How to prepare your home for the market...

Many people do not understand that when selling their home it will be in competition with all the other similar properties which are also being offered for sale. It is therefore of very real importance that simple steps should be taken to ensure that the property is presented in a way that maximises appeal in the eyes of a prospective buyer.  These include… 

• Curb Appeal                                                                                                                          You cannot change a first impression and therefore great attention should be paid to the view of your home from the street. Stand at your gate and take a critical look… Is the gate in need of painting?  Is the driveway free of weeds?  Is the front garden tidy and well manicured with the lawn cut and the borders weeded? Would hanging baskets add a welcome dash of colour? Would the front door benefit from painting?

• De-Clutter Rooms that are filled to overflowing with clutter is the singly biggest issue which lowers the appeal of a property.  It makes the rooms seem smaller than they are; it makes them seem untidy and the abundance of personal knick knacks and photographs makes it impossible for potential buyers to visualise themselves living there.  You can choose to live surrounded by clutter but when you are selling you must go through each room with a fine tooth comb and declutter like mad.        Remove surplus items to the garage, loft or rented temporary storage facility.  Items that are no longer required can be removed to the ‘Rubbish Tip’ or a Charity Shop. Once you have acclimatised to feeling ‘naked’ you will be amazed at the difference this will make.

• Replace,  Repair & Clean. If your hall carpet is worn then just spend a few pounds having an inexpensive new carpet fitted. If some of your kitchen cupboards need repairing then have it done. Make sure your house is kept clean and tidy and windows spotless.

• Gardens  A potential buyer will be acquiring your gardens as well as the house so make sure that just as much attention is paid to the garden as it is to the interior accommodation. A shabby unkempt garden will be an immediate turn-off but a pretty garden will prove to be a huge attraction.

• Common Sense Not everyone likes pets so keep the barking dog in the car when a prospective buyer is viewing and remove the parrot’s cage from the kitchen work surface.

• It’s really just a matter of common sense. Take the simple steps necessary to maximise your home’s appeal.

The trouble is that we are too close to our own home and  therefore you really would be advised to seek an impartial opinion as to what you might do to increase your home's appeal to potential buyers. 

You don't have to employ a consultant... perhaps ask a friend or colleague to give you an HONEST opinion but then don't be offended or end a 25 year friendship because it is suggested that the dark green wallpaper in your lounge doesn't do the room any favours or that the garden looks more like a jungle than the kind of garden that would attract, rather than deter buyers.

The trouble is that most people think their home is the bees knees and that the first person to see it will swoon with delight and willingly agree to pay your asking price.

Get real, I often give my clients advice as to the relatively minor improvements they could make that I know will dramatically improve  their property's appeal but most people either live in a fool's paradise, hide their head in the sand or are to mean or stupid to see the sense in investing a few pounds and a few hours work to achieve perhaps £5000 or £10,000 more for their home.

The chances are that you probably will sell your home if you do not pay any attention to the points mentioned above BUT You will certainly achieve a higher price if you attend to these matters.

However, when in the 3rd month of their home being marketed they consider the fact that they have had a number of offers some £20,000 below the price they are seeking, it begins to dawn on Mr & Mrs seller that perhaps they listen to the advice of their estate agent who earns his living bu know what does and doesn't sell properties.

Better to invest a few hundred pounds to achieve a few thousand pounds... Is this Rocket Science?