A WELCOMING, TIDY HOME IS HALF THE BATTLE TO ACHIEVING A SALE
(By Michael Leslie)
Are you trying to sell your house or thinking of selling? The "for sale" board is in the garden and you're all ready for viewers but the question is, is your home ready? Is it properly prepared to make a good impression to any prospective purchasers? Here are a few ideas to bear in mind as you market your property or consider doing so in the future.
The first thing is to ensure there is always a warm welcome and plenty of "kerb appeal". First impressions are very important – a neglected garden, dishevelled paint on the window frames and walls or obvious structural problems are likely to put people off immediately. Vendors should make sure the outside of the property is neat and tidy and as welcoming as possible in order to turn "drive bys" into viewings.
The main thing with regard to the interior of the property is to ensure the property is clean and tidy when viewers arrive. While house hunters do not expect lived in properties to look like showhouses, they do not like to see masses of toys, papers, personal items or yesterday's unwashed dishes littering the house.
In our experience, kitchen and bathrooms in particular need to score high in terms of cleanliness. Simple things like replacing old shower curtains, putting out fresh towels and doing the washing up can make all the difference.
Décor is another important factor. Vendors should be advised to cover up bright splashes of colour and go for neutral shades like magnolia for walls and warm beiges for carpets. To add character, simply use accessories like flowers, pictures or candles that can easily be removed when the property is sold.
Another pointer to keep in mind is to ensure every room is the house serves a purpose and appears to be used as intended. If a buyer is looking for a 3 bedroom house, they need to be able to see 3 bedrooms – not one bedroom, a study and a junk room!
Vacant properties are traditionally more difficult to sell than occupied ones. If a house is vacant, potential buyers will struggle to imagine it furnished with their own items and therefore may find it difficult to see themselves being there. If a vendor is disposing of a vacant property, it is worth putting in some basic furniture and adding some accessories to create a homely atmosphere.
Ultimately it is our job as estate agents to sell your property but attention to items such as those mentioned above can greatly speed up the process of achieving an agreed sale. There is no doubt that a welcoming, tidy home is half the battle to achieving this.
