The chances are that when you decide to sell your home, you’ll want to do so quickly but for the best price. This means that you need everything in your favour, so here are our top ten tips to make your property stand out from the crowd.
1 Give a great first impression
You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression, and your potential buyers will often make up their mind within a few moments of seeing your home. For example, it’s worth investing in a professional window cleaner to freshen up the windows and sills, and to make a point of replacing anything that looks slightly worn or dated.
2 Tidy up your outside space
Your kitchen will have a big impact on your buyers, but so will your garden as that’s where they’ll be hoping to spend a lot of their leisure time. Cutting the lawn, blitzing the weeds and planting some colourful flowerbeds will bring the garden to life, as will removing any old pots, etc. If you have a shed or greenhouse, make sure they’re neat and tidy.
3 Think micro
Buyers have an uncanny knack of spotting the smallest details and they’ll be casting a critical eye, so spend some time cleaning every room as that can have a big impact on the decision to have a second viewing or make an offer. Cobwebs are a definite no-no, for example.
4 Do some DIY
While you might be a dab hand at all those little jobs around the house, make sure you haven’t missed anything as your buyers may not be so keen. A blown bulb, a squeaky door or a dripping tap might grab their attention and cause them to wonder whether there are other things within the property that they’ll need to have fixed.
5 Banish the clutter
Whatever your favourite hobby or pastime, present your buyers with as much of a blank canvas as you can. They’ll want to imagine their own possessions in situ, so try to go minimal on furniture and ornaments to make the space look larger. They may also want to check out your fitted cupboards and wardrobes so avoid making your rooms look sparse by filling your storage with clutter.
6 Sell the lifestyle as well as the property
Clearly the physical aspect of the property will a key deciding factor, but it’s helpful to emphasise the potential lifestyle that will go with it. If you have a conservatory or snug, show how that area can be used by different members of the family, and consider setting the dining table to reinforce that this is where everyone can eat together. Fresh flowers can also be a powerful selling tool.
7 Remember the bathrooms
Your bathrooms will create a lasting impression on your potential buyers – in all likelihood more so than any other room apart from your kitchen. So keep them clean and add a welcoming fragrance as buyers will then embrace the whole ambience.
8 Keep the property’s character
While buyers might be turned off by cluttered spaces, try to avoid losing all your home’s identity. You can play safe with a neutral palette but add a few colourful accessories to give the space some personality. You’ll also find it easier to enthuse about your home if it remains somewhere you’d like to live.
9 Engage your pets
If you have a pet, they can work in your favour, but only if they’re clean and well behaved. If you’re unsure of your dog, for example, see whether someone can take them for a walk during your viewings, just in case the buyers aren’t dog people. Clean up their food area and nullify any pet-related smells where you can.
10 Highlight the potential for extra space
Finally, if you feel that your buyers might be looking for additional square footage, suggest ways in which this could be achieved. This might be by adding an extension, a garden room or a conservatory, or even converting the loft.
Ultimately, selling your home relies on a number of factors aligning – such as the location, size and price, for example – but we believe that following our top ten tips will give you the best possible chance of securing an offer.
If you’re thinking of putting your property on the market, why not contact us to request a free valuation?