Do you want to boost the attractiveness
of your home AND your asking price? Of course you
do - and you can!
Here's how to make your house stand out from the competition and how to achieve the best
price.
If you are thinking of selling your property, don’t ask the agent out a few days before you want to put the property on the market, do these initial five steps in advance of the agent coming around to value your property to give your home the best chance at maximising its value.
You’re putting
your house on the stage, in the spotlight… ‘On The Market’. Unless your
house looks appealing in photographs, it will struggle to attract the right
audience and may take longer to find a buyer.
1. Wake-up and Make-up. Get busy and do all those jobs that you
keep meaning to do; freshen up the paintwork, deep-clean the carpet, clear any
debris from the gutters and cut back sprawling trees which can obscure the house
and block out daylight.
2. Get Packing. You need to show how much space your
property has, and in particular how much work space is in the kitchen.
Put away personal items and family photographs. Add space where possible to
create family areas, such as turning a neglected dining room into a second
living room.
3. Cottons and Candles. Use high-end luxury brands to
accessorise. Invest in some new, fluffy white towels, crisp cotton
bedlinen and some luxury scented candles.
Remember, these items are ‘props’ used purely for viewings and best of
all, you can take them with you to your new house, and so they’re worth the
investment.
4. Docs and Deeds. You
can’t sell your house without the right documentation, such as any necessary
local authority planning consent certificates and title deeds. Don’t wait until your solicitor is on the
phone asking for them! Legal delays are frustrating and an unnecessary
delay on your part could result in your buyer changing their mind.
5. Money, Money, Money. Don’t go for the highest valuation. Think
twice before going with the agent who says your house is worth £20,000 more
than a rival firm suggests. If your house ends up staying on the market
for 6 months, then it will cost you money in the long run and it’s likely your future
dream house will be sold in the meantime.
Research has
shown the first four to six weeks are key for successful selling. Here are my next five tips for stress-free viewings;
6. Be ready. Be
available at short notice for viewings. Change your bedlinen and replace
the towels with your new, white, fluffy ones. If you’re in a hurry and
you have a spare duvet, keep the new cover on that and ‘hey presto’!
7. No distractions. Your buyers won’t want your dog jumping
up at them, no matter how much they say they love pets. Likewise, you’ll
be far more relaxed carrying out the viewing if your children aren’t following
you around or using the bathroom! Ask a friend to mind them for a while.
8. Light and airy. Freshen up your home and open a few
windows to let some fresh air in, especially if you have pets or are partial to
spicy foods. However, make sure the temperature is comfortable.
9. Shine on. There’s a reason why developer’s show
homes have table lamps switched on all day. Copy their tried and tested technique
to add warmth to every room. Make sure you light up the wood burner and
fill the log basket beside it. In the summer months, set the table
outdoors to suggest a great spot for easy entertaining.
10. It’s show time! Fill vases with fresh flowers or, if you
are rushed for time, some pretty greenery from your garden will look effective,
plump the cushions, put on some quiet relaxing music, remember why YOU first
fell in love with the house and smile…You’ve SO got this!
Call us to find out what you need to do now to
get your house sold in the coming months.
Lottie Crooke
Director, UPP Property
Stamford 01780 484 554
Rutland 01572 725 825
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