Top Tips for Selling Your Home

Fri 31 October 2014

Joanna Wall from the Church Stretton office runs through a list of the Top Ten things that she believes you should do to maximise your property's appeal to prospective purchasers.

 

1. Kerb Appeal – First impressions matter - stand outside the front of your property and be critical – does the gate need repairing? Does the path need clearing? Does the garden need weeding? Paint your front door, make sure your door bell works and put out some seasonal planters to create a welcome.

2. Spring Clean – Your home must sparkle! Clean it from top to bottom, inside and out including windows.  Pay special attention to kitchen and bathroom, they need to be inviting and hygienic. Make sure your home smells fresh too.  Pets, smoking and food can leave lingering odours so make sure your furniture and flooring are cleaned too.  Don’t think you can hide it all with an air fresher – it won’t work.

3. De-personalise – Potential buyers need to imagine themselves living in your property and making it their home so you need to remove your personality and make it a blank canvass. Box up personal items such as photos, ornaments and souvenirs and take posters down from children’s bedrooms.  

4. De-clutter – People see space and add value.  Clutter makes homes seem smaller and disorganised.  Put larger furniture into storage and get rid of the things you haven’t used or worn in the last two years.  Be brutal.  Clear surfaces in the kitchen and remember buyers always like to have a peep into cupboards so don’t just through everything inside and shut the door!

5. Fix it and freshen up – Do all those half-finished DIY jobs before you put the property on the market, a dripping tap and a cracked tile will send out the wrong message.  A fresh coat of paint or re-grouting tiles can work wonders for smartening up your homes as can ironing bed linen, subtle lighting and strategically place fresh flowers. 

6. Go Neutral – Neutral colours sell.  They may not be to your taste but have the broadest appeal and make rooms look bigger and brighter.  They also make it easier to imagine their own furniture in your property without the danger of clashing colour schemes.

7. Define Rooms – Convert rooms back to their original use.  Bedroom should have beds in them and dining rooms should have table and chairs.  Buyers need to know what each room is for so they can imagine their own belongings in them.

8. Don’t Overvalue -  It can be tempting to put your property on the market with the agents who promises the highest prices, this isn’t always the best decision, the asking price should be a figure which will encourage people to view – stand back from your property and ask yourself what price you would view it.

9. Be prepared for viewings – It’s not for ever but whilst your house is on the market you need to keep it clean and tidy.  Be ready for viewings at short notice and if possible leave pets and children with a friend.  Fresh flowers look good and smell nice too! Don’t forget to tidy the garden. 

10. Look Forward – Know which solicitors you are going to use for the conveyance and what items are going to be included in the sale to prevent any hold-ups once an offer has been accepted. It is also useful to know where you want to move to and keep a regular eye on the market in that area to identify what you can get for your money.

Joanna can be contacted on 01694 722288 or joanna.wall@mccartneys.co.uk if you would like any more advice on any of the above.

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