Tips in helping you sell your property

You may be surprised to hear that someone who is looking at your home to buy, may make the decision before they even enter your front door.

You might know what your target market is that you are trying to attract as you have lived there and know the neighborhood, schools etc. Imagine if you were buying this home, what would you want to see/make sure is up to scratch and reflects the asking price.

Someone doesn’t necessarily want to see how you live but wants to imagine themselves living there.

The biggest rule when selling your home is to make the mental decision to "let go" of your emotions and focus on the fact that soon this house will be someone else’s home.

First impressions count. Make an impact as quickly as possible as a quick sale is what you want, so why not create a superb impression allowing the prospective buyer dying to see more. Go outside and open your front door - stand there for a moment, do you want to go inside and see more? Does the house welcome you?

• Create a clear pathway by decluttering and moving away any laundry, children’s toys/bicycles as this will create space too!

• Move unsightly washing hanging to dry.

• Dead head any flowers, cut back borders and hedges and rake fallen leaves as well as mowing the lawn.

• Clear any animal excrement & animal toys away, (not everyone is an animal lover like you)

• Smarten up your doorway, does the paint look tired? Does the brass need a clean, is the doorbell hanging off. If the door is tired, your prospective purchaser may feel your home will be in the same condition.

• Move your bins to the side or back of the property as this will be unsightly as well as potentially creating unpleasant odours – perhaps hide with a plant.

• Make sure your house number or name is clear from debris or planting.

• Pressure hose any unsightly surfaces such as pathways, patio or decking as these may need some tender loving care after the winter.

• Declutter your garage – this is a great way of getting rid of your rubbish as you would not want to take it with you to your new home! A wonderful cathartic feeling of a fresh start.

• Use storage boxes to put all else away.

Arouse those Senses

Create an invitation for the eye to travel up the garden path - not only by sight but smell too.

• Add a bit of colour by planting some lavender borders or subtle positioning of garden pots.

• If your budget allows, add some window boxes or hanging baskets.

• Careful positioning of garden lighting (if visiting during the winter months) can create a wonderful atmosphere especially around a dining area outside. Up-lighters or down lighters near trees are a creative suggestion.

• Consider planting a beautiful scented Jasmine or Rose bush at the front of the door as this will probably get a mention.

Illusion of Space

Think about the items in each room in the house and whether they really need to be there.

• The entrance / hallway is the first room someone steps into, therefore tidy any unnecessary items which may look unsightly, as well as block the vision from any other room.

• You may have larger items which are not necessary to keep in the garden or home, this could give a much more spacious feel if they were removed (storage solutions if in doubt).

• Declutter the windowsills allowing more light in and making more space too.

• If the rooms are very small, why not add a large mirror to reflect existing light in the room, the illusion of space will be apparent. Reflecting a great view on the opposite wall to the window would be even better.

Utilise a spare room and make it purposeful

• Why not make your spare room into a play room! You could make it into a cosy snug/playroom for children where they do their homework.

• Carefully plan your existing rooms to suit the type of purchaser and ask yourself whether you do need three/four bedrooms? This could be the chance to make the spare bedroom into a stylish office for a family or professional couple.

Less is More

Try not to over complicate the room, people want to imagine themselves in this space.

• Remove children’s toys from rooms which are not relevant and place into their own rooms to be stored or tidied away, (same for pet’s toys – put away into cupboards or a storage box)

• Remove items such as computers/laptops with files and keep paperwork into the home office/study.

• Keep the utility area for functional use instead of storage (unless things are being stored out of sight in cupboards).

• Tidy the bathroom and kitchen accessories away – try not to over do the display, keep it clean, simple and fresh.

• Prospective purchasers will always have a peep in airing cupboards, kitchen cupboards, bedroom cupboards and drawers, so try to get rid any rubbish and clutter. This will give you a head start in packing and really help before your move.

• If you have items fixed as permanent features which you plan to take with you, such as window boxes or sentimental items – remove them in good time before the viewings start, then there will be no ambiguity when signing contracts (all saving time).

Work the Space

Position your furniture so there is harmony.

• Try not to block any doorways with items of furniture and let the house flow by allowing any potential purchaser to walk freely around the house without obstacles.

• Clear items blocking any view for example, patio doors into the garden – many people make the mistake in placing a sofa in front whilst obscuring the view through to the garden.

• If possible, add a small table and chairs into the kitchen area as this room is considered a vital room in the house for social events and family eating – people could be put off if there is nowhere to sit down and eat (especially, if the house is small)

• Where possible, utilise all cupboards and fill empty spaces with stylish storage solutions allowing more room for floor space whilst decluttering at the same time. Simple storage boxes could even add style to the room

Keep it Fresh

• Eradicate all potential bad odours such as animal smells, rubbish bins, cigarettes, toilets or takeaway foods. Disguise by perhaps adding soft and gentle scents to give a feeling of freshness (for example, subtle aromatherapy or room fragrances such as scented diffusers or candles).

• Add scented flowers around the house particularly in the hallway and main living area.

• On a hot day – open the windows for a fresh breeze and air flow throughout the property (unless near a busy road or where there is noise pollution).

• Adjust bedding to look smart and dress the beds.

• Place freshly folded towels in the bathroom for a crisp clean look.

Let there be Light

Consider the light aspect around the house and anything potentially blocking natural daylight out.

• Dark rooms can always appear oppressive, therefore, why not keep the colour scheme fresh and light using a neutral colour scheme. (Using dark, heavy, bold colours can make the room look even smaller)

• Make sure you do not use heavy net curtains blocking out the natural daylight. If necessary remove or change to a modern light voile. (Only remove voiles if you can – you may have too much passing traffic or an unsightly view).

• Make sure all light bulbs are working, are energy efficient and not too dull or not too bright. Have subtle use of lamps as an alternative to soften the look (especially if showing a prospective purchaser in the evening).

• Add some extra mirrors to allow natural light reflect from the main windows. This will also make the room appear much bigger.

• Cut or trim any overhanging shrubs or climbers around the windows allowing more natural daylight into the room.

• Clean all windows inside and out – this will definitely brighten up the rooms.

 Show the best room last

• Why not (if possible) save the best room until last? This could be the room that gets the viewer leaving with a wonderful feeling and wanting to come back for that second viewing - it could even be an extra outbuilding in the garden used as an office.

• Not only is the first impression important but you also want the viewer to have a lasting memory and potentially book a second viewing.