Declutter – but don’t depersonalise
Get rid of items that have accumulated – put them into storage, sell or give away to charity. Remove any bulky furniture to make the room feel larger and let people see all the fantastic living space you’re offering them. It’s important to not to make it look like a generic hotel, leave some personality to the room – it can help give suggestions to buyers as to what they might do with the space.
Fix and clean
Now’s the time to make any minor repairs, fill that hole in the wall or replace the broken door knob – many buyers want to move in without making changes, so allow for this by making your place as easy as possible to do so. Clean everything until it sparkles – from getting rid of limescale, repairing tile grout, through to waxing wooden floors – it all counts in making your place attractive for others to buy. Don’t forget the garden too – clean the patio, cut the grass and let your buyers visualise themselves enjoying the garden space.
A quick makeover
Sometimes a place can really benefit from a few small changes to really help sell the space – consider adding a fresh lick of neutral paint over the walls to make your home seem lighter and bigger. Clean your windows, check that all your light bulbs work, and try adding a wall mirror to a small room or hallway to give the appearance of more room.
Refresh the kitchen
The kitchen can be one of the biggest areas to add value to your home2 – so it makes sense to check that yours is in tip top condition. Where necessary, think about refacing the cabinets or upgrading damaged or worn counter tops to give a quick-fix makeover to tired units that could make all the difference during property viewings.
Dress the room for sale
Finishings are important – dress your windows with blinds or curtains, consider adding plants and flowers to add colour, and of course, fill your kitchen fruit bowl with fresh fruit! Smells are important too, if you are a smoker, place bowls of vinegar around the house for three days to neutralise the smell. Invest in air fresheners and quality diffusers for that finishing touch.
Sources
1 – Rightmove (2022) Want to know the best time of year to sell your home?. Available at https://www.rightmove.co.uk/news/articles/property-news/best-month-to-sell/ (Accessed 24th May 2022)
2 – Home Owners Alliance (2022) Kitchen renovation: Where do I start?. Available at https://hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/for-owners/kitchen-renovation-start/ (Accessed 24th May 2022)
