January can be one of the best times of year to sell your property, so here’s our list of top tips to ensure your home stands out from the crowd and help you get the best possible price from your sale.
Clearing Away from Christmas
Now that we are in the second week of January, make sure that there are no traces of Christmas. Get the Christmas tree down and store away your decorations. Don’t forget to take down cards and left over decorative tinsel. If you are selling your property in January, viewers want to know that have made the effort to make your home look presentable for sale as it can reflect the overall care and pride you take in looking after your home.
It’s Cold Out, Make Your Property Cosy
Evenings are still dark relatively early and it’s so cold, that people want to stay indoors in January, so by adding a few cosy touches ahead of viewings, it can significantly add appeal. If you’re out at work during the day, set a timer so that the heating comes on an hour or so ahead of when viewers are likely to arrive. If you have stone or laminate flooring, consider placing a rug down to portray the feeling of warmth. If you have a real, or attractive electric fire, light it prior to viewings.
Be a Warm, Welcoming Host
Consider offering viewers with a tea or coffee once they are inside your home as they’ll have come in out of the cold. It will help create the feel that your property is a warm, cosy place to be during the colder months.
Tidy the Garden
Although January isn’t the typically gardening season and your lawn may be looking a bit drab, there’s a few things you can do to add welcoming appeal. If you have an entrance porch or patio area, consider adding some attractive lanterns to create the feeling of warmth. Hang up some bird feeders in the most immediately visible area of the garden to distract eyes from the withered flower beds. Sweep away any piles of dead leaves and hide wheelie bins out of sight.
Create The illusion of Space and Light
Declutter your house ahead of viewings to create the illusion of space. Consider adding a large mirror in the entrance hall to create the feeling of space and light. Change old lightbulbs – it’s amazing how much lighter they will give off. Add extra lamps in dark rooms to ensure light creates atmosphere and makes the appearance of rooms look bigger and light despite it being dark outside.
Fresh Lick of Paint
It’s amazing the difference a fresh lick of paint can make to brighten up rooms. Try to use neutral light colours to create the illusion of light and space, it will make rooms look more spacious. By using white or light colours, it will allow buyers to see the property as a blank canvas for them to make their own.
Lastly, remember that first impressions count and will give a lasting impression. From your garden gate to your front door are the first thing viewers will see as they arrive at tour property so make sure to create great appeal. Paint the garden gate if its looking shabby, hide wheelie bins, remove weeds or leaves from the path, paint your front door if it needs it and polish door knobs and letter boxes.
If you’re looking to get your selling your property in January, the first thing you’ll need is a Home Report. We are RICS Chartered Surveyors specialising in Home Reports across Scotland from only £85. Get in touch today to arrange a time to suit you. We offer early morning or evening and weekend appointments. Call us on 0131 608 0175 or email us at info@homereportcompany.co.uk
