| When it comes to property, first impressions
count, so make sure yours is looking its absolute best. Making
the most of your home doesn't have to cost a fortune, and a
few inexpensive improvements can make all the difference. |
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| Put yourself in the shoes of a potential buyer and, starting
from the pavement outside, take a complete tour of the property.
Work out a plan of action, and if necessary, draft in a friend
or an objective other for a second opinion - you'll be amazed
at the cracks and crevices, often that have gone unnoticed for
years, that suddenly come to light. |
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| Once you've made a list of what needs to be done, work out
a budget and priorities accordingly. There's no point throwing
money at making unnecessary changes at this stage, so keep things
in perspective. |
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| Kerb appeal is essential because many prospective buyers may
only drive by your home. Getting them back a second time will
depend on their first impression, so make sure the outside is
looking its absolute best; keep refuse bins out of sight, and,
if it needs it, give the front door a fresh coat of paint. |
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| Tidying away the day-to-day debris that inevitably accumulates
will help to show off a room's potential and will make things
feel a lot more spacious. You're aiming to create a space that
buyers can ultimately imagine as their own, so clear away any
knick-knacks and keepsakes that might be a distraction. |
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| Doing up a house for sale is all about marketing a lifestyle
so always keep your buyer in mind when making any changes. |
| |
| Now might be the perfect opportunity to embark on a complete
lifestyle laundry and make a profit from a lifetime's worth
of junk at the local car boot sale. If a 7am start on a Sunday
is out of the question then make the most of charity and second
hand shops – do you really still need those school exercise
books? |
| |
| Now might be the perfect opportunity to embark on a complete
lifestyle laundry and make a profit from a lifetime's worth
of junk at the local car boot sale. If a 7am start on a Sunday
is out of the question then make the most of charity and second
hand shops – do you really still need those school exercise
books? |
| |
| Smarten up tired looking rooms with a fresh lick of paint.
You're aiming to appeal to as wide an audience as possible so
stick to neutrals and resist the urge to go down the 'themed'
route. |
| |
| In the bathroom, replace old vinyl flooring. Update the outdated
with a chrome towel rail and accessories or splash out on a
few expensive looking soaps and smellies to make a good impression. |
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| Tidy away clothes in the bedroom, and most importantly, keep
things well ventilated – buyers won't be enamored by the
smell of socks. Keep mess to a minimum by investing in some
storage that can either slot under the bed or is smart enough
to use as a feature |
| |
| Tidy away clothes in the bedroom, and most importantly, keep
things well ventilated – buyers won't be enamored by the
smell of socks. Keep mess to a minimum by investing in some
storage that can either slot under the bed or is smart enough
to use as a feature. |
| |
| Keeping on top of general household maintenance is essential,
but now is definitely the time to finish off long forgotten
DIY chores, i.e. replacing chipped tiles and fixing leaking
taps. |
| |
| You're effectively in competition with other homes in the
area, so it pays to find out from your local estate agent what
will make yours shine – a new worktop in the kitchen might
be all that it takes. |
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| Empty rooms won't be as nearly as appealing as furnished ones,
so always aim to give the property a 'lived in' look, even if
you've moved out. Make an effort to 'dress' the property in
advance for a more homely look. |
| |
| Lighting can work wonders and there's a huge choice now available
on the market. Use it to maximum effect to create a mood or
by making a feature out of it in narrow corridors or problem
spaces. Dark and dingy basements can be a real problem, so turn
lights on before buyers arrive. |
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Buyers will probably be wise to the smell of freshly ground
coffee or baked bread, but smell is incredibly important. Open
windows to eliminate any strong cooking smells and banish pets
to friends
or neighbours |
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| Smooth things along by getting together all the paperwork
you'll need well in advance. Contact the management company
if you live in a leasehold flat and give them plenty of notice
– there's nothing worse than finding the company secretary
is away on a fortnight's holiday when you need to move fast |
