There are lots of things to think about when you are planning to sell your house – things like the best time of year to put your property on the market, finding a local estate agent like this Gloucester estate agents who have good knowledge of the local property market, and making sure that you are in the right position financially to move house.
However, when it comes to actually selling your house, presentation is really important – here are some tips to help you present your home in a way that will appeal to buyers…
Make it Neutral – Whatever your taste is in interior design, it can be helpful to re-paint in neutral colours before you have people come and look around. People can then see it as a blank canvas that they can put their own stamp on.
Clear up Clutter – If the place is cluttered it may be making it look smaller. Now is the ideal time to get rid of things that you no longer need, and you also could put some items into storage to help free up some space so that people can see the property better.
Use Pleasant Scents – Bad smells can be really off putting to someone looking around your home, and they may think there is a problem in the property such as drainage issues or dampness. If you have pets, or are smokers, then there may also be smells lingering on fabrics in the home, so give everything a good clean and use air fresheners, reed diffusers and even do some baking to create pleasant scents.
Costly selling mistakes to avoid
Presentation is one of several areas where sellers can lose money. Your idea of clean and tidy may not match a buyer’s. Most buyers know a home will look different once the owner moves out, but a dirty or cluttered house makes it hard for them to picture themselves living there, and that is what leads to a good offer. Moving is a good excuse to declutter anyway.
Choose an estate agent who knows the local area and understands the market. If a buyer is undecided, the wrong agent can tip the balance against you, and a good one often has useful contacts such as surveyors and conveyancers. Be careful with renovations. Only spend money you know you can recoup on sale. A light, airy kitchen extension can add value, while paving over a garden or laying artificial grass can reduce it.
Finally, avoid overpricing. An ambitious asking price can put buyers off and make the home look stale, so you end up dropping the price anyway. Get several valuations and research local prices.
Getting the house ready for viewings
First impressions can make or break a sale, so prepare carefully before each viewing. Start by decluttering and depersonalising. Clear worktops, shelves and floors so buyers see a blank canvas and can picture their own things in the space.
Next, deep clean. A clean home looks well maintained, so wipe surfaces, vacuum, mop, clean the windows and remember the less visible places, such as behind appliances and inside cupboards, because buyers will look. Outside, mow the lawn, trim bushes, add a few flowers and repair visible damage such as cracked paths or chipped paint, so the entrance sets a welcoming tone.
Make sure your best features stand out, whether that is a fireplace, a large garden or a new kitchen. Deal with any odours at the source, from pets, cooking or damp, and use only gentle, neutral scents. Finally, create a welcoming atmosphere with soft lighting, comfortable furniture arrangements, perhaps quiet background music, and a glass of water for visitors.
