Yes, it’s that time again, Valentine’s Day!
How do you get a buyer to fall in love with your home?
First impressions do count. The same as a first date or walking into a restaurant, even when you look to buy a new car. what is your first thought?
This is the same for your home that you are selling, think of it as a date and that you want the buyer to fall in love with your home that you have also loved, maybe for many years, brought up a family, your first home since you got married and your Husband carried you over the threshold.
Instant attraction…. It takes around 20 seconds for a person to be given an impression, even walking up the path to the front door.
Top 10 tips for you before you even get the Estate Agent round to take the photographs. They can take cracking shots, but they are not magicians and need something to work with.
- Be it a flat or a house with a front garden. Make sure the area is clean and tidy. Put a nice pot plant outside with colourful plants. Get rid of those weeds. Clean your windows and do not forget to clean the front door and polish the chrome. How about a nice new Welcome mat? Don’t forget the back garden as well. Get the lawn mover out, trim the shrubbery and make your garden feel like the buyers can chill in the summer and do not have to start in their new home by doing a major project.
- Inside your home. Spring clean all the way through including the windows. Make sure that the bathroom and kitchen is sparking. When the buyers walk in you need to dazzle them so much that they make an offer there and then.
- Ornaments, books, photos. Pack up in boxes and put in the loft or storage. Keep a few out of course as you need it a little homely but without clutter. A nice smelling candle burning (make sure you blow out after though).
- Carpets. Hire a carpet cleaner or appoint a carpet cleaning company.
- Make a list of the jobs that you always meant to do and fix them.
- If you have a room that you do not use. Make it look like a room that is. How about an office or a playroom, sewing room, artists room? If a bedroom, put a bed in and make the room look nice so they can imagine their child sleeping in there, though make sure neutral. If the room has Thomas the Tank or Frozen wallpaper, paint over so plain décor.
- Kitchens. Check all the unit doors are secure and not falling off when opened. Clean your cooker, hob and extractor so sparkling clean. Flooring does it need changing. If so, you can always hide any defects with a nice kitchen rug. Any clutter hide away. Make sure the worktops are clear and clean. Your kitchen needs to look spacious and that the buyer can imagine them cooking there.
- Bathrooms. Are the taps in good order and the toilet flushes. Make sure that everything is sparkling. Shower screens must be gleaming. Even down to making sure the toilet roll is on the holder all folded like a hotel. Nice bath gels on display. Any clutter hide away.
- Before your viewers arrive. Opens the windows so that you have fresh air through the home. If winter, maybe not! Just make sure your home is cosy and welcoming.
Lastly no.10. Picking your Estate Agent. You of course need an agent that will work hard for you, one that offers you a fantastic service, great photographs, floor plans, together with their knowledge and experience in the property market.
Do not choose one that overvalues your property just to get it on their books and then does not sell. Do not pick an agent for the cheapest fee.
Call agents first, speak to their Sales department before you invite them round. Have a few questions to ask them, interview them and then if you are happy with what they are saying, invite them for a valuation.
We would like to wish you Good Luck in your new chapter.
At GBP Estates, Julie James and Kevan Wimborne will be happy to talk to you and give you free advice over the phone before we even pop round for that cup of tea to value your property.
Call 01708 504455 for your FREE no obligation valuation.