"You only get one chance to make a great first impression"

It's a question that we get asked a lot. What can I do to help my house sell?

Ultimately the answer will be different for each person, and we are always happy to give you our honest advice! We wanted to summarise our favourite, and most all-encompassing tips, that we have learned over the years - to help you make the most of your sale.

Interior

It's all about pleasing the senses.

• Less is more - decluttering is tough, but it can make your home feel twice the size.
• Ensure any features that first attracted you to the property are visible.
• Depersonalise, but don't go clinical - make your home less personal to encourage viewers to see themselves there.
• Let rooms clearly show their purpose - a bedroom as a study is fine, most people work from home to some degree.
• Hang up mirrors, especially in small areas like hallways, to add light and the illusion of space.
• Let natural light in - open those curtains, ensure blinds and shutters aren't hiding the lovely bay window.
• Smell - try to steer clear from a spicy curry the night before viewings. Let fresh air in. A reed diffuser can go a long way.

Should I redecorate? If your house is an eclectic mix of dark tones, it could deter buyers and it could be considered. Likewise, if you have an aspiring Monet or Picasso at home, who has kindly redecorated your walls with Crayola, it might be worthwhile giving the walls a fresh coat of a seasonal neutral or evergreen off-white.

Exterior

It's all about curb appeal - keep it neat and tidy.

• Mow the lawn - apart from it's visual appeal, a well maintained lawn tells potential buyers that you care about your home, and this will continue
• Cleaning your windows - let that natural light in to the house.
• Patios & driveways - get those pesky weeds removed, if it's really discoloured - consider getting the jet-wash out to bring it back to life.
• Front door - sand back peeling woodwork and give it a fresh coat of paint - if it's PVC, just wipe it down with a wet cloth.

Kitchens & Bathrooms

What about a new kitchen? Should I splash out on a sparkling new bathroom suite?

It can be tempting to attempt to go for a full refurbishment of your home, to maximise the sale price. Kitchens and bathrooms can be very personal and might not suit your potential purchaser. That's not to mention the headache of project managing the refit, whilst living without a functioning shower!

We find that even if you do 'get it right', the enhanced selling price that you achieve may only just cover the additional outlay that you have had incurred. Our advice is to use the above tips, and let the new owners do things their way once they move in. Most buyers are looking for a medium to long term home, and will happily update these, if the rest of their boxes are ticked!

So to summarise....

Every situation is different, every home is unique. A little can go a long way when looking to make the most of selling your home. We would love to hear from you if you are considering a move, and we can offer you individual advice tailored to you. Why not start with a valuation? Click here to see our available options.

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