‘I found the quality of the marketing advice was excellent. We were very pleased with the amount of market exposure we had and the quality of its presentation. Many thanks for all the hard work'
- Mr and Mrs Thompson.
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:: Sight ::
- Try to ensure the house is tidy as possible
- Draw all the curtains right back from the windows to make the rooms appear bigger and brighter
- On dull days turn all the lights on – electric light is much warmer and more friendly than daylight (although sunlight is best of all)
In spring, autumn or winter light a fire if you have one - Make sure the lawn is cut and the garden tidy
- Clean the windows to allow in more light and so the buyers can see out
:: Sound ::
- Turn the television off. It makes people feel they are intruding
- Put some background music on quietly (classical is best)
- Close the windows if the house is affected by any sort of background noise (traffic, trains etc)
- A barking dog is for many people a most unpleasant first impression of the property. Try to take the dog out for a walk when a viewing is expected.
:: Smell ::
- Attractive smells can make a positive impression – coffee brewing, bread baking and food cooking are all homely and atmospheric
- Unattractive smells can be very off putting. These include dogs. tobacco, air fresheners and dirty bins
If you have any particular concerns or require advice of a specific nature please just give us a call and we will try and point you in the right direction.
Remember, we are working for you and have generally encountered the same problems and issues on many occasions.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT
The maxim ‘presentation is vital’ was never more true than when selling a house. It is therefore extremely important to carry out any necessary cosmetic work before you put your property on the market. House buyers form their first impressions very quickly – indeed research shows that half of all buyers make their final decision before they even get in the front door! If such a high proportion of buyers are going to make their decision from outside then this is where you must start.
Go and stand on the street at least 100 yards away from your property. Take a good hard look and try and see it through the eyes of someone who has never seen it before. What do you see? Have the neighbours’ houses been decorated more recently than yours? If so, consider redecorating at least the front elevation. Move forwards, 10 yards at a time. What do you see as you move closer? Could your teenage son be persuaded to park his battered old car somewhere else for a few weeks? Are any tiles missing from the roof? Does the hedge need trimming? Is the front fence in good condition? Does the front garden need tiding?
Open the front door and step inside. Take a long critical look at the entrance hall. Bear in mind this is the first room potential purchasers will see and consider whether any work is necessary to brighten it up. Before you leave the entrance hall think carefully about what order the rooms in the house should be shown in. It is important that buyers see the most attractive room first.
Generally speaking it is not worth undertaking more major works in order to facilitate a sale. If you are thinking of undertaking repair work, you should bear in mind that most purchasers tend to under-estimate the true cost of repairs so you are better off leaving them as they are. If you are thinking of undertaking cosmetic work you should bear in mind that most purchasers would prefer to buy a cheaper property and install their own kitchen, bathroom and carpets.
In addition to the above you might also consider:
Net Curtains – net curtains block out a great deal of natural light and can make rooms look smaller. Consider taking them down whilst the house is on the market.
Curtains – rooms can be made to seem dark by heavy curtains that cannot be drawn back off the windows. Consider tying them back whilst the house in on the market.
Furniture – Large pieces of furniture will make rooms seem smaller. Consider repositioning or even storing such items while the house is on the market.
Flowers – A hanging basket in the porch or fresh flowers in the entrance hall can make a real difference to a buyers first impression of your house.
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