Top tips to get you and your home ready to sell
If you're thinking about selling your home soon, perhaps in the new year, why not use these few months to prepare your home. Making your home more saleable will maximise the price that you can achieve. Read this article for tips on how to do this without it costing you a fortune.
When you put your home on the market for sale, you set a guide price and leave the estate agents to work their magic. You wait for viewing appointments, hoping the viewers like your property and make an offer. But is the marketing price set in stone, or is there anything you could do before coming to the market to achieve the best price?
Of course, many factors need to be considered when valuing a property for sale. Many of them are largely out of your control, such as economic factors and the appetite for buyers at the time. But there are some things that you can do to make your property as appealing as possible to buyers and push those extra few pounds onto the price.
Kerb Appeal: Starting with the external appearance of your property, this is where the first impression will be made, not just when the viewers turn up for their appointment but long before that when prospective buyers scroll through the property websites.
Declutter: A cluttered house will feel small, and whilst the advice is not to fully depersonalise your home anymore, it is essential to clear the decks wherever necessary. Of course, clear surfaces of rubbish, but if you don't need to get rid of all your belongings. Simply start packing for the move early and store those boxes of things you will not need in the next few months away in the loft or garage.
Lick of paint: Whether a total refresh or just touching up, ensure your paintwork is in good order and aim for neutral or tasteful styles.
Repairs: When a viewer comes to see your property, they will be highly critical and pick up on every tiny detail. Whether it's a broken garden gate or a loose door handle, you should try to get these little repairs dealt with so that the overall impression of your property is good and not that there is lots of work to be done.
Kitchens: The kitchen is the most valuable room of a property and one that can make or break a sale. There is no need to install a brand new kitchen to sell your house, but perhaps a little spruce up would be good?
Light and airy: A light and bright home will feel more spacious, which is what most of us are looking for. After all, no one wants to live in a dark and dingy home, do they? But all homes will have a room or corner that is a little darker than the rest, so illuminate these with lamps and other lighting solutions.
Smells: Bad smells can be a huge turn-off for buyers. Empty bins and open windows to air the property before a viewing. Light some scented candles, or place air fresheners or diffusers to set the scene with the perfect scent to make sure that the viewers love your home.
Viewings: Finally, look at how to conduct the perfect viewing. All of this work ensures that viewers fall in love with your home when they come to see it, but little thought is given to the appointment itself. Generally speaking, estate agents begin a viewing with a guided walk-through of the property, showing the best features and then allowing a few minutes for the viewers to see the property on their own, culminating in a debrief in the best room of the house. This leaves a lasting impression as the best part of the property, so whether that is a really nice room or a lovely view, make sure you end the appointment here.
It is possible to do these minor tweaks to your property without spending a fortune, and it could significantly impact the saleability and ultimate price that you achieve for your property. Crucially, though, don't let this be a form of procrastination, getting bogged down in these tasks and delaying your move. Make a quick plan for sprucing up your property and action it so you are not waiting forever.
If you would like to get the ball rolling and start on your journey to your dream home, get in touch with our team of property experts today.