Spring into selling your house

The birds are singing, daffodils are blooming and the mornings are lighter – spring is definitely here! That means it is a prime time to get your house on the market and welcome those (masked and socially distanced) buyers through your door.

So, if a sale in on your spring agenda, here are a few top tips to help your home stand out from the crowd. If you want a quick and smooth sale it pays off to have a good sort out and tidy up before you even ask an agent to come and value your property. That way, you spot and sort any problems that might deter potential buyers and you also get the best possible valuation for your home. Here are some things to think about:

First impressions

Now is the time to spruce up the front garden, mow the lawn, sweep the drive, ensure the doors and windows are gleaming and invest in a new container of spring flowers by the front door. But remember, ongoing maintenance is required to keep your home looking tip top until those contracts are signed. First impressions really do count and you don’t want to fall at the first hurdle. Although everything seems to be online these days, remember that savvy buyers may also hop in the car and do a quick drive by before arranging a viewing.

Declutter

Decluttering is your house-selling friend. Potential purchasers need to be able to see your home in all its glory and visualise how they could live in the space. Clutter detracts from this and can easily lose you a sale.

Find your ruthless side and go through your possessions – parting with those items you no longer need, want or use.  Pack them off to the local charity shop and then temporarily rehome everything else you don’t need for day-to-day living in either containerised or self storage until your home is sold.

Clean, clean and clean some more!

For most of us keeping our homes super clean, just in case a viewing is arranged, is one of the most stressful parts of the moving process.

Property guru, Phil Spencer, recommends engaging a professional cleaning company to undertake a deep clean. Tackling jobs like cleaning the windows, scrubbing the oven and getting shower doors sparkling makes a huge difference.  Hiring a professional cleaning company may be cheaper than you think, so why not let them do the hard work and then all you have to do is keep on top of things.

Oh, and don’t forget to open doors and windows and let all that fresh spring air in!

Pretty as a picture

Photographs play a major role in determining whether a potential purchaser arranges a viewing.  For your property to be seen its best, declutter, clean and stage each room before any shots are taken. Use photography skills as part of your selection criteria when deciding which estate agent should represent you. If you don’t like the photos they produce, ask for them to be redone or take your own and ask for them to be used instead.

Brief the agent

Don’t forget to fully brief your estate agent.

Prospective buyers ask questions and good estate agents will want to be prepared to answer them.  If your home is bursting with gadgets, fancy lighting systems, smart phone-controlled thermostats, or you’ve had a rainwater harvester installed, make sure the estate agent knows all the facts.  If they don’t know all the ‘wow’ things about your property, neither will your potential buyer.

And finally…

If you find that your house isn’t selling start asking some questions. Ask the agent what feedback they have had. What are the things that people do and don’t like about your property? Ask the agent why they think it isn’t selling or what you could do to make your property more appealing. Then take action… and hopefully, soon enough you will be calling us here at Yeates to book in your move date!

If you’re thinking about moving home this spring, then you can find out more about our house removals services or view our great range of storage solutions if you need to store items whilst you’re in the process of moving.