Any improvements we can make in advance of viewings....

[PogoBob]

I will probably regret this post as we've almost killed ourselves getting this house ready for sale (and haven't really got any money left for more work) but need to sell it so any comments gratefully received.

The smaller bedroom doesn't look quite so bland in the flesh but we are going to hang a picture on the wall.
The gravel area in the garden which is at the side of the house will have a table and chairs
The overgrown lawned area is being levelled off and turfed next week, the description will say this and a fresh picture will be taken.

So, anything we should change

Interim Details

[RandomMess]

Hmmm it looks like it's missing some finishing touches, almost a bit too bland and bare rather than inviting.

For example in the the bathroom some nice look accessories/products in the corner by the bath or something?

I'm sure you'll get better advice than that of the others though.

[ChippingInToThePumpkinLantern]

I think you have done a fantastic job :) It looks lovely, clean & fresh.

One thing I would change (and you may want to kick me) is the toilet seat, I'd put a white one on it.

If you can, take more photos showing the rooms from the other view - it's hard to get a feel for the size & layout.

I wish you could get somewhere like that for that price around here!! It would be £300 here :(

Where are you moving to?

[PogoBob]

Thanks Random, that is helpful. The bathroom is pretty small so it's a balancing act to keep it looking clear without going to bare. Will tweak for the hopeful) viewings

[PogoBob]

Oh, didn't see your post Chipping, thanks

I did think about the toilet seat but my desire for a little colour won out in the end , will think again.

I'm getting a floorplan done to go with the details, which will hopefully make it easier.

We moving out of Cardiff into the Vale of Glamorgan, have our next place lined up so need to move this!

[ChippingInToThePumpkinLantern]

Oooh Vale of Glamorgan sounds lovely! I must spend some time in Wales.

I think choosing to have 'a bit of colour' in your own home is fine - but for selling, probably best to keep it more neutral.

I love the clear lines, uncluttered surfaces - if I was looking in your area I would definintely look at your place.

[PogoBob]

Oh I love you Chipping will add loo seat to the list of job for DH to do

[ChippingInToThePumpkinLantern]

I really, really hope you get lots of viewings - but if you don't, it's not because your house isn't lovely or isn't well presented, it will simply be because the market is as slow as a snail. The thing you have to keep in mind is that you only need one buyer

[RandomMess]

I'm thinking of things such as a vase of flowers (don't have to be real), nice small basket of goodies in the bathroom that type of thing.

I think the market is hideous so you need to make the most of staging your photos to get people through the door.

Have you listed the positive points of your house and location? Cheap to heat, decent catchment/pre-schools/public transport etc?

[reallifegetsintheway]

I think the back garden needs a bit of a tweak, perhaps mow lawn and tidy top left corner (near fence on still picture where neighbours washing is).

Lounge- you have 3 colours of wood- white lamp table, pine bookcase and pale wood dining table. Maybe disguise table and lamp table with oil cloth table cover , with red design to pick up red cushions on sofa??

Agree about loo seat!! Otherwise very clean and tidy, esp kitchen. Good luck!!

[reallifegetsintheway]

oops sorry didn't read bit about re-turfing!!! maybe save the money and try mowing first??

[befuzzled]

I like the loo seat!

[Sweetpea5]

Love the kitchen! I might put a bowl of oranges or flowers or something in there to make it more inviting maybe. A different duvet cover in the smaller bedroom. Yes to a few snazzy looking toiletries in the bathroom. Table and chairs will look great on the gravel. The lounge could look about more inviting, reallifes ideas sound good there.

But really it looks like a really nice house, v clean and reay to move in to. Good luck!

[Auntiestablishment]

I like the loo seat - bit of colour! It looks a lovely little house.

Did the agent send a Very Tall Person to take the photos? The rooms look like they're being looked down on from above, which makes them look a bit small. I guess floor plan will help with that.

[PogoBob]

Thanks all, this is super advice......

Waiting to see the write up by the agent but did discuss the good points of the area and they do mention them in other details they've done.

The table is pine also just untreated (the top is treated but not the legs), I have the stain so plan to finish it tomorrow evening.

I think the loo seat might stay but will invest in some sexy bottles of toiletries.

There is actually a breakfast table at the end of the kitchen you can't see which I've put a bowl of oranges on, and there is also a large colourful print on that wall.

The lawn area is a total mess and can only be saved by turfing so no option of mowing.

The agent was actually only about 5' 3 so don't know what when on there!!!

