Preparing your home

If you want to sell your property, you need to remember that appearances are paramount. With many years experience in successfully marketing properties, we know what works. Here are our top tips on presenting your home.

First impressions

Good presentation maximises the desirability and value of your property. That is why we take great pride in ensuring your property is presented in the best possible light. Every property we are entrusted with is visited by one of our photographers who produce the images that form the basis for marketing your property.

These photographs, together with the floor plans and a location map, are then used in our extensive marketing program. We have put together a helpful guide for you to assist us in getting the property ready for marketing.

Light and space

Windows look best when they are cleaned (inside and out) and covered as little as possible. Net curtains should be taken down or moved to the side and blinds should be lifted. If possible, position the sofa against a wall. This emphasises the size of the room and creates a more attractive photo. Make sure furniture or items stored behind doors do not prevent them from opening properly. This allows space for the photographer to stand back and frame more of the room.

Seller’s rules

Knowing and applying these rules will significantly improve the saleability of your home.

Indoors

  • Washing up and washing up equipment, kitchen towels, oven mittens, toothbrushes, shampoos etc. should be placed out of sight. All kitchen and bathroom surfaces should be cleared.
  • Remove from view: laundry, carrier bags, toys, colourful magazines, catalogues, tissue boxes etc.
  • Remove from view items with easily recognisable logos or strongly coloured packaging including food products.
  • Hide cable tangles and if necessary disconnect appliances except lamps. Make sure all light bulbs work, particularly in ceiling spot lights, chandeliers and above the cooker.
  • Choose light neutral coloured bed linen and make sure it is not creased.
  • Fresh flowers, fruit and vegetables always look good. Remove dead plants.
  • Paint over bold colours with a neutral tone, which will also increase the feeling of spaciousness.
  • Finish old DIY projects

Outdoors

  • Prepare the outdoor seating area - even in winter.
  • Remove washing lines and loose covers.
  • Mow the lawn or rake up leaves.
  • Hide outdoor rubbish and recycling bins etc.

Front Door

Front doors are typically the first thing a buyer notices when they approach your home which means making sure yours is up to scratch is a pretty big priority. There are a number of options when it comes to types of front doors; do your research and make sure not to settle for the cheapest.

Lighting

Lighting is such a simple concept but yet so many homes are inadequately lit both inside and out. The first concept to grasp is that buyers won't just be viewing your home with agents, most will drive past and walk past at various times of the day if semi-serious. For this reason outdoor lighting can really help highlight specific features. If you have a pretty tree; light it up. If you have a pretty Georgian door; be sure to show it off! Inside make sure the lighting is set-up to increase space, and where possible work with natural light.

Fencing

If you have a front garden fence make sure it looks as good as it possibly can. Fences are typically easy to mend and find replacement elements for, so there is no excuse for broken or incomplete areas. If the fence is painted, why not spend a couple of hours touching/freshening it up. Every single first impression counts, the gate is no exception.