10 steps to selling your home
We've all seen it...just when you've put your house on the
market someone else down the street does the same. But with
the current market showing a larger number of houses available
than normal there's a real need to make sure your house stands
out from the crowd and is as attractive to as many buyers
as possible.
Here's 10 top tips from MortgageSearcher to make your home
look its very best and help clinch that vital sale- |
| 1 |
The Beginning
The exterior to your home is the first thing a buyer
will see so ensure your garden is cultivated. If
you are selling a flat in a tenement it needs to
look clean and tidy, so make sure you set aside
20 minutes to give the stair a sweep and remove
any litter or debris. It is also important to mark
the buzzer with your name as well as the For Sale
board because if viewers turn up and they can't
find which flat is being sold, they may lose interest
and leave. |
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| 2 |
Paint It
First impressions count and an attractive looking
home will help give you the edge and could make
the difference between a sale and another week of
worry. Get the paintbrushes out and apply shades
of creams, biscuit or sand to the walls to add warmth
and open rooms up if space is cramped. |
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| 3 |
Kids
They can either be little darlings or little devils,
but it's important to make sure they are out of
the house when viewers are expected. You need to
be able to give your viewers 100 per cent of your
attention as they hold the key to your house being
sold. But if a young child is tearing around the
house demanding your attention, it's going to be
a difficult job for you to make that sale. |
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| 4 |
Flooring
Get rid of threadbare carpets and lay down hardwood
or laminate flooring. Not only does it provide a
neutral colour scheme but it looks smarter, is hardwearing
and is easy to maintain. And don't forget about
the bathroom - carpets are unhygienic so laying
tiles, vinyl or laminate flooring is ideal. |
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| 5 |
De-Clutter and De-Personalise
You are selling your home to other people so it's
important not to have your personality stamped all
over it. Put away photos of your loved ones and
make sure personal items are safely tucked away.
Now is the time to have a clear out, so hire a skip,
discard unwanted items and clear out cupboards to
show off their maximum storage space. |
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| 6 |
Bang on the Door
If your front door has seen better days now is the
time to replace it. Choose a door which mimics the
period of your home - a PVC door won't work on a
Georgian townhouse. Polish any brass doorknockers,
letter plates and numbers - and ensure the doorbell
works. |
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| 7 |
Sweet Smelling Air
Although freshly brewed coffee or bread baking in
the oven smells delicious, viewers can be sceptical
and will only think you are trying to mask an unpleasant
smell lurking in your home. Open all the windows
for a couple of hours beforehand to allow fresh
air to circulate. Lighting scented candles will
provide a sweet-smelling fragrance and at the same
time create a cosy ambiance. |
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| 8 |
Enhance Period Features
If you've got them flaunt them, as original features
are a unique selling point. Dado rails, picture
rails, cornices and ceiling roses all combine to
become eye catching features so it's worth getting
them restored. If they have been removed, it's worth
replacing them. |
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| 9 |
Accessorise
Mirrors help reflect light and give the illusion
a room looks bigger than it actually is, so it's
worth investing in them. Little touches, such as
candles, vases of fresh flowers and coloured olive
oil bottles in the kitchen all add those finishing
touches which make a property feel homely - a place
where viewers can imagine themselves living. |
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| 10 |
Pets
Get rid of any sign of pets by ensuring cat litter
trays, eating and watering dishes are well out of
sight and make sure your furry companions are out
for the duration of viewing. Also ensure your furniture
and carpets are thoroughly vacuumed to make sure
there are no stray cat or dog hairs giving the game
away. |
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