Are you thinking of selling your home in the New Year? There is good reason to! Potential buyers tend to have a renewed enthusiasm following the Christmas break, making it a profitable time of year to put your property on the market.
But before you start welcoming people into your home, you need to prepare your property for sale. Remember, you are not the only ones trying to take advantage of the New Year market, so you need to make sure you stand out from the crowd.
If you are not sure where to start, here are some of our top tips for preparing your home for sale in the New Year –
- Cast a critical eye over the exterior of your property
Buyers often do a ‘drive by’ of your property first, before deciding whether or not they want to book a viewing. Even if they do not bother to take this step, the outside of your property is still the first thing they see. And as everyone knows, first impressions are everything.
So, cast a critical eye over the exterior of your property. You are probably accustomed to what it looks like. But imagine you are seeing it for the first time – is the paint peeling off the walls? Do the windows need cleaning? Is the garden a mess? Is the gate hanging off its hinge?
If the exterior of your property is anything but presentable, do something about it. Tidy up the garden, clean the windows and gutters, paint the garden furniture and so on.
- Now do the same for the interior
Now, go inside your property and cast the same critical eye over your interiors. We get used to how our homes look and often do not notice when things start to look a little tired or dilapidated.
You do not need to do a complete makeover. Rather, repair any fixtures and fittings that have broken. Give the walls a fresh lick of paint. And do a deep clean. It may seem trivial, but buyers are put off by things like leaky taps, garish wallpaper and dusty surfaces.
- Declutter and depersonalise
In the same vein, declutter and depersonalise your property. You want to create a space that is warm and inviting. But you also want your buyers to imagine themselves living there – with their possessions, not yours.
So, start by tidying up your property. Put those children’s toys away, tidy up your coats and shoes from the hallway, and remove photographs of family and friends. In fact, remove anything that says ‘this is my home, not yours’.
Next, consider whether each room feels too busy. If so, remove some of the furniture. This will make the property feel more spacious, and allows the buyer to imagine their own belongings in situ.
- Neutralise odours
Buyers will be deterred by anything out of the ordinary – including odours. Neutralise any odours by regularly airing the property, especially before a viewing. If you have pets, be sure to empty their food bowls and litter trays. Likewise if you smoke, empty any ash trays.
- Choose the right agent
Lastly, find the right team for you and your property. Find an estate agent who understands the value of the New Year market and is ready to put in the work needed to get everything ready. When you do accept an offer, be sure to instruct an experienced conveyancer straightaway.
Contact us now
If you are buying or selling a property and would like help from a conveyancing solicitor, please contact us now at Breens Solicitors.
Call Debbie on 01704 532890 or 0151 928 6544 or email debbie@breensonline.co.uk
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