Preparation is key when you are about to put your house onto the market as you want to get the most value out of your home for a quick sale. Here are our top 10 tips to help you get there!
1. Declutter – but don’t depersonalise
Get rid of the items that have accumulated over the years. Put them in storage, sell them, give them away or throw them away. People need to be able to envisage what the property would look like if they were living there and can often find this difficult, so make it easy for them to see all the fantastic living space you’re offering them.
2. A fresh lick of paint
Giving your walls a fresh lick of neutral paint will make your home seem lighter and bigger. It will enable the viewers to more easily imagine how they would adapt the rooms to their needs. Keep it light and airy so it your buyers can feel that they can move in straight away.
3. Maximise kerb appeal
Kerb appeal creates a lasting first impression – most buyers make up their minds in the first few minutes of arriving at a property. Make sure that your driveway is clear, your windows clean and your roof and garden are well maintained.
4. Fix and clean
Clean everything until it sparkles. Make any minor repairs e.g. holes in the walls which need filling, or change of door handles on your kitchen cupboards to modernise it a little. Get rid of odours and hang up fresh towels. This will make the place more appealing and allow viewers to imagine living there.
5. Update
Try to update your spaces by adding simple pictures/photos on your walls. Add a few cushions which match and it can make your rooms look brand new. You may want to consider new kitchen counter tops or even a new kitchen tap to also make it look modern. Little things can make all the difference.
6.Light and airy
Wall mirrors make a room look much bigger and lighter. Consider putting some up, especially in smaller rooms or hallways. Ensure that you have lamps on in any dark corners, this will keep a light flow throughout.
7. Make it look pretty
Make sure the windows are properly dressed with blinds or curtains as naked windows don’t help make it feel homely.
Plants and flowers bring in colour which is perfect now that you have transformed your home into a light and airy space. If you were to add a piece of art above an original fire place or even on a main wall it can give your room a pop of colour without it being excessive.
8. Get the right smells
Bad smells are the single biggest turn off for prospective buyers. Don’t just cover them up. Clear drains, wash bins, open windows, air the kitchen from old cooking smells. Get the coffee on!
A tip for if you’re a smoker; place bowls of vinegar in the corners of your room and it will help neutralise the smell of smoke.
9. Pets
We love animals more than humans at times. But not everyone feels the same way. Play down your beloved pets a little. What we mean by that is tidy their toys away, be mindful of the cat litter for example. Don’t worry about your pets being home on viewings as it’s their home too. But it’s just to cater to all.
10. Get a quality estate agent who also works well with your Mortgage broker
When you are ready to put your house on the market, the best way to see if your prospective estate agent is of a high standard is to ring them as if you were interested in one of their listings. You will be able to gauge the kind of service your potential buyers will receive. Look over their photography skills by looking at their current listings too.
We have found that if your Mortgage Broker has a good relationship with your estate agent you will receive a fantastic, joined-up service throughout.
Remember too that this is about cost and not value, the cheapest option isn’t always the best.
And that’s it!
Good luck and enjoy the move to your new home.
