Whether you have owned your property for nine months or nine hundred years, there comes a time when everyone wants to consider the possibility of selling their precious assets.

If you are a property owner and are considering putting it on to the international market, you might like to contact Bill Thomson in Italy to discuss the potential sale in complete confidence. If appropriate we can prepare a tailor-made marketing campaign, organise professional photography and launch the property onto the market using the Knight Frank web site www.knightfrank.com. We can often achieve press coverage in international and local property magazines to help promote the sale.

TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR SELLING

Take the time to establish which is the most suitable agency for your property as you will find that some are better than others at different types of property and above all better or worse in different regions. Don't give your house for sale to an agent who has to drive two hours for each viewing, because you won't get any!

Talk to the agency about their strengths and weaknesses. Try and understand how many houses they have sold in your area in the last year and at what value. Understand what percentage of the sale price they will charge you to handle the sale and what they will do for you for that money. Do not fall for the old trick of agencies charging you an initial fee to promote your property, as it is a scam. Talk to them about the appropriateness of an exclusive mandate for the sale, and whether this makes it cheaper for you.

Keep the property in a presentable condition where possible and please ensure that you have all of the correct certifications in place prior to going to the market. Nothing is worse than finding a buyer for a house that turns out to be unsaleable for two years while planning permits are obtained.

For viewings always ensure the house is opened in advance and looking appealing. Try not to leave barking dogs and children's toys in the drive, make the beds and do the washing up!