Published: 01/10/2019
October is upon us and the countdown to Brexit has begun. If you're looking to sell your home before we leave the EU, the following list of 30 top tips may be of some use.
With housing sales estimated to increase from 1.1 million in 2019 to 1.3 million sale transactions in 2022, the housing market is due to get more competitive as sales increase, so it’s important to stay on top of your game when preparing to sell your home.
Moving house can be a lengthy and tiring process, so to make it a bit easier, Mount & Minster has compiled a list of 30 tips that will help you to attract more offers and aim to get your house sold within a month.
1. Fill in any drill holes to make your walls look smoother and save the buyer a job for when they move in.
2. Tidy up the garden, whether that’s mowing the lawn or removing weeds. The front garden is the first thing buyers see of your home, so create a good first impression.
3. Do a deep clean to ensure that potential buyers don’t come across cobwebs or dusty window sills.
4. Take down family photos from around your house for viewings. This makes it easier for buyers to imagine themselves in the house.
5. Paint your house using neutral shades. A bright room can be divisive and put buyers off if they think they’d have to repaint rooms themselves once moved in.
6. Give your skirting boards a lick of paint. A fresh white is always more appealing than a neglected off-yellow.
7. Clear the hallways or entrance space to make it appear larger. These are the first areas of the interior that a buyer will see, so it’s crucial they’re tidy.
8. Empty your storage spaces so buyers can see the full area without clutter and mess. Empty storage spaces make rooms look bigger and buyers can visualise where they would put their own possessions.
9. Declutter your home from knick-knacks and things that add noise to your rooms such as toys and magazines.
10. Clean the windows so they look sparkling new and give potential buyers a good first impression. Clean windows let in more natural light and make rooms look more appealing.
11. Add plants around your home as they’re proven to purify the air and improve mood.
12. Bake before a viewing to make buyers associate your house with a positive experience and amazing, homely smells.
13. Add splashes of yellow around the house as it is linked to positivity, confidence and enthusiasm.
14. Make your house name or number visible, so buyers can find and revisit it easily.
15. Repair any inbuilt drawers or cupboards so that the buyer won’t be put off by jobs they would potentially have to do if they moved in.
16. Get rid of bathroom limescale to make the room look cleaner and more attractive.
17. Update and showcase your kitchen as it is worth the most per square foot out of all the rooms in your house.
18. Add mirrors around the house, especially if it lacks natural light or is small, to give the illusion of a brighter, bigger space.
19. Keep your house at a warm temperature to ensure all buyers are comfortable. If it’s too hot or too cold they might be quicker to leave and have negative associations.
20. Get rid of bad smells before a viewing by having a good clean, adding some scented candles and freshening up furniture.
21. Make sure your pets are out of the way during viewings, just in case potential buyers don’t like or are allergic to cats or dogs. Also make sure to clean and remove all loose hair.
22. Dress your windows with blinds or curtains if they’re bare to make your house look more inviting.
23. Show off your selling point, whether it’s a feature wall or chaise lounge - highlight all of the areas you’re most proud of.
24. Paint your front door to make your house look inviting from the outside.
25. Make each room’s purpose obvious - if there’s a storage room filled with clutter it may be hard for potential buyers to imagine what they would use the room for.
26. Use lamps to make sure there aren’t any dark areas in your home.
27. Show off broadband speed, plug sockets and any other in-demand features your house boasts.
28. Make sure there is no evidence of damp or cracks in the walls and ceilings.
29. Fix any dodgy plumbing such as dripping taps.
30. Take your time showing around potential viewers, this way they can explore your home at their own pace in a relaxed atmosphere.
Selling a house can be a long and frustrating process, but if you use a few of these tips to refresh your home ahead of a viewing, you should have no problem gaining interest that leads to an offer. If you need bespoke advice, feel free to contact us on either 01522 716 204 or 01476 515 329.