Tips for preparing your home for sale & viewing

Most of the tips below are common sense, as at the time, when you are thinking of selling, the stress levels rise.

How much are you prepared to take for it? How much budget to do you have to do any works which may need doing in order for you to get market value? What are the property prices around you and are the houses selling? Go around your home with fine tooth comb, and see all the things you said you would do, like fill the little cracks in the walls, paint the skirting boards. Ask a friend to do the same and compare lists, because this is what your viewers will be looking for to give them the option of offering you less. If you think you should repaint a room, do it, try keeping your ceilings white and walls cream. Give them a blank canvas. We all have different tastes, therefore if you painted a wall dark orange or black, think about toning it down and making it more neutral. Have you too much furniture in the room, try and put some into storage. The biggest key to selling your home is de-clutter. Kitchen work spaces should be free flowing, window sills sparse, bathrooms clear of 100's of bottles and wardrobes tidy. If you have a room thats small, place a large mirror on the wall, and give the feeling of space. Once you have attended to some of the above its time to take some photographs. Try and pick a clear bright day, take as many shots as you can, and then you can pick 10-12 of the best which represents your home - ask your friends opinion. If you have enough money in your budget,why not get a professional photographer in. One of the most important things is the wording, the description of your home, the sizes of the rooms and area. Draft it out, and ask friends their opinion, maybe you have missed something which could grasp you that sale.

 

Try and direct prospective buyers via the scenic route, make them feel relaxed before they arrive. On arrival at your front gates, make sure the weeds on the outside are pulled up and any litter removed. Your garden (if applicable) will be the first real image they will get, so ensure your lawns are mowed regularly, your beds are kept weed free and tidy. If you have a garage ensure you tidy it, de-clutter and make it look more spacious and your driveway swept and de-weeded. Your entrance door, make sure your door handle and knocker are polished and any glass sparkling. On entering your home you want your viewer to feel at home, one good tip is to have fresh coffee in the pot and some bread rolls in the oven, the smell gives that homely feeling. If you have a hat and coat stand make sure you only have one or two items on it, you need to make the entrance as clutter free as possible to give the sense of space. Always take them to the lounge first, and offer them coffee or tea, make them feel you have the time for them. Fresh flowers on the table or in the window, a few magazines on the coffee table, make them feel its a home not a show house. Make sure all your windows are sparkling, and if you have any curtains at the windows that they are tied back neatly to allow as much light into the rooms as possible. If its a dark and dull day, try and get your viewers to come as late as possible, therefore if you need to put some lights on they will understand. If you have pets, ensure that you hoover down furniture before they arrive and ensure that any odours are eradicated. If you have any washing on the line or on the maden, bring it and store in the washing machine until they have left.