Thanks again

[gregssausageroll]

I'd add a couple of bits.

May be some flowers in the living room or kitchen.

Some nice bits (only a couple) of bath products and a nice towel over the bath.

I'd ditch photo 8 of the back garden as it is overlooking another house with their washing out and I don't think it does any favours to what is looking like a nice house.

[Aworryingtrend]

Your house is immaculate! I wish mine was that clean and clutter-free. Personally I think the the tub chair in the lounge looks a bit out of place, I can see what you are trying to do by dividing the room with it but I think it would make the room look large if it was re-positioned.

[macsaid]

looks immaculately clean and also cleanable and that is all I would want to see. Lucky buyers whoever they may be

[PogoBob]

Thanks all - only looks that tidy as a 1/3 of our stuff is in the inlaws garage and another 1/3 in a storage unit - poor DD is missing half her toys!!

I questioned the EA about the garden shot but she was certain that people are more put off by a lack of picture as they assume it is much worse than it actually is - will challenge her again on this one.

I can see what you mean about the tub chair but in the flesh it does work in the room, neither of the picture show the alcove where the tv is which makes square area with the sofa and chair....

This house selling business is stressful

[minipie]

Wow - well you certainly couldn't declutter any further could you Well done!

I would suggest:

• get a floorplan done
  

• turn the white table in the living/dining room round so the long side is against the wall. Sounds minor but think it would look less crowded.
  

• replace loo seat with white one (sorry!)
  

• In kitchen and 2nd bedroom, maybe put back a couple of nice decorative items as they look a little bit bare. But not crucial.
  

• re the garden photo, could you take one from the back door (rather than from an upstairs window)? That way it shows the garden rather than next door house.

[cece]

I like th eloo seat and would get towels to match

[HenriettaFarthingay]

Keep the loo seat but co-ordinate with towels, toiletries etc.

I second someone else's suggestion turning the table. Looks a little disproportionate at the moment - could just be the way the pic is taken though.

A very small point - how about moving the microwave against the cupboard over on the right rather than the corner? Where it is would be awkward to use (yes I know viewers aren't going to actually use it!). Think it would just look more natural. And I know it's good to have nice clear kitchen surfaces, but I think maybe one more thing, perhaps tea/coffee storage jars, fruit bowl, or a stack of nesting mugs or something to take away from the total bareness.

Otherwise gorgeous house, and if I was looking I'd be there like a shot.

[HenriettaFarthingay]

Just realised minipie was talking about the white side table - I was meaning turn the dining table! Sorry.

[PigletJohn]

to me it looks too empty, even though I like plain pale schemes.

A few big bright things scattered around (coloured bath towels, Dualit toaster, espresso machine and jars in the kitchen, some strong coloured bright mats or rug, big vases of big flowers would warm it up. They're things that can easily be moved by people who don't like them (unlike bright paintwork or garish wallpaper)

To me the exterior doesn't look inviting. Maybe you could hire a red jag, or plant a tree in blossom? Probably not. Even some big plant pots? Don't know.

[PhyllisDiller]

Lovely house, very neat.

Do you live there or have you done it up to sell?

I would put some ?stuff? in the kitchen to make it look lived in, cook books nicely displayed, bread bin, vase of flowers, cafetiere, cake ?thing?...etc.
As well as a picture on the spare room wall you need to pull the bed away from the wall (even if you push it back for viewings/to live there), having it pushed up against the wall makes the room look small. Could you run to some bedding with a bit of colour? (even borrowed from a friend, it doesn?t have to be there when people look round), the bed blends in with the wall at the moment.

The picture of the garden with your neighbours washing line in the background is not a good shot for explaining where the garden is in relation to the house...you need to get a picture of your garden with your house in it, not your neighbours. The houses are all similar so it looks a bit odd at first glance.

I?m not so keen on the shot of the living room where you can see the couch pushed up against the door way and the table and chairs in the kitchen, it?s a table for 2 and you are selling a 2 bed house that could in theory fit a family with 1 DC (or more), I know you have a dining room too...but still (just a very fussy point).

If you want to be even more fussy I?d put a lamp on the bed side table...it?s partly about getting buyers to imagine living there IMO.

[PogoBob]

Thanks all - really useful comments and we have taken them all on board (the loo seat is staying though )

Have tweak things, added some more stuff, colour and towels.

Phyllis we live here but already feel like moving out to avoid having to keep it clean and tidy with 14mo DD helping!

First viewing on Monday so uber panic here this evening