How to sell an empty flat?

[NorthSouