First impressions
“Kerb appeal” is the fashionable expression. If your potential buyers get a good feeling when pulling up outside the property you’re off to a flying start.
Keep your front garden neat and tidy and make sure the path to the door is clear of rubbish and weed free. Give your front door a wipe down and, if it needs it, get out the gloss and give it a lick of paint.
Window boxes and hanging baskets add colour and make a property look homely. From inside the house a window box can enhance the outlook and increase privacy where a property is overlooked.
Communal areas
If you live in a flat, check that all communal areas are clean. Remove any junk mail, check all the light bulbs work and make sure bikes and general clutter are removed.
Kitchen and bathrooms
For a fresh new look in the kitchen straighten up the cupboard doors and replace missing handles. Invest in some new accessories that you can take with you to your new home but don’t clutter up the worktops.
Paint tired tiling white with tile paint. If you have a dated bath think about getting it re-coated to white. The process can be done with the minimum of inconvenience on on site and needn’t cost a fortune.
Get cleaning and make sure your bathroom and kitchen in particular are pristinely clean and remember to put the loo seat and lid down.
Living rooms and bedrooms
Nothing makes a room look smaller than stacks of old videos and cd’s, piles of books, papers and clothes all over the floor. Box and store everything you can including your “treasured but quirky” ornaments.
If the walls of children’s bedrooms are covered in posters remove some to create a greater sense of space. Invest in stacking boxes with lids that can be used as a quick tidy solution before viewers arrive.
General presentation
Cover dated or worn sofas and chairs with large throws in a neutral colour so that they aren't the main focus of the room, use scatter cushions to brighten things up and buy some matching bed linen.
One investment worth considering is new carpets where the existing ones really are desperate. New neutral coloured carpeting can fill a room with a feeling of freshness and being cared for. Even if only in one prominent room it can give an idea of what can be done throughout the property.
If you have a very bright colour scheme inside your house then think about painting it light and neutral, buyers do prefer it!
In a small room a long narrow mirror hung at chest height horizontally across the length of a wall will help to make it feel bigger and lighter. Painting the room cream or white and using blinds instead of curtains will also help to create a sense of space.
Creating an atmosphere
Fresh flowers brighten up a room and create a good impression.Give your house a good airing to get rid of stale smells from cooking, smoking or pets. At likely viewing times make sure the heating is on well in advance to to make sure the house feels warm and cosy.
Clean your windows inside and out to let maximum light into the house for daytime viewers. For night-time visits use side lights to create a warm and inviting feel in living rooms and bedrooms.
Think hotel style. Fluffy coordinating bath towels will add instant appeal and you even get to use them when you move home
<<< Back
