Preparing your home for viewings is a bit of an art form – whether you go full Marie Kondo or only have time for the bare minimum, it’s surprising how the little things can make a huge difference to the appeal of your property to prospective buyers.
Here are a few quick tips to help you make that sale in record time:
First impressions count:
Think about the first thing prospective buyers will see as they pull up to your property. Wheelie bins? Recycling boxes? An overgrown front yard? Closed curtains and dirty windows? For a maximum impact first impression, clear up the front of your home as much as possible; it doesn’t take much to move any bins around the side or back, do a bit of weeding or sweep the path, and book in the window cleaner for a quick polish up.
You might even want to park your car elsewhere if you have a driveway – although you might think it makes sense to show off your parking space, it makes sense for buyers to see the whole property without any obstacles. And, if you have a little extra time and money, think about how else to boost that curb appeal: repaint your front door, replace old, worn out guttering and fascias, or add a few window boxes or statement pot plants to invite prospective buyers to your home.
Welcome them in…
Following on from the front of you home, consider the next thing they’re confronted with: the hall or entrance way – often overlooked but equally important in cementing a positive first impression. If your hallway is cluttered with coats, shoes and bags, your buyers will be tripping over before they even get to the main rooms of the house. Declutter as much as possible and offer a clear path into your home. If you have a shared entrance, ask your neighbours politely if you can clear (and maybe clean) the hallway ahead of viewings.
A place for everything and everything in its place:
It might sound obvious but try to show off each room to the best of its ability and minimise clutter and extraneous ‘stuff’ that doesn’t belong. Put your laundry and washing up away, show off as much space and storage as possible, make your beds, keep the floors clear, and remove any excess furniture. Prospective buyers want to be able to imagine their own things in your space, which probably means clearing out some of yours!
Don’t forget outside space:
Even the tiniest back yard can be an asset during a viewing. You may not have the money or time to landscape your garden, but keeping it tidy, manageable, and attractive needn’t be a huge effort. Inexpensive touches can really show off the potential of any outdoor area – simple seating, a few potted plants, perhaps some outdoor lights, and suddenly you have a little garden haven.
The little things make a big difference:
Don’t put off buyers before they’ve even stepped through the front door. Prepare your home for viewings with the tips above and maximise the chance of a sale. Or, if you have the resources, check out the most effective changes you can make to really boost the value of your property. And for more advice on property and conveyancing, and to get your home on the market, get in touch with our expert property solicitors at Frances Lindsay & Co.
Tags: property