extension. If this would be too expensive, you could consider updating your current units to give the space a more modern feel. Sometimes simply painting cupboard doors and replacing the handles can make a big difference.
Similarly, if the bathroom feels a little worn then it’s worth getting a company in to re-grout the tiles and replace any tired, dripping taps. Bathrooms need to feel bright and clean, so do all you can to make yours feel that way when selling your property.
If you have the time and money, home renovations can add significant value to your bungalow. House extensions provide more space, and that’s always a benefit when selling a property. Nationwide stated that in 2023, home extensions could add as much as 25% to the value of a property. There are always other factors involved too, such as location and the number of bedrooms, so talk to our expert advisers to see how much an extension could add to the value of your home.
Staging a bungalow
Once you’re ready to put your property up for sale, it’s time to stage it properly so that you can show it off in its best light.
Declutter your rooms, and ensure that the furniture is in the best-looking positions. Add some flowers or a pot plant if you want to freshen up any spaces within your home.
Imagery
When considering how to sell your house, the images of your property are key. People will look at the listing of your house online, and be drawn in by good photos if they make your home look inviting and attractive. You need to catch their eye, and professional photographers know exactly how to do this.
Professional photographers already have the best kit, and they know which angles to use when selling a bungalow. They’ll highlight the key features of your home, and truly show it off in the best light.
Your local Hunters branch will provide professional photography as part of your marketing package, and you don’t need to pay for this service unless we successfully sell your home. Some branches also include videography, so contact your local branch now to find out exactly how your bungalow will be marketed for sale by our expert team.
Website listings
The website listing for your bungalow will have all the information prospective customers need to see about your property.
Our expert team will put together the best, eye-catching overview of your home to make it stand out from the crowd and sell as quickly as possible. We’ll promote your listing on our website, through our social channels, and on other property portals, including Rightmove, OnTheMarket and Zoopla.
The price point
When thinking about why bungalows are so expensive, it’s often due to the great amount of outdoor space, privacy, and the clever use of interior space. Pitching your property at the right price is crucial for getting a successful sale. Prices change across the country, as well as within local markets, so get a free, no-obligation valuation to find out exactly how much your property is worth on the market right now. You’ll need to make sure that your price reflects the local market, otherwise you won’t receive many viewings or offers.
Viewings
Once your property hits the market, interested buyers will want to view your home straight away, so it’s important to be ready for them to view your home.
Ensure your bungalow is clean and tidy throughout so that it looks and feels the best that it can. Walk around your house as if you were viewing it for the first time to see what stands out and what you notice. Also, make sure it smells nice. Some people brew fresh coffee or bake bread to give their bungalow a welcoming, homely smell.
Our agents will be ready to guide interested buyers around your home, and they’ll make sure they highlight its best features. They can also discuss the local housing market with viewers to show how yours sits within it. Our expert agents are in the best position to manage viewings as they can find out more about your potential buyers. Also, buyers may feel more comfortable asking estate agents questions about your home and the surrounding area. However, if you’d prefer to host your viewings that’s fine too.
Negotiation and offers
Once you start receiving offers, you’ll need to assess them as they come in. If the price is far below your asking price, you can simply reject it, make a counteroffer, or wait to see if you get more offers. Countering is a good opportunity to go back to the potential buyers and suggest a price you’d be willing to accept. If you have a lot of interested parties, you might end up in a bidding war, with the price going above the asking price.
Negotiating offers is where a trusted estate agent comes into their own. They’re the point of contact for all interested parties, and they’re best placed to ensure that you get the best offer for your property. This includes finding out about the potential buyer’s position; are they a first-time buyer (no chain), or are they already in a chain? If they’re in a chain, you’ll need to know how long the chain is, and how long it could take to complete your sale. These are all questions that your local Hunters estate agent will be an expert at, so you’ll have all the information you need to make your choice.
Once you’ve accepted an offer, your estate agent and your solicitor will get the wheels in motion on all the paperwork. Your sale won’t be legally binding until contracts are exchanged.
Final steps, completion and moving out
Your solicitor and the buyer’s solicitor will work on surveys, deeds, property searches etc. They’ll also negotiate an estimated exchange of contracts date and completion date with your buyers. This is the time for you to finalise your mortgage with your lender (if you need one) and provide your solicitor with documents such as safety certificates, and boiler service records etc.
When you exchange contracts, the buyer will pay an exchange deposit, which your solicitor will hold for you. After exchange, it’s much harder to pull out of a sale, and the buyer will lose money if they do.
The completion date will be set between you, but it can be anywhere between 7-28 days after exchange. Whilst you’re waiting to complete, it’s important to get everything ready, including packing up your property and booking your moving company or van. You’ll arrange the key exchange with your estate agent, who’ll manage this for you.
FAQs on selling a bungalow
What are the first steps to take when selling a bungalow?
Prepare your bungalow so that it’s in good condition for sale. Tidy up paintwork, make sure it has good kerb appeal and declutter busy rooms. Get quotes from traditional estate agents as well as online estate agents to compare their offers, and choose someone that you are experienced enough to sell your property.
How can I determine the right asking price for my bungalow?
Look at the local market and search for similar properties that are up for sale. Invite your local Hunters agent round to give you a free valuation so you know exactly how much your property is worth in today’s market. They’ll be able to show you similar properties that have sold recently, and how much they sold for.
Should I make renovations before selling, and if so, which ones?
Talk to an estate agent to find out exactly how much renovations would add to your sale price, and get some quotes for the work from different companies. Then have a detailed look at your finances to see if you could afford to do the planned renovations, and whether it’s worth doing financially. Also, bear in mind that it will mean selling at a much later date.
How important is home staging for selling a bungalow?
Staging your bungalow for selling will give you the best chance of getting a quick, successful sale, at the best price. Well-staged bungalows appeal to a wider audience and gain more interest. The listing pictures will catch the eye of potential buyers, which should result in more viewings and hopefully more offers too.
What are the most effective ways to market a bungalow?
Professional photography and videography go a long way to marketing your bungalow well. Professionals know how to sell your house by showing off its best angles and features so that it catches the eye of potential buyers. Talk to your local Hunters branch about how much goes into your property listing when we’re selling your bungalow and how we share this with interested buyers. Until we successfully sell your home, you won’t pay for any of our services.
How do I choose an estate agent experienced with bungalows?
Talk to your local estate agents and ask to see the details of bungalows they’ve sold recently. They should have a selection of listings to show you, and they can tell you the prices they managed to get for their customers.
If you’re thinking about selling your bungalow, then book a free, no-obligation property valuation with us now. We can advise you about what you might get for your property, as well as any improvements that could increase the value of your home. Get in touch with us now – we can’t wait to hear from you.
