We are often asked "what can I do to help me sell my home?" so please see below some suggestions which have often been successful in securing a sale.
First Impressions Count
Kerb appeal creates a lasting first impression – most buyers make up their minds in the first few minutes of arriving at a property
If you have front garden ensure that it is tidy. Maybe do a dump run if necessary
Cut grass and tidy plants
Tidy up the back garden too. Cut bushes back, clean the patio and furniture of lichen and dirt, and cut the grass. While this doesn’t add much value to your home it makes it more likely to sell as people visualise themselves using the garden
Fix and Clean
Clean, clean, clean everything until it sparkles
Have windows cleaned thoroughly inside and out
Clean and regrout showers and bathroom floor / wall tiles
Clean/ dust light fixtures
Install a new shower curtain, rod and hooks and maybe bath mats if needed
Make any minor repairs necessary – holes in walls, broken door knobs, cracked tiles, torn or threadbare carpets. Many buyers want to move in without making changes, so allow for this
Make it look Pretty
Make sure the windows are properly dressed with blinds or curtains as naked windows make a place feel impersonal and run down. Buy some cheap ones (e.g. from Ikea) if necessary
Plants and flowers bring colour, life and light to a room and also smell wonderful. So does that fruit bowl on your kitchen counter
Depersonalise
Remove most personal effects such fridge art (eg magnets, post-it notes) to make it easier for potential buyers to visualise themselves in your space.
Declutter
Less is more. Remove enough so that there is some empty space on shelves, in cupboards, and in closets. Remove excessive wall hangings, furniture and knick knacks
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
It will be easier for the buyers to move in and use the rooms immediately than if the walls were still bright pink or even black
Make your Home look Light & Airy
Wall mirrors make a room look much bigger and lighter. Consider putting some up, especially in smaller rooms or hallways
Clean windows inside and out, and replace any broken light bulbs. Making the place feel light and airy makes rooms feel bigger and the property more attractive
Ensure that you have lamps on in any dark corners
Putting a soft lamp in the bathroom can create a warm glow
The Right Smell
Bad smells are the single biggest turn off for prospective buyers. Don’t just cover them up, fix the source of the smell. Clear drains, wash bins, open windows, air the kitchen from old cooking smells, get rid of furniture that is embedded with cigarette smoke, and wash any grimy bed sheets
If you are a smoker, place bowls of vinegar around the house and leave out for three days. Though the vinegar will smell when you open the windows it will disappear quickly taking a most of the stale cigarette smell out with it
Conversely, good smells can make a property feel like an alluring home
If Possible Update the Kitchen if Needed
The kitchen is the most valuable room in a house. It is worth the most per square foot and can make the difference when buyers are unsure
Consider refacing your kitchen cabinetry. This is much cheaper than installing new cabinetry and often as effective
Upgrading kitchen countertops is expensive, but can add serious value
Declutter the surfaces and just leave a bowl of fruit out. Take out any bulky appliances
Consider upgrading the plumbing fixtures and white goods, but keep in mind that while that could make your property sell faster, you will be unlikely to recoup their full value
Conversions
If there are any obvious conversions – adapting the garage into extra rooms, or going up into the loft – and you have some spare cash, why not take advantage of this cash cow rather than letting the new owners make easy money out of improvements.
Significant home improvements are expensive, so it’s important to consider how your plans will add value to your home. Our recent research with the Federation of Master Builders and estate agents from the Guild of Property Professionals has identified 10 home improvements that also add value to your home.
If you don’t have enough spare cash to make the conversion, consider getting planning permission anyway
Storage
Its worth considering a storage unit temporarily if you want to make the most of the size of the property.
Please find links below with more advice.
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