Quick improvements to sell house - any ideas?

[Tigerblue]

We've decided to put house on the market in the next few weeks.

Just wondering what quick improvements others would do, or what simple things you would notice which may put you off a house.

Hubby works long hours and is doing a post graduate degree studying evenings and weekends as well as voluntary charity work, so everything will fall to me. I know I need to declutter, I want to clean things like the bathroom grout and make sure the house is clean, tidy and odour free for a viewing. First agent we've had out said to do nothing to the house as it's fairly neutral and immediately liveable - may just cut the grass if we want it to be as tidy as poss this time of year.

I'm looking at the moment, and have realised I always think bedrooms look better if there's a bedspread. And that wires are unsightly.

Agree that everything should look well cared for: so tidy, weed-free (dead plant-free) garden; take care of small niggly jobs (lick of paint here, move chair to hide carpet stain there, make sure all the lights have working bulbs etc).

If you have a mouthy and highly-critical friend, invite him/her over and ask for an opinion on what doesn't look right. Otherwise, I think you should just try to avoid turning it into too big a job. I'm always deeply suspicious of people on programmes who say they aren't going to buy because they don't like the stairs carpet or the colour of the bathroom suite, they're all things that can be changed easily if someone really is a serious buyer.

take some photos yourself then look at them with a really critical eye.

Declutter and tidy.

Then declutter and tidy again/

Clean all windows inside & out & all other glass (pictures, mirrors etc). And make sure all tiles are clean & shiny. It makes a difference to the light levels in a room if reflective surfaces are clean.

I agree re bedspreads - makes the whole room look neater instantly.

Wash all the gloss paintwork.

Agree re critical friend - a great idea.

Clean.
Declutter.
Touch up paintwork scuff marks.
Nothing out in bathroom and toilet seat down.
Nothing out in kitchen (kettle/toaster fine, food/cleaning products not fine).
Bedspreads on beds and ironed,fluffed up pillows.
No wires on show.
Flowers in kitchen,living room etc.
No bins in photos (indoor or outdoor).
I sold in three days in February so all of that clearly worked. Good luck!

Clean carpets, walls and windows and nice smells.
We are looking at the moment and viewed a house that smelt so strongly of heating oil it made me gag.

The best we have viewed have all been clean, shiny and sweet smelling. The wallpaper, colours or condition of the carpets haven't mattered much really it's actually wanting to be in the place and being able to imagine living there.

Chuck out the stuff that you don't want to take with you now?

the big one is 'they don't buy your dirt'.

so big clean up and deal with that mouldy grout and all the little corners. Finish any incomplete DIY, mow that lawn, de-weed front path/patio. Clean front door, polish any metal work (or buy some hammerite!), things like that.

it should smell of nothing and look well-maintained.

Thanks for your replies. I've made a list. Luckily touched up paintwork in the summer, got new shower curtain and blinds. Last weekend, dug the front border over at weekend and have cut grass which will helps it look a little tidier. Am about to wipe glosswork and door handles. Tomorrow's job will be to take some stuff (already sorted) to charity shop, so basically am doing a little something every day.

Miss Milbanke - good idea to take a few photos, so we get an early indication of what house will look like on marketing material.

Please, please, please clean, we have been to see 4 houses in the last week. 2 were so dirty it was unbelievable, I mean cobwebs hanging from the light fittings, stains all over the carpets, tide marks around the bath and sinks, filthy woodwork.
One wanted a quick sale and he got it, just 10k less than his asking price which is this market we are shocked he accepted. Looks like I will be getting my rubber gloves out.

we rented a small storage space when putting our house on the market. Then we boxed up as much of our stuff as we could live without and stored it til the sale and move. Funnily enough some of those boxes remained unopened for SEVEN years after the move!!!! I should have just thrown them out unopened but curiosity got the better of me and now I am having to find space for unnecessary clutter! Anyway having the stuff in storage meant that we could spruce up the house easily (cleaned and plenty of plants around the place) and keep it looking good without too much effort.

We're having agents around this week for valuations. We cleared out the loft in the summer, so are putting suit cases, games which are in piles up their - that sort of thing. As mentioned, clean windows and paintwork and don't forget to do them again in a few weeks as things get dirty again. Make sure bathroom, kitchens, floors are clean and dust free, things out are neat and tidy. I thought about open curtains as much as possible to let light in and open windows for a couple of hours before (obviously then closing and putting heating on to warm up.

I've asked the two agents for tips so far, and both said don't do anything with the decoration or flooring, as we would only be guessing what others would want. Also, viewers tend to be suspicious if someone has just wallpapered/painted as they could be hiding something. Our garden is as tidy as it gets, but one suggested just keeping on top of the weeds.