Tips for house selling

[Whatinthelord]

So I’m putting my house on the market. I want to make it as attractive as possible (for an ugly ex council pebbledash place).

What are peoples tips for little bits and bobs you can do to make the home more appealing in photos and when being viewed?

I’ve already gone around and cleared each room, so it looks less cluttered and larger. I’ll be a making the outside look a bit nicer by hiding the bins and moving our trailer from right outside the living room window (where my annoying husband parks it constantly).

Any other easy tips to improve the saleability (is that a word) of a house?

My tip (in addition to stuff already said here) is to tidy away extension cables and wires; you want to give the impression there are plenty of sockets, discreetly tucked away behind furniture, not that the buyer will have to use extension cables or get loads of sockets put in.

On a similar note: clean off the finger marks on light switches; ditto the “small hands grub trail” on the staircase wall.

But broadly I agree right now you could sell anything for the right price without doing anything to it.

Given you have all be so helpful…

Any tips on what to look for when I view somewhere? So far I have thought of….

*condition of windows/doors/roof
*any obvs structural issues like cracks/ mould/ cracking plaster
*condition of bathroom and kitchen
*storage space

Any things that might not be so obvious.

We had loads of viewings where I prepped everything, tidied, made cafetierre coffee to make the house smell nice, make the beds without a single wrinkle etc.

One Saturday we were going out and didn't have any viewings booked in, so after 3 months of keeping the house spotless in case of viewings I didn't bother. We'd cooked a fry up in the morning so the kitchen was a tip with dirty washing up on the side, stinking of fry up, I'd stripped our bed and hadn't remade it. I had an underwear wash up on the airer in the spare room and we came home to find our cat had been sick twice on the landing and spare room. Half an hour later we had a call from the EA to say the viewing they'd done that morning (and had forgotten to tell us about) would like to make a full asking price offer.

OP, I'd be interested in what car parking was available, assuming you drive or have visitors who do and also, if owner is doing the viewing, ask about the immediate neighbours.
Ask why the vendor is selling too, as this may, or may not, alert you to things you hadn't considered.

Having viewed 2 houses this afternoon I’m much happier in the condition of my house for pictures and viewings.

I got an instant no feeling on one house and loved another but need to think on the amount of work needed.

Other possible things to look out for -

The location of trees, whether on or near the property, how big are they and where are their roots likely to spread to.

Nearness to amenities, bus stop, schools etc - may or may not be relevant.

Proximity to neighbours - front, back and both sides.

State of the pavements and the road the house is on, and whether the locality is strewn with litter, dog poo, or nice and clean-looking.

State of the path, driveway, garage, garden and outbuildings - how much may you need to spend on these?

I sold my house very quickly well over asking price last year. I did go a bit crazy with the house prep but it my case it paid off:
Clean like there is no tomorrow. Skirting boards, woodwork, walls, windows, the works. It makes a huge difference.
Declutter, but leave enough well chosen items to make the house look like a home.
Definitely get rid of family photos, and anything that doesn't 'belong' in the room (e.g. toys in the lounge).
Finish any outstanding DIY jobs that can be seen in photos and by viewers.
Have the house spotless for viewers: fresh flowers, posh shampoo and soap in the bathroom, fresh towels, lights and lamps all on, bins empty, windows open.
It was exhausting, and I'm pretty sure my OH thought I'd lost the plot - the low point was spending three hours arranging my DDs Sylvanian Families into carefully placed tableaus - but we sold our house for a price higher than our wildest expectations so it was well worth it.
For smells - Price's Open Window candles really do smell lovely and freshen up the air beautifully.

I forgot to mention outside - the garden also needs to be spotless, and don't forget the front, including any path and verges outside the house. It's the first thing people will see.

@BeautifulandWilfulandDead ha ha I love the dedication to silvanian families. I did something similar so the my sons Harry Potter figures after clearing all his other toys into his cupboard, just made it look better and like you could imagine a child playing there.

Anyone else tidy declutter their house and then wonder if they should just stay because it actually looks quite nice now?! my house has never been this tidy inside and out!