Selling up - Getting your house in order

The initial impression that your home makes is long lasting. Concentrate on first impressions, as a well maintained exterior is an important part of showcasing your home. Paint your front door, tidy the garden and make the entrance area as welcoming as possible. If you live in an apartment, do your best to improve the communal areas. If they look unkept it will appear that the building is not well maintained.
 
You don't need to obsess over de-personalising your home, but if rooms are painted with strong/bright colours you should consider a quick coat of neutral paint.  When potential purchasers are viewing your house, they are trying to picture themselves living there, so if you minimise personal possessions and de-clutter you could maximise your sales price. 

We can recommend local handy men & painters to carry out some of those jobs that have been put on the long finger up until now. The first step is to choose an agent who is enthusiastic about selling your property and someone who will sell the positives of your home.

Here are some of the tips we would recommend: 

Who is your target market?

Who is going to purchase your property? When taking the first step towards selling your property quickly and painlessly, it is important to consider your target market. DNG Flanagan Ford can give you details of the buyer profile looking within your area and we can then tailor your space to appeal to this main group without alienating other potential buyers. An example would be if your property suited the profile of a young family, then we would suggest your office/ study to be turned back into a bedroom and make a space for a workstation elsewhere in the house. This will ensure that your house will appeal to the widest section of potential buyers.

De-Clutter and De-Personalise

Potential purchasers need to imagine themselves living in your house. One important aspect when getting your property ready for the market is to showcase as much counter surface space and floor space as possible. Put things you don't really use on a daily basis in the attic or in storage. Large pieces of furniture should also go into storage; this will make rooms feel more spacious. Key areas to focus on are: the hallway - clear away coats and any additional clutter; the bathroom - hide all your personal products; the kitchen - clear the counter surface of appliances, biscuit tins, pasta jars and remove old tea towels and overflowing bins.

Freshen Up

A fresh coat of neutral paint, new tiling or lino can do wonders to smarten up a tired-looking kitchen or bathroom. If you can't stretch to re-tiling the bathroom, re-grouting should bring it up as good as new. Check your ceilings for water stains (fix the problem & repaint). To a nervous buyer, a damp stain caused by a minor leak in the past suggests potential problems and can raise alarm bells to your target market. If you have a garden, it is now seen as an additional room, so be sure to make your garden feel like it is a great space for entertaining and relaxing.  Simple tips like mowing the lawn, keeping flower beds weed free and adding well stocked potted plants can make your outside space stand out from the crowd.

Clean Up

If you'd rather not re-decorate, it is still essential that your property is clean and smelling fresh before every viewing. Getting professional cleaners in at the start of your sales campaign can really make the place sparkle and will be money well-spent.  We can recommend local cleaners for this purpose.  A gleaming bathroom and kitchen are essential as buyers rate these as their most important rooms in the house. If you have pets make sure you air out the property prior to viewings. Use ‘plug-ins’, scented candles or fresh flowers for a clean, light scent.

Let there be light!

Open curtains and blinds for more light and while you’re at it, make sure windows are washed and curtains and blinds are clean and hung properly. In summer, natural light can create a wonderful atmosphere and give a feeling of freshness and cleanliness. In winter, make sure all the light bulbs are working and have lights switched on for viewings during the day. If you have a fireplace or a stove, have the fire lit as it will create a homely ambiance to your potential buyer.

Preparing for Viewings

Sweep up the entrance to your property, and make sure the front garden and entrance hall to your property are tidy and inviting. Leave any pets with a neighbour or friend, and thoroughly clean up any pet hair, as many people can be allergic.  Air out the house; and try not to smoke or cook spicy food before a viewing. Our agents will arrive early before a viewing to turn on the lights and the heating (if required). If you have a driveway, leave the space free for a potential buyer as this will add to the whole buying experience. If it is raining or snowing leave mats to the front and rear doors.