With Spring starting to show its head, and the cold weather (hopefully) behind us, now is the perfect time to start preparing your property for sale this Spring if you intend to get it on the market.
Here’s some tops tips on how to make your home more appealing and get the best possible price for your property.
De-clutter
Have a spring clean! Clear out every room in the house, putting items that you no longer use to one side. Consider having a car boot sale to make some extra cash for items no longer used, or sell online via Facebook groups, Gumtree or EBay. Alternatively, you could donate it to local charity shops.
Spring clean!
With the lighter nights, viewers will notice more specifics in natural light such as grubby light switches, dirty windows or skirting boards. Take a damp cloth using cleaning products and wipe down any areas which are in view. Try to imagine as if you were walking into a house for the first time, what might you find off-putting? If you have carpets, it is a good idea to give them a shampoo to freshen them up. You can buy carpet shampoo machines for around £50 so if it’s something you’d use in the future; it might be worth the investment as shampooed carpets can make a room suddenly feel ten times fresher. If you don’t want to splash out on a carpet shampooer, you can also hire machines such as the ‘Rug Doctor’ from most large supermarket stores or B&Q.
Redecorate
If you have time before putting your property on the market, consider giving all rooms a fresh coat of paint, it can really freshen up a room. Apply neutral colours to add appeal and visually the space will look lighter, possibly more spacious and more appealing. Remember that viewers will want to picture the house as though it were theirs and try to visualise how they could make use of the space. Some viewers may find dark, bold colours off-putting.
Maximise Space
Make the most of your space. If you have a room that’s currently used as an office or a study, consider putting the office furniture into storage and set the room up as a third bedroom, especially if that is what you have marketed the property as (a three bed house).
Lighting
Consider replacing old light bulbs to ensure they give off the best light possible. If you have viewers in the evening, switch on lamps in dark rooms, even if it is still daylight outside. Light rooms can often give the perception of more space. Make sure any rooms with curtains or blinds have them wide open and curtains tied right back so that you let in as much natural daylight as possible, especially if you have nice views out the windows as this will add appeal. Leave windows slightly open for half an hour before viewings take place so that there are no lingering odours such as cooking smells.
Outdoor Space
If you have a lawn, give it its first cut. Tidy up flower beds, remove piles of dead leaves that may have gathered and consider planting spring plants such as tulips or daffodils. Trim back overgrown grass from edges of pathways and power wash slabbed areas which may have gone a bit green over the winter months. If you have children, move outdoor toys in a shed or garage while viewings are taking place or consider putting them into storage. Move wheelie bins out of sight and consider giving the front door a fresh lick of paint. Remember that first impressions count!
If you are thinking of selling your property and would like further help and advice on the next steps, do not hesitate to give us a call. A Home Report is one of the first things you will need to get before you can market your property for sale. We offer Home Reports in Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Lothian’s at competitive prices at a time convenient for you. We operate week days, weekends and evenings. Give us a call on 0131 608 0175 or email us at info@homereportcompany.co.uk
