Presenting Your Property
When selling your home, it is important to remember that first impressions count. Prospective buyers will be shown through your property either by private appointments or by attending an open for inspection booking, and will have a limited time to view your home from all angles.
The more time you take to present your home in it’s best possible light, the more impressed the buyers will be and their offers or indications of price are likely to be more in line with your expectations.
Things to look for:-
Inspect your home from the street – this is where the buyers will get their very first impression. Are the lawns and gardens tidy? Is the driveway in good condition? Does the house look loved or in need of repair? If time and money permit, the lawns and garden can be quickly remedied with a dose of fertilizer and a good selection of flowering plants either in pots or the garden. Ensure the gutters on your roof are not blocked with leaf debris or growing their own garden, remove any cobwebs that may have found their favourite spots on the eaves and a quick external clean of the windows can all make a valuable difference.
Once inside your home, inspect each room and evaluate the amount of furniture and belongings they contain. The longer we live in our homes, the more we accumulate and before we know it our homes can become overcrowded – this may be the reason you are selling! The more spacious a home appears to potential purchasers, they more they can see their own belongings in it.
Keep in mind that potential purchasers will be looking for faults as well as benefits. If you have items around the house such as a broken clothes line, broken or washed out garden furnishings, doors or windows that won’t open the potential purchasers will see these as negatives. Where possible, correct these items prior to marketing your property.
A freshly cleaned and well presented home will always attract attention. If necessary, steam clean the carpets, ensure the windows are cleaned both inside and out, remove as much clutter as you can, tidy the garden and remove any obstacles so that you can easily walk around the house and garden.
Once you begin your marketing campaign, you may need to be ready for inspections on a daily basis. Ensure the beds are made and the home is left as neat as possible. Consider setting the dining table or outdoor entertaining area to make them more inviting. Perhaps some flowers or candles could improve the atmosphere during an open for inspection appealing to the potential purchasers senses of sight, smell and touch.
If you are unsure about just what improvements if any may improve your homes value give us a call we can help.