HOW TO PRESENT YOUR HOME – THE DO’S AND DON’TS

For many of us, how to present your home when you put it up “For Sale” is something we think about but never fully understand, and for those of us that kind of “get the concept” there are normally lots of good ideas floating around our heads, but we don’t know how to apply them practically.

The hardest part of any process is making the decision to go ahead, this obviously leads to lots of questions especially if its selling your home such as: “Does my house need any work doing to it?” “How much should I spend on it?” Does it matter if it is cluttered and looks untidy” and so on, and the more you think about it, the more questions you have. In this blog I aim to answer some of those questions by going through the “do’s & don’ts” of presenting your home ready to market it and hopefully make the whole process as easy and stress free as possible.

HERE ARE MY TOP 5 “DO’s & DON’TS”

1. ADVICE

Before you make any decision get some advice, there are plenty of knowledgeable people out there that can help you from your local Estate Agents, family & friends who have recently been through the process to local, reliable tradesmen/women that you have used in the past.

1. IMPARTIALLITY

Easier said than done but try to look round your home objectively/impartially and as a potential buyer would. It is all too easy to allow sentimentality to colour your judgment/opinion. Again, ask a friend or family member for some clarity. Whilst looking around think about the things you might miss in every day life for example: pet hairs/smells as much as we all love a cute dog or cat no one wants to walk into a house and be hit by the smell of “damp” dogs or leave covered in hair.

1. MAJOR & MINOR CHANGES

Firstly, we need to understand what are considered major and minor changes. Minor changes might be touching up paint work on walls, changing cushion covers adding some well placed inexpensive accessories such as candles etc but nothing too personal you are selling your home not your life! Buyers don’t want to see your life in picture. Try to avoid any major changes like knocking down walls, upgrading kitchens or bathrooms, the last thing you want is to spend money you are never going to get back and while it might look amazing when completed, potential buyers might not like it and would want to rip it out as soon as they move in resulting in your money, time and effort going “down the drain”.

1. OUTSIDE SPACE IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS INSIDE SPACE

Here in the UK we might live in a cold, damp climate but that doesn’t mean you can neglect your outdoor space. “Kerb appeal” is all important. It is the first impression potential buyers have of your property and you don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression. You need to make sure lawned areas to both the front and rear of the property are neatly cut, all patio areas, driveways and boarders are tidy. A splash of colour goes along away so some pretty flowers in pots or borders are a good way to go. The most useful thing to remember when it comes to outside space is your garden isn’t a dumping ground for old fridges, beds etc. There is nothing more unappealing than rubbish left lying about. Think more Hyacinth Bucket than Onslow and you won’t go far wrong.

1. A PICTURE TELLS A THOUSAND WORDS

Always remember a photo tells a thousand words and it is the pictures of your property that a potential buyer will go to first. Although we talk about “kerb appeal” being the first impression, in reality it is the photos on Rightmove, Zoopla etc that are the true first impression. These must be perfect from the word go, so make sure there are no piles of laundry on beds or dirty plates left in the sink on the day the photos are being taken. If they are not right in the first place it’s going to cost, you time and money in the long run. It will put buyers off and you will then need to take time out of your busy day for the Estate Agent to to come back and re-do them.

In a perfect world no one would have to do anything to their house before they market it, however for lots of home owners that is unrealistic. I don’t know anybody who would admit that their house is far from perfect, but with a few small improvements as discussed above it could be and you could be well on your way to owning your dream home.

There is no time like the present so what are you waiting for? Print my blog, give me a call on 0161 773 1011 and get some advice. Take that first step to having a perfectly presentable property that no buyer can resist and failing that will put a huge smile on your face whilst you are waiting for them to come along.

Till next time…

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