So we're selling up. Top tips please!

[cashewfrenzy]

I'm really sad :( I love this house. But the DC will soon need their own rooms and we desperately need outside storage.

There isn't a load of cash to be spared but we're having new flooring laid in kitchen next week and I'm trying to clear out a bit. This is the first time we have been sellers so I'm keen to have any tips from experienced people.

We are selling for first time now.

I have decluttered as much as possible, for every viewing make sure it is clean and tidy, I also let the agent do the viewings without me following them around,as a viewer I keep having this done to me andi find it very off putting.

Our decor is fairly neutral and clean, kitchen and bathrooms are main rooms. Think about what you look for when viewing and do that with your own house.

I have also posted photos on here and got some good (and some ridiculous) advice.

Haha, tell me about the ridiculous stuff, I need a laugh!

Well, my house is nicely decorated (ok some may think bland but its how we like it) had kitchen done, bathroom was redecorated, all new flooring in the last 5 years. Everything has been done in the last 5 years as it was a real mess when we took it.

I was told that my kitchen was very 70's (was done 2 years ago and everyone I know loves my kitchen and always comments on it) and it needed ripping out.

The bathroom needed replacing, re-tiling, re-painting, new floor

All the carpets needed replacing

All the walls needed re-decorating

The back garden needed completely doing

I needed to sort the front out (and was told "its called kerb appeal" I am aware of the concept)

The front is half pebble dashed. I was told the front looks grim and needed completely redoing!

So basically, in order to sell I needed to rip out the kitchen and bathroom, re-floor every single floor, repaint every single room, re-do the front and back gardens and render the front of the house! I also pointed out that I have no money to spend on it.

I didn't do any of those things. I moved some of the things that people suggested needed putting away, put some things on plain walls to brighten it up, made sure it was clean and tidy and that's it.

All the viewers and estate agents have said how nice it is.

Hahahaha you mean you didn't meet the established twigs-and-pebbly-shit quota? :D

Ours was once neutral. Now it's mostly tatty and pretty dated. Not spending anything more than the £100 it's costing to put fresh vinyl in the kitchen. It looks quite good once it is tidied (as far as I can remember anyway) ...

I organised selling my DGPs house, plus have sold a couple of ours.

Basically, I cleaned and tidied like a mad thing, and scrubbed all the painted walls with sugar soap. I also put away any ornaments that were a bit too old fashioned - I didn't want it to feel like a 'granny house' when a young family would be coming to look round. I moved all the random furniture that made the house look cluttered into the garage. I also sanded down and repainted all the dodgy bits of woodwork.

The neighbours came round (from the identical semi next door) and commented on how spacious the house was!

I think that tidying and cleaning are the main things.

Get some simple bedspread or blankets and put them on the beds before viewings, immaculate beds super quick without having to change anything. Any last minute clutter into bin bags and sling them in the car. I used to put the dog and his bed in there too. Shiny sinks and clean lightswitches.
Also check the front door for shiny metalwork and lack of cobwebs (it's like spider city in our porch). watch the Phil Spencer reruns

Clean and tidy, and like somebody cares about it. You don't need twiggy shit, you don't need to paint and recarpet everywhere, but if your skirting boards are badly chipped, or if your curtain rails are hanging off, you might want to fix that kind of thing.

Fix anything broken. Paint/replace anything chipped and grubby. Make sure handles and lights work. Clean carpets and floors. Get rid of unnecessary clutter. Keep it tidy. Make it look as spacious as possible. Tidy the garden and make sure the agent takes flattering photos and emphasises the good points. Phew!

Put shit on the tops in the bathroom away. Just have the basics out, like toothbrush and hand wash. Hid all the cleanser, toner, pile cream, canesten, etc. Same goes for the bedroom. Just have the light and book on the bedside table