We've all seen TV programmes which tell us how to stage our home for sale but doing it in real life can prove difficult. If you've been in your home for years you will have no doubt accumulated many belongings. It can be hard to decide which items are critical but one rule of thumb is that if you haven't seen or used an item for over a year - you don't need it.
It may sound simplistic but de-cluttering is one of the most essential jobs to do before putting your home on the market. Cluttered rooms look smaller and often buyers can't imagine how the room would look if it was clutter free. More space equates to a higher selling price. So sell, give away, or donate unwanted items, only keeping the things that you use or are too precious to throw away.
Again it may seem simplistic but making sure your home is clean is a very important task to carry out before potential buyers step through the door. When you've lived in a property for a while you become accustomed to your surroundings and may not notice that the house smells of pets, the window sills are a bit grimy or the toilet bowl has seen better days. Viewers often look inside ovens especially when viewing with an agent, so a thorough clean of your oven should avoid any critisism. A sweet smelling home is essential and there are many ways of achieving this.
It's also a good idea to bring a trusted friend in and ask if there is anything that needs attention. You may not have noticed that the bath sealant is peeling, or that there is a stain on the stairs carpet or even a small hole in the kitchen lino. It is amazing what we overlook when we are familiar with our surroundings. However, you can be sure that any prospective purchaser will, more than likely, notice any small imperfections and might adjust their offer accordingly or even dismiss your home completely. So it is better to put a bit of effort and elbow grease in at the start to avoid putting buyers off.
If you choose to decorate before selling, which is beneficial to any sale, be sure to keep the colours neutral to appeal to the widest spectrum of buyers as possible and give your home a brighter look and more appeal.
Make sure your outside buildings, areas and gardens are clean and tidy too. Get rid of all rubbish and take care to make sure your outside living space looks attractive e.g. invest in hanging baskets, weed the garden, mow lawns and maybe invest in garden furniture. An attractive outside area can act as another room, especially in summer. You'll find that some viewers will drive past your home before booking a viewing, so try to give your house kerb appeal. Make sure your windows are clean, that the doors and window frames look smart, and are free of peeling paint. Gutters should be unblocked and refuse bins put out of sight or if not possible, hosed down. The addition of potted plants next to your front door can help to create a welcoming atmosphere. A lick of paint on a tired wooden gate doesn't hurt!
Select a good estate agent or sell with AllTheProperties and our chosen Premier Estate Agent who will work with us to maximise your price. You get to enjoy the huge benefit of what we believe is a world beating unique combination of services.
Of course selecting such an estate agent with extensive knowledge of your local area is very important. They will be able to guide you on the asking price and what you are likely to achieve once your property is on the market. An estate agent will also tell you about the sort of buyer you should be aiming to attract e.g. first time buyer etc.
Sell with AllTheProperties and our chosen premier estate agentHigh quality photographs are really important as they could be the first view most buyers will see when online. We all know that first impressions are important, so make sure you make the most of yours. Of course if your rooms are clutter free, clean and dressed for purpose, your home is likely to attract far more viewers and a better price. It is after all probably one of the most valuable assets you will ever sell so it's worth the effort.
