WITH a little more time on our hands, now could be the perfect opportunity for those thinking about selling their home later in the year or in the near future to ensure they are ready to welcome buyers when things are back to normal.
Here, the experts at new homes homebuilder Miller Homes, share their nine top tips.
Paint over statement walls
Loved by homeowners but not potential buyers, big splashes of paint on statement walls are a big no-no when it comes to selling up.
If you have any of these in your house, be sure to paint over so you neutralise the room.
Recent research reported that 52 per cent of people thought dark blue walls reduced a house’s value, while 49 per cent thought the same for dark grey.
Our advice – make it light to keep it bright.
Declutter
If you’re not using something during the time you’re selling, it needs to go. Find a new home for it by selling online or even donating to a charity shop.
Not only will you feel better for it, it’s one less item to clean ahead of your viewings, AND one less item to take with you when you move.
Potential buyers need to visualise their belongings in your house, and if you have too many obstructions it will hinder their imagination.
This doesn’t mean packing everything into your ‘Monica cupboard’ or the garage though. Savvy potential buyers will want to look in these spaces too.
Cut back hedges and borders
Decluttering the garden is just as important as the house and can enhance that all important kerb-appeal.
Cut back borders and hedges to reveal more of your garden and maximise space. Wow your buyers with the outdoor space they could have if they sign on the dotted line.
The same applies to any garden borders. If you can, you might want to consider laying down new turf, or at the very least seeding the soil. Your garden will look smarter and bigger.
Clean your bathroom grout
Dealing with the bathroom is not a fun job at the best of times, but dirty grout won’t be convincing anyone to buy your house.
By steaming and cleaning your grout, your bathroom will sparkle and immediately feel like it has a new lease of life.
Give estate agents virtual tours
There is plenty of technology on hand to help you value your house.
Through Facetime or Skype, you can show local estate agents round the house virtually while they are at home too, helping them see what they will be selling for you in the future.
Follow up with pictures if they need to see anything else before giving you an estimate on its value.
When the time is right, you can ask them round for a visit in person to finalise the details.
Take as many photos as you can
During this time when it’s not possible for an estate agent to visit to value the property and to take the necessary pictures, then you can help them out.
During (rare) moments of sunny weather, have your phone to hand and take as many different photos of the sunniest rooms and places in the house.
If your living room is flooded with light in the morning, be sure to snap that perfect shot. The same applies to your garden or other key living spaces.
Having amazing sunny pictures on websites like Rightmove or Zoopla might be the difference between someone just browsing, to actually arranging a viewing.
Jet wash patio(s) and drive
First impressions count so make sure the entrance to your house gleams – again, it’s all about that kerb-appeal!
If you can jet wash your driveway and patio, visitors will start thinking positively before they even knock on your door.
You’ll be surprised how much of a difference this will make.
Fill in any wall cracks
Unsightly wall cracks will draw more attention than flowers or the smell of fresh coffee.
You can quickly and easily fill in any cracks around the house with polyfilla.
Once dry, paint over with any remaining paint from your redecorating.
Clean the hob and oven
Savvy potential buyers will explore every nook and cranny, including your oven. This is no time to use it as hidden storage, but it IS the time to give it a good clean.
Inside and out, hob and grill, they all need cleaning.
A gleaming oven could make all the difference.
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