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Original poster

Best House selling tips please :)

42 replies

MINIBondGirl · 07/05/2012 11:10

We are about to put our property on the market so would appreciate what you would like to see / not see as a potential buyer. It's a Grade II listed cottage with 3 beds, garage etc. We have a fairly small garden but that is the only real downside for most people. It is tidy, clean, uncluttered with no carpets in the bathroom etc.

Just after any special tips you might have....Smile

OP posts:
PestoSansVesto · 07/05/2012 11:15

Hide away any pets/pet paraphenalia before viewings.

Same goes for young children.

And declutter like crazy.

Make sure it is squeaky clean.

Fresh flowers brighten up a room.

You could bake bread or have a cafetiere on the go, but that might be a tad Stepford Wifey Grin

TunipTheVegemal · 07/05/2012 11:27

Speaking as someone who will probably end up buying a listed building (something that puts a lot of people off) I would say make sure the specs mention/have photos of any nice historical features, since if someone is prepared to buy a listed house with all the extra hassle that may involve, they are likely to be someone who appreciates that kind of thing.

BerthaTheBogBurglar · 07/05/2012 11:33

Price it sensibly!

Be prepared to talk about where you're hoping to move on to. Show that you're proactive and do actually want to sell and move.

This may sound obvious advice, but there are so many people on the market who will only sell if they get the asking price, and they find something to buy that they really really like and ticks all their boxes and is in perfect condition and is cheaper than the one they sold etc.

(I put an offer in on a house once and got the reply "um, we're not really sure we want to move" sigh).

champagnesuperdupernova · 07/05/2012 11:34

They say to remove lots of photos which makes it hard for some people to imagine living there

If your garden seems small either try and make it cottagey with lots of cottage esque flowers or clear it

As for Grade 2 listed - do you think it needs alterations? Is there room for a conservatory?
If so, perhaps do a search of recent successful applications?

RCheshire · 07/05/2012 16:32

Price is sensibly against sold prices not simply against prices - which by definition haven't got a buyer

RCheshire · 07/05/2012 16:33

Edit: Price it sensibly against sold prices not simply against asking prices - which by definition haven't got a buyer

oreocrumbs · 07/05/2012 16:43

Research any history of the house, and the village. Old houses have a story and people who are buying listed houses usually like history.

If only certain parts are listed double check what they are so you can give as accurate a description as you can.

Wash the car and make sure the windows are being washed frequently while you are selling. Keep the front of the property tidy all the time - including the street outside, people will often drive by to check out the house before they view.

Don't over fragrance your house, do away with any plug ins/heavy air freshener - it looks like you are trying to hide something and they are horrid anyway.

Sell a lifestyle, have a few high brow newspapers/magazines, wear deacent clothes and project an affluent lifestyle. Even if they don't realise it people are aspirational.

Original poster
MINIBondGirl · 07/05/2012 16:50

oreocrumbs I can't stand those plug ins either. I can't even go in a house with one as they make me retch and it's hard to breathe - I have a very sensitive sense of smell. I can't imagine what they do to kids with asthma Hmm

Champagnesuperdupernova - Can't make alterations or add a conservatory as it's listed. No space to anyway.

Some good tips - thanks peeps Thanks

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AnnaBegins · 07/05/2012 16:52

Ooo point us towards it on Rightmove please - and if it's in Yorkshire, let me have it ;)

If it is one of these older houses which have a tendency to look dark, make sure pictures are taken to make the most of the light.

Otherwise, just good luck!

GabbyAdler · 07/05/2012 17:09

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Message deleted by Mumsnet for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Original poster
MINIBondGirl · 07/05/2012 17:11

Annabegins - Not on yet - got the agent in for a visit next week. Sorry not in Yorks - South Coast - Hampshire....if I can figure out how to add a photo I will.

OP posts:
Original poster
MINIBondGirl · 07/05/2012 17:15

I've popped a photo on my profile - take it you can take a look??? The only garden we have is that bit at the front.

OP posts:
noddyholder · 07/05/2012 17:16

Clean everywhere clear clutter don't over price. Everything else is just tv makeover show fodder which has no effect once the banks and surveyors get involved.

milk · 07/05/2012 17:20

Get some artificial flowers and put them in a vase on the dinning table :) They look pretty, and if good quality will look like the real thing :)

For the first few viewings I bought fresh flowers, and it all added up :(

AnnaBegins · 07/05/2012 18:06

Wow what a beautiful house! Good luck to you.

oreocrumbs · 07/05/2012 18:10

Ooh its pretty Smile.

I love old cottages like that. Is the paint still good on the outside? It looks fine in the picture but if it has got a bit ropey since then it might be worth a freshen up. People might think that the house has not been maintained if the paint looks old. It does look ok in the photo though so ignore this point if not appliciable Smile.

And the plug in thing - my friend is/was an addict for the bloody things and her 4 yr old started to show signs of asthma, the GP asked if she used them and told her to stop - her DD was fine again very quickly. Should be banned bloody awful things!

Original poster
MINIBondGirl · 07/05/2012 18:39

Aww thanks...I do love it but we really need a bigger garden with 2 boys and a mad spaniel. If I could pick it up and put it in a field I'd be very happy. We are going to re-paint the windows etc but they don't need it badly. I just hate the hassle of keeping it immaculate with the kids, dog and messy DH :(

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AliceInordnung · 07/05/2012 18:47

Beautiful looking property!

If the garden is small I would demonstrate its useability by parking a couple of chairs in an appropriate corner where buyers can visualise where they would sit enjoying the space, and as it'sin the front demonstrate how it can feel private.

Ditto if there's a corner for a child's swing or sandpit. Also hide away/disguise wheelie bins and make sure it is VERY tidy.

EdlessAllenPoe · 08/05/2012 21:14

for some people a small garden is a plus - not everyone likes gardening!

i haven't sold yet (two offers but just time wasting) so will be quiet until i have.

Original poster
MINIBondGirl · 09/05/2012 08:21

Good luck EdlessAllenPoe Smile

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thisoldgirl · 09/05/2012 15:58

EdlessAllenPoe Could I please be very cheeky and ask what you mean by "time wasting" offers?

Are they offers from people who aren't in a position to proceed with their sale (ie not even on the market)? Or are they offers that you believe to be too low?

We've sold and moved into rented, but are desperate to buy somewhere.

We have offered on a house that has had very little interest because of its condition. Our offer was 15% below the asking price, but the same as a previous completion price for an identical footprint in similar (in fact, better) condition.

We thought the vendors - after several months on the market - would come back to us very quickly with their counter-offer, and we could meet halfway or so.

Instead we've been completely stonewalled by the vendor: no response whatsoever.

The agent has carried on showing other properties, but has gone quiet on this one, saying the vendor wanted close to asking price. So I think we have possibly been labelled "timewasters" when we're nothing of the sort Confused.

FWIW, when we sold, we were told that if we didn't get an asking price offer within the first fortnight, it was very unlikely we'd get one at all. We sold at 8% shy of our asking.

EdlessAllenPoe · 09/05/2012 16:26

one from a guy who then vanished, and decided actually he wanted to live elsewhere (total waste of time)

and one from a lady who may yet come back and buy, who has to get an offer on her own house (at least) first.

thisoldgirl · 09/05/2012 16:34

Okay, thank you for that, Edless that does all sound frustrating.

I guess we've got a timewasting vendor on our hands instead Confused

mathanxiety · 09/05/2012 18:48

I second decluttering -- have someone in with a seasoned eye to be the judge of 'tidy, clean and uncluttered'. Compare your house's look with magazines. Assess whether the arrangement of your furniture brings out the space or good features of each room. Assess whether it detracts or distracts from the good features of each room.

Realistically assess the extent of spaniel smell and other smells in the house. Is there a whiff of anything when you first open the door and walk in? You are probably not the best judge of this.

Depersonalisation is really important and not that nice to live with at first. Take down children's artwork, posters stuck on walls, get rid of a lot of visible toys (store somewhere).

Get really good photos taken with a wide angle camera and excellent light, by a professional.

A front door can look welcoming if you have some sort of large planter with flowers closeby.

Be prepared to admit interested parties for viewings at their convenience and not necessarily yours. Best thing to do imo is to leave the house and let an agent show people around, let them poke around themselves. It is a PITA but people can chat freely amongst themselves and feel more comfortable when you are not there, and it is hard not to appear to be hovering.

Leave a leaflet with vital statistics on the kitchen table for viewers.

Doilooklikeatourist · 09/05/2012 19:28

I would suggest a big bowl of oranges on the dining table instead of fresh flowers .
They add a lot of colour , smell good and can be eaten and topped up as necessary , so better value to you than constant vases of fresh flowers .
We sold to our first viewer , at about 12% less than asking ( cash buyer )
I think it was the oranges and a lot of luck