Styling Tips for Smart Presentation
First impressions count, so it's important to consider how you can best present your home for sale. You may have lived in your home for many years, so try to take a step back and view it with the fresh eyes of prospective buyers.
Grab a notepad and pen, and take a tour through your home from the street all the way through to the back fence - if you'd like a guide to help you then print off our "Presentation Checklist". Be critical and take notice of small details.
How does the outside of your home present, is it worth a second look? An inviting entrance creates an important first impression!
Check that things such as roofing, guttering, paint, woodwork and paving are all in good condition. Spending money to fix these things can potentially mean extra money in your pocket come sale time.
Clean windows or any glass balustrades you may have. Also consider having your house professionally cleaned, this is an inexpensive way to instantly lift its appearance.
Mow the lawn regularly, particularly before an open for inspection, trim hedges, rake up the leaves, if you have a pool make it sparkle and hide away any pool equipment.
If you are selling a tenanted property, consider offering the tenant a cleaner to come once or twice a week before the open for inspection. It is money worth spending and a good way to keep your tenant on side.
Bathrooms and kitchens are the most scrutinised by buyers, ensure they are pristine and remove any personal items. Soap scum, mould, old shower curtains and dirty bathroom mirrors should be cleaned, removed or replaced! Consider buying fresh towels and put them out when you have an open for inspection, storing them away in between to save on time and energy.
Make all the beds, fluff the cushions, vacuum floors, dust shelves and remove cobwebs that may be lurking inside and out.
Ensure your home maximises light no matter what time of the day it is. Open the curtains and check all light bulbs are working. If you’re holding an evening inspection, light up your garden and consider using a few candles inside to further enhance the ambience.
Selling your home is a great time for a spring clean, less clutter creates an impression of space so remove anything you don’t want to take to your new home. Most local councils will come and collect your rubbish free of charge or for a small fee. Another option is to consider giving your unnecessary household items to a charity, such as The Salvation Army or to hire a self storage space to de-clutter during the sale process.
Pet odours and hair can be a big turn off for buyers so ensure there is no trace of your pet during inspections. This may mean steam cleaning carpet, hiding away their food and water bowl, toys and bedding.
It's a perfect time to get organised for moving into your next home, pack up belongings and store them away. You'll be surprised how much more space and light you can create by de-cluttering. You want prospective buyers to easily imagine themselves and their personal effects placed in your home, so pack away personal photos and make your home more neutral. Selling a house is as much about selling the dream as it is about selling the property.
If you are time poor, or just unsure of the best way to present, then consider using the services of a professional Property Stylist - you'll find they have many tips and great ideas to help you maximise the property to it's best potential and get a better sales result.