Property/DIY
Best "House Doctor" tips before viewings start?
Pannacotta · 26/08/2007 14:04
Our house is just about to go on the market and due to being quite sleep deprived (3 month old baby!), I can't really remember what we did last time we sold and what makes the most difference.
Obviously we will keep the house clean and tidy and decluttered (as far as we can with a todder and baby) but what are your best tips on how to make a house look its best, a la Anne Maurice?!
TIA
Twinklemegan · 27/08/2007 23:58
My tuppenceworth:
a buyer will not buy your house if they can see that you live in it
don't assume anything - apparently a buyer doesn't realise an upstairs room is a bedroom unless there's a bed in it
a buyer does not want to do anything, not a sausage, to the house, ever
a buyer truly and honestly believes that they are buying your furniture and finishing touches
a buyer is fundamentally pretty stupid
(can you tell my house is currently on the market?)
Isababel · 28/08/2007 00:40
Remove all the bottles of shampoo, shower gels, used soaps and wet towels from the bathroom.
Air the rooms before the viewers are due to arrive.
Keep baby stuff well organised, and as out of the way as you possibly can. Perhaps the buyers are looking for a house to start a family and may not want to see that you are moving because you need more space after the new baby arrival.
If you are having a viewer I would recommend one of you to show the house and the other to take the baby for a walk. I confess that I went to had a look at a house where they had a baby and TBH I didn't feel as if I could relax and try to see if the house was the one for us, mum was playing with baby in the best room of the house that I only looked in passing as I felt as if I were intruding/interrupting something important.
If you have pets, hide their plates away. Actually hide their existance as much as you can.
Twinklemegan · 28/08/2007 00:45
You know, I don't want anyone completely stupid to buy my house. What if they can't understand the buying process? Or mess up their mortgage application?
Yep, I think from now on, they can take us as we are. People with no common sense/imagination/ability to read particulars need not apply.
Oh I wish we weren't desperate to sell, then I wouldn't have to give these idiots the time of day
Rant over!
Pannacotta · 28/08/2007 11:35
Have to admit I am not about to empty all our baby/kids stuff into the car/cupboards. Its a family house and we still live here so they will have to take us as they find us to some extent, but it will be as clean as poss and much cleanr/tidier than usual....
stealthsquiggle · 28/08/2007 11:40
Clean windows and mirrors.
Get a friend to walk around and tell you about the things which you are so used to that you don't notice them any more!
Open windows for a while before they come (and then shut them again!) - fresh air makes the world of difference
WaynettaSlob · 28/08/2007 11:40
Have they taken the photos yet? When we had our first lot of photos done our bed looked really messy, so for the second lot I put fresh linen on just before they arrived to take the pics, and my god it makes a difference!
Do you have a car? If so (and assuming it's not parked right outside your door) then dump all your pushchairs and crap in that - it means the hall is clear and that gives a nice impression.
Given that you are going to be moving, would it be possible to box up stuff you won't be using over the next few months (e.g. books, paddling pools, excess photos etc) and store them in a garage or shed or somewhere? Or if you can afford it hire one of those storage places)
Katsma · 28/08/2007 15:10
Oh you're so right Waynetta. You're going to have to pack everything up anyway, so why not start asap.
I packed away everything that I knew I wouldn't need (photo frames, ornaments, most of the DVDs and books, etc). It gives you a head start on the packing and made my tiny house look enormous.
I put everything in the loft, and in my experience, viewers can't be bothered looking in the loft anyway.
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