You have taken the decision to put your property on the market, considered which estate agent to use and hopefully you are inundated with requests to view your property.
There are some small things you can do to make your home more appealing to a prospective buyer, without spending a fortune.
Remember that you are in competition with other properties in the area of a similar size and value so small things you can do to make yours stand are surely worth it.
Here are our top tips for ‘staging’ your home:
1. Declutter
Get rid of excess furniture, kitchen appliances and personal items. Prospective buyers want to be able to see the size of the rooms, visualise their own furniture in the property and see if they could imagine living there. Don’t make it too clinical though, leave some personality as it can inspire buyers for what they could do with the space.
2. Tone down bold colours
You don’t need to redecorate your entire home but a fresh coat of paint in a neutral colour can help make your house brighter and create the illusion of space.
3. Clean and tidy up
It seems obvious but you would be surprised at the number of people who leave washing hanging up, dishes in the sink and crumbs on the kitchen surfaces. Clean everywhere, tidy up and get rid of any unpleasant smells.
4. Make minor repairs
You might have got used to a broken door handle, a light bulb or a hole left in a wall from a picture hook, but a buyer will notice them. Take a trip to your local hardware shop, get out the filler and make those minor repairs.
5. Remove all traces of pets
You might be an animal lover but it doesn’t mean your viewers are. Call in a favour for friends or family to look after your pets and get rid of litter trays, bowls and baskets.
6. Put on all the lights
Once you have tidied, cleaned and painted, show off your hard work by making your home as bright as possible. You could even light some candles.
7. Consider the temperature
If it’s a warm day (unlikely in Scotland, but you never know), open the windows and get some air in. Likewise if it’s chilly, put the heating on. If your buyers are looking at multiple properties you don’t want to be remembered for the wrong reasons.
8. Don’t forget the outside
Prospective viewers often drive by or walk round an area before arranging a viewing. Cut the grass, get rid of weeds and sweep the path. If you live in a flat, try as far as possible to make sure the area at your front door is clear. If you have one, speak to your factor about any communal areas that need tidied up. In the industry this is known as ‘kerb appeal.’
Anything we’ve missed? Let us know your hints and tips.
If you’re preparing your home for sale, s1homes has a full directory of trusted estate agents in Scotland.
And if you’re looking to buy, there are thousands of properties to choose from.
Image: www.flickr.com/tommerton
You might also want to read Kerb appeal: First impressions count