Howards Top Selling Tips

Curb appeal

They say you can only make one "first impression" and people usually form their first impression within 30 seconds. The front of your house is a good place to spend a little extra time and money. Realise the maximum potential of your property. Plant flowers, trim bushes, weed, pick up leaves, repaint your front door, replace tarnished house numbers or a dented mailbox, get a brand-new doormat, park your old car somewhere else.

Clean

Your home must sparkle! Spring Clean your house from top to bottom before putting on the market or consider getting Industrial cleaners in to really make your home sparkle will be money well-spent: have the carpets, sofas oven and windows cleaned. Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms which need to be inviting and hygienic, freshen up with a new toilet seat, fresh white towels and a strategically placed plant or two. The garden is now seen as an additional room so be sure to make your garden feel like a great space for entertaining and relaxing.

Fix

Finish off any small DIY jobs, touch up chipped woodwork, replace washers on a dripping tap or a cracked tiles etc... These will send the wrong message to potential buyers. Getting all problems fixed before you put your house on the market is a smart idea to improve both value and sell ability.

Eliminate Clutter & De-Personalise

This may be the hardest rule of all! We love our clutter - it reflects our memories, hobbies and values but were afraid it doesn’t sell homes, potential buyers need to imagine themselves living in your home so put away those ornaments, photos and especially posters in kids rooms. Put things you don’t need on a daily basis in the attic or storage facility for those large items of furniture which when cleared will make your rooms seem far bigger. Clutter makes homes seem smaller and disorganized, focus on the hallway, clear away coats and clutter, in the bathroom hide away all those much needed products and in the kitchen clear the work surfaces of non essentials and replace any raggy tea towels or smelly bins. Even the ancient practice of Feng Shui has, as a central focus, the elimination of clutter bringing inner calm and tranquility in the home.

Neutralise

A fresh coat of neutral paint, neutral colours sell. It's a fact. Try to convey an image of quality and neutrality. Potential buyers walking through your home want to imagine themselves as the owners. If you use styles or colours they would never select, you've just turned them off. Stay high-quality, but neutral is safest. Re-grout old bathroom tiling, if possible replace or paint old worn doors and kitchen cupboards. Replace any broken light bulbs, remove any heavy drapes and strategically place fresh flowers throughout before a viewing.

Define each area

Buyer need to know what each room is for, so that they can decide where they will place their own items. Sell the lifestyle and you'll sell your house.

Lighting

Make sure you have adequate lighting in every room, use subtle mood lighting to create the right atmosphere in each room.

Accessories

By using the right accessories, you can enhance your rooms and create a feeling of unity by using harmonious colours. Use mirrors to reflect light and space, use plants and fresh flowers to bring life to rooms and add natural fragrance and of course not forgetting the strategic bowl of fruit.

Bedrooms

Never underestimate the importance of bedrooms; it's the reason 60% of people move home. A bedroom adds more value than a study or storeroom, so make sure every bedroom has a bed and that bed linen is fresh and ironed.

Concentrate on the master bedroom

Its adult buyers who pay for the property so impress them with new bedding and curtains. Look at the layout, buyers must be able to walk around the bed or they think the room is too small.

Pets

Always keep your pets under control. Try confining them to a specific area or ask friends or family to pet sit whilst viewings take place. Although we love our pets, they can be off-putting to other people and smells can be offensive, so make sure there are no lingering odours in furniture or flooring and if there is, get them cleaned before you sell.

Lose the lodger

Loads of people have them, but you're moving anyway, so give them their marching orders (or at least ensure they are out ) make sure and tidy their room do not leave it to them.

If you need to re-tile bathroom or kitchen

Why not tile over the existing tiles? By using the right adhesive, it will allow you to tile onto a flat surface and you won’t have to worry about repairing the wall after the old tiles have been removed.

Loads of rubbish to get rid of?

Old toys, carpet, even furniture all needs to be disposed of, but by doing a deal with your neighbors you can share a skip and share the price.

Know all you can about your home

Homebuyer packs are now a thing of the past but it would be a great idea to have small pack ready for your viewers to check, full of information about when the wiring was changed, the boiler was serviced and when the double glazing was done (ensure you comply with the new FENSA laws). If you live in an old house, know your history, buyer love it.

Most properties have a good and bad side to them

So don't show people the bad view or even comment on it, show them the views from the good side of your house. Not prepared to drop the asking price? Remember, buyers will only pay what they perceive your house to be worth. If your house is not presented at its best, then people will not buy.

Period properties

Should show period features. Restoring fireplaces and period features such as ceiling roses and cornices can add thousands to a period home. Try replacing things that have been removed, you can use reproduction as long as its good quality and when re-opening fireplaces, you will never know what you might find.

Extra Viewing Day Tips

Avoid strong food odours, don’t cook food such as fish or curry before a viewing as the smell will linger even if you can’t smell it yourself!

The smell of freshly baked bread or fresh coffee provides a welcome, warm feeling to your home.

Most of all if you are showing viewers your home, relax, make them feel comfortable, offer them a coffee, do not rush them and ask them if they require any further information about bills or local amenities.