Getting your property ready to sell
One of the questions we are most frequently asked is "How long will our property be on the market before an acceptable offer is received?" While this is an almost impossible question to answer, nevertheless, in most cases, we know it is those clients who present their properties in a certain way that get the offers in fastest.
Our job is to get the maximum number of interested, informed people through your door. Yours is to prepare your home to show it off in its best possible light.
Here are some tips. Some are obvious, others perhaps not. Please remember it is very difficult to see your own home through other people's eyes. Try and look at this list impartially to see if your home complies.
Outside
First impressions. Has your property got 'kerb appeal' or are the bins permanently in view, the hedge and lawn overgrown, paint on the windows peeling and the curtains drawn during the day? If the outside doesn't looked cared for, then you are limiting the number of people who want to come inside.
Cleanliness
We cannot emphasise this enough. Not only should the property be deep cleaned (carpets, curtains, paintwork, windows), but the sort of daily mess we all make should be cleaned up before any viewings. We're talking about crumbs on the table, hairs on cushions, fluff on the carpet, toothpaste round the taps etc.
Smells
You simply cannot tell how that homely feeling your home gives you when you walk in, is made up. Warmth, light, colour, familiar objects, familiar smell… smell? Yes. Cigarette smoke, pets no matter how loveable, cooking no matter how accomplished you are…are all off-putting smells to prospective purchasers. You only notice them as part of that good feeling your home gives you.
Tidiness
Yes, most people want a home to look like one, but they are also looking for a feeling of space and need to be able to imagine their own goods and chattels in every room. Throw the toys under the bed, put the papers under the sofa cushions, towels straight on the rails… get the picture?
Clutter
This is a tricky one as we all love our ornaments, pictures, little tables, fluffy toys and presents from Istanbul. Sorry, but while the house is on the market please put them all in a box very carefully and hide them.
When you have accepted an offer on your property, you can cook a curry, read three newspapers a day, let the dog off his bath, stop making your bed, store your clothes on the floor and in general, relax. Until then, clean, tidy and de-clutter!