Spring is just around the corner and is traditionally the most popular time of year for house sales.  With just a few weeks to go before the property market starts hotting up, here’s some simple steps you can follow to make sure you’re ready to hit the ground running.

1.     Spring Clean

A quick whizz around with the Hoover and a wipe down of surfaces just won’t cut it when you’re trying to sell your house.  To make sure your home looks tip-top, it makes sense to hire in the professionals.  There are lots of companies these days that will undertake a deep clean of all areas of your home in one day – tackling things like grubby ovens, whiffy dishwashers, watermarks on shower screens, dirty windows, as well as vacuuming in all those places you usually forget like under the bed.

2.     De-personalise and Clear the Clutter

A potential buyer will want to see how their furniture, pictures, rugs and ornaments will look in your home, so it’s important to create a blank canvas for them.  Remove school certificates from the fridge and put away the family photos in a drawer.  Remember that the way you sell a home is very different to how you live in a home, so imagine you’re dressing your house like a shop window.  Don’t underestimate how cathartic a good clear out can be – channel Marie Kondo and chuck out anything that doesn’t bring you joy!

3.     Clean and Neutral Décor

You might simply adore your bright pink bedroom or your deep red dining room walls, but when it comes to attracting buyers to your home, creating a clean and neutral blank canvas really is one of the best things you can do.  You’ll be amazed at the new lease of life a fresh lick of paint throughout can give to your home.  Don’t forget to touch up scuffed skirting boards and clean tile grout, and make sure there are no wobbly door handles or blown light bulbs.

4.     Interview Three Estate Agents

It’s a good idea to speak to at least three agents to get a range of valuations and options.  Don’t automatically assume that the agent with the highest valuation or the lowest cost is the right choice for you.  In fact, it pays to be wary of a very high valuation – sometimes agents can overvalue your home to win your instruction, only to advise you to reduce the price just a short time later.  As well as asking key questions such as the agent’s fee and valuation, ask them to present their strategy for selling your home:  will they use a professional photographer and home stylist?  Will a copywriter create the description?  Will you have to pay extra for photos or do they offer an all-inclusive service?  Do they offer additional marketing such as a video or an open-house event?  Ask them what their tie-in period is and what you can do if you’re unhappy.  Sometimes it just comes down to chemistry – selling your home can be challenging and sometimes stressful,, so it’s important to have a good rapport with your agent and feel you can trust them.

5.     Get your Paperwork Sorted

The conveyancing process is often held up because vendors realise after they’ve had an offer that there are missing building certificates, insurance papers and/or guarantees/inspection records for appliances such as boilers.  Getting all your paperwork sorted from the beginning can save a lot of time and frustration later on when you’re holding up the chain!  Find a good solicitor and ask them to explain the process and costs involved.  They may even be able to start some of the conveyancing work such as local searches early on in the process.  At home, make sure you have all your house paperwork easily accessible in one file:  buildings certificates, insurance documents, appliance guarantees etc.

6.     First Impressions Count – Inside and Out!

Did you know that a buyer takes only eight seconds on average to decide whether or not they like your home?  In many cases this could mean they’ve fallen in love or said ‘I’m out’ before they’ve even got through the front door.  First impressions really count so crank up the kerb appeal by starting from the outside in.  Clear weeds from the driveway and sweep up leaves and debris from pathways.  Invest in some flowering hanging baskets or greenery in pots to frame your front door and ensure handles and letterboxes are clean and polished.

7.     Go With the ‘Flow’

One of the best compliments we hear about great houses is how well the rooms ‘flow’.  In the most attractive homes, each room has a clearly defined purpose and the layout makes perfect sense so that the spaces flow effortlessly.  Use your senses to check that your room layout makes sense and that every space has a purpose.  Is your spare room full of old clothes, boxes of books or children’s toys?  Has your dining room become a dumping ground for paperwork?  Are your kitchen surfaces covered with cereal boxes, half-opened bottles of wine or rarely used herbs and spices?  No matter how great the rest of your house is, one bad room can kill the mood.  Don’t forget that buyers are looking for reasons NOT to buy your home – make sure you don’t give them one!

With these tips in mind, it’s time to ‘spring’ into action!  So, if you’re ready to sell, we’d love to hear from you and help get you moving.  Call us for a chat on 01235 751 888 (Oxfordshire) or 01242 384 444 (Cheltenham & Cotswolds) or drop us a line at hello@stowhillestates.com – we’d love to help you spring into gear!