8 Tips and tricks to getting your house sale ready
For many of us the process of selling our home can be extremely stressful which is why most of us hope that a buyer is found nice and quickly. Whilst there are various factors affecting the amount of time it takes for the right buyer to put an offer in (many out of your control) you can make sure that your home is showcased so that prospective buyers see your home in its best possible light.
A good estate agent will not only be able to sell your home for you but also advise you on little fixes and what areas of your property could be highlighted. Ask your agent for their advice.
Showcasing your home can not only provide a faster sale but in some instances it can also add thousands of pounds to the value of the property. Here we share the essential showcasing tips to getting your house sale ready...
Make a positive first impression:
First impressions are incredibly important, ensure that the first impression prospective buyers get from your properties frontage is a positive one. Make sure your lawn is freshly cut and both the garden and drive are weed free. Shingle can be a great way to quickly tidy up a small garden.
If you haven’t done so for a while employ the services of a window cleaner to make sure your windows are sparkling!
De-clutter:
The period before your house goes on the market is the perfect time to have a good clear out and start putting some non essential items into storage; providing one less job for when the time to move actually comes!
Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time as it’s surprising how time consuming de-cluttering can be! We always recommend to our clients that they have a serious clear out and even hire a skip.
Minimise:
When a prospective buyer is viewing your home they will be trying to envisage how their furniture would look and how they could personalise the property to their own particular style. They want to see what space is on offer so try to replace large items with small, less bulky furniture, and clear larger items from the floor, for example take up any rugs you may have.
Another essential tip is clearing items from worktop areas as this helps to create the illusion of space.
Let there be light:
A bright and spacious room is much more appealing to a potential buyer so make sure any broken bulbs are replaced, if there are any dark corners consider putting a lamp there and put up some mirrors to make rooms appear more spacious.
Freshen Up:
While we wouldn’t recommend decorating your whole house it could be a good idea to freshen up areas which are looking a bit unloved. If you’ve been meaning to paint the bathroom or give the door frames a touch up then it’s well worth doing before your property goes on the market.
Additionally if there are any quick fixes such holes in walls that could be filled, loose fixtures or unsightly grout then make sure they are done.
Ultimately if it’s something that you are aware needs doing then it is something the prospective buyer is also likely to notice.
Neutralise:
You may love your patterned wallpaper and chandelier however bold colours and accessories can totally transform a room and in some cases put people off a property. Try and keep things light and neutral.
Spruce it up:
Finishes touches such as flowers and plants can make a property look more attractive and feel more homely so try to make sure there are a few dotted around your house before any viewings.
Smells can be incredibly off putting to a potential buyer so make sure that carpets are given a steam clean and that toilet and drains are bleached. Try to avoid cooking any particularly strong smelling foods such as fish or garlic dishes before you have a viewing. On the day itself we would recommend using scented candles or odour neutralisers.
While not all of these tips may not be relevant to your situation we hope you have found some of these tips useful and they help speed up the process of selling your home.