Are you considering selling your home? If so, then it is important that it looks its best because first impressions count.
Potential buyers may be viewing several properties and will make comparisons as they go along. You want your house to stand out for all the right reasons. Aim to accentuate its finer points and have both it and your garden in excellent condition so that whoever views it will go away with a positive impression.
While the location and size of the property will be an important deciding factor for a buyer – some houses sell instantly, others are sold before they are even put on the market – there are ways in which you can “dress” your house for success, or “home stage” it.
Here are some suggestions to get you started:-
1. Declutter. This should be a priority because it will make your home appear bigger, brighter, and better maintained so people see it in its best light. This will create a positive first impression, attracting attention to its best features, and can lead to a quicker sale at a higher price. Start in one particular room or corner of a room and work your way through it. High-traffic areas, such as hallways, and living rooms are good places to begin decluttering.
2. Prune your presses. Go through hot presses, wardrobes, cabinets, the garage, and the shed and tidy everything. Buyers will look inside these areas to see how spacious they are and they will not want to be faced by mountains of clutter.
3. Complete your house edit in a set timeframe. Work through each room, editing the contents, and focusing on depersonalising them. Remove family photographs and other sentimental items to enable potential buyers to see a blank canvas when they view your home which will allow them to imagine their future in it. Use simple art pieces to add a touch of style, if needed.
4. Get rid of things. This is the perfect time to discard anything you no longer love or need. Donate, sell, or recycle items that are surplus to requirements.
5. Consider storage: If you have things you do not want to part with and are not needed to “dress up” your house for viewing, hire some space in an off-site storage unit to minimise clutter. Try to keep these items to a minimum to avoid additional cost.
6. Spruce it up. Concentrate on kerb appeal and ensure your house looks good from the outside. Tidy everywhere, clear the driveway, and make sure the front is free of obstructions for ease of access. Remove any litter, repair gates, if necessary, and sweep the path.
7. Do a deep clean. Ensure the skirting boards and walls are clean, surfaces are dusted, and that the floors are spotless. Bathrooms attract attention particularly so make sure both are gleaming. Any soap wrappers, empty shampoo containers, or leaking toothpaste tubes should be removed from the bathroom. Give taps a scrub and polish any mirrors, too. The kitchen is often the centre of the home where people spend a lot of their time and it should feel warm and cheery. If it looks drab and jaded, take it in hand. Get a tablecloth or hang a new picture. Even a bright tea towel will add a touch of colour. Make sure there are no dishes lying around or any leftover food. If you have a kitchen clock, ensure it tells the correct time.
8. Clean your entire home from top to bottom, including windows, floors, and appliances.
9. Carry out minor repairs: Fix any minor issues, such as leaking taps or peeling paint.
10. Create a peaceful ambience. Use reed diffusers or scented candles to add a gentle fragrance to a room and consider playing soft music in the background to create a relaxing mood.
11. Check the temperature. Make sure your house is comfortable, not too hot or cold. Put the heat on for viewings in winter or open windows or put on a fan in the summer.
12. Little details matter: An interesting coffee table book, quality bed linen, classy picture frames, or an elegant lamp will easily elevate a room.
13. Neutralise colours: Repaint walls in neutral, light colours to appeal to a wider range of tastes and give the illusion of bigger rooms.
14. Liven up the decor. This can be easily achieved on a budget by using throws and cushions to add a splash of colour and luxury. Bright, fluffy cushions can give an old sofa an instant lease of life, for example, while a patterned runner will cover any scratches on your kitchen table. Bring the outdoors in and revitalise your home with fresh flowers or plants. A simple vase of flowers on a hallway table, a potted plant, or a bowl of fruit on a window sill can give an instant sense of freshness to your home and bring colour, life, and light to it.
15. Use mirrors to make rooms appear bigger and more open. They give the impression of a larger space and add brightness and style through decorative design.
16. Maximise light: Open curtains and blinds to allow the natural light to come in and turn on all indoor lights to make sure your house looks bright and inviting. Suitable lighting enhances a home’s features, accentuating or downplaying different areas. Poor or outdated lighting can adversely affect not just the ambience of a house but its overall appearance.
17. Arrange furniture: Consider moving your furniture around to make your rooms look more open or create distinct areas for different activities, such as reading or watching television, cooking, or remote working.
18. Stage key rooms. Choose fluffy towels and good quality toiletries for your bathroom.
19. Create a welcoming atmosphere. Turn off the television or any distracting background sound.
20. Avoid last-minute camouflage jobs. These could be anything from painting over cracks or damp areas. This will usually warn a prospective purchaser that there is something wrong with the house.
21. Changing curtains can give your home a lift. If it is dark inside, it may be wise to get lighter curtains or buy stronger bulbs to brighten it up a bit.
22. Keep your pet out of the house. Not all buyers are pet lovers so take your cat for a drive or your dog for a walk or ask a friend or neighbour to take care of them for a little while when any viewing is taking place.
23. Ensure fittings are in working order. If these are included in the sale, it is essential that they work and are clean. This includes everything from ovens and fridges to curtains and blinds. Replace light bulbs, if necessary.
