‘Steady as she goes’ for 2017 advises Butler Sherborn

• Sensible pricing and being well prepared - the key to ensure a swift, smooth sale this year

• Four great Cotswold properties from £395,000 to £2.55 million

“As we head into 2017, the property market is no different from any other sector.

There is inevitable uncertainty surrounding Brexit and things are going to be difficult to call, politically and economically,” says Sam Butler of Butler Sherborn, “but whatever happens, life goes on.

“The availability of good quality properties for sale will remain restricted - although we did see this beginning to ease towards the end of 2016 and into 2017, and people will remain disinclined to pay more stamp duty than necessary. This will keep the focus on properties under the £1.5million threshold, and especially those up to £925,000.

“Some people will want to sell their home, either to move up to something larger for their growing family, downsize, or move to another part of the country for whatever reason, so being sensible on pricing and well prepared is the best advice we can offer clients to ensure a swift, smooth sale.”

Here are Sam’s seven ‘top tips’ for selling property successfully this year:

• Prices are unlikely to rise by much, if at all, so sensible pricing is essential if you want to attract a keen buyer and secure a sale. Buyers will have done their homework and know if your property is priced to sell, or priced to speculate!

• Encourage viewings by making your home attractive; get any decorating completed to make the house look homely and ready to move into.

• Tidy up the garden - remove the discarded Christmas tree, sweep up any remaining autumn leaves, clear moss from roofs and paths, take down the washing rotary, hide the bins and store the garden furniture out of sight.

• Tidy the kitchen ahead of viewings - no one wants to see what you had for breakfast, and keep cats and dogs under control and not upstairs in bedrooms - not everyone is a pet lover.

• Ensure the lights and heating are on to make everything warm and welcoming.

• Make sure prospective buyers can park and leave the driveway safely and easily.

• Get all your paperwork completed, and if there are any outstanding legal matters, planning issues or neighbourhood disputes, ensure these are resolved.

Meanwhile, Butler Sherborn is looking ahead, and to assist buyers and sellers, has invested in a new website - butlersherborn.co.uk

The fresh looking site is designed to make locating Cotswold properties easier, while also providing full information about all the company’s departments including Residential & Land Sales, Lettings, Rural Management, Valuations, Equestrian and Renewables & Energy.