Every home is different, and what sells one house may not sell another. But there are still some basic ground rules that work like magic in almost all homes, whether they are large, medium or small. Before putting your home on the market, use the following tips as a check list. These basics are always followed by people who successfully sell their houses and they come up time and time again:
First impressions count – Tidy up the front gardens, getting rid of dead pot plants and rubbish bins.
Tidy up – This might seem very obvious but estate agents will tell you that they are constantly surprised at how many people expect to sell their houses with dishes in the sink and clothes all over the bedroom floor.
Spring clean and keep it clean – Prepare your house for the hordes of buyers who will see it by giving it a top to bottom spring clean.
Clear away the clutter – It may mean a lot to you, but to a buyer it is just rubbish.
Depersonalise – Clear away stuff which gives too much away about your personality and family.
Keep pets at bay – Animal hair and animal smells are a big minus. Not everyone loves animals and some buyers may even by allergic to them.
Neutral colours work best – Cream, pale beige and even magnolia are light, bright and fresh.
Kitchens and bathrooms sell houses – This doesn’t mean spending thousands on new fittings, simple measures such as painting dated dark wooden units in the kitchen, replacing old worn tiles in the bathroom or putting down new flooring can make all the difference.
Take care of the lighting – Lighting can help create a feeling of comfort and intimacy.
Make sure each room has a clearly defined purpose – Studies that doubles as bedrooms, bedrooms that double as gyms and halls that look like playrooms just confuse buyers.
Buy fresh flowers – Throw out all of those tired looking pot plants even if you think they might recover.
Tidy up the garden – You may be a keen gardener but a garden that looks like it might be a lot of work can be a disadvantage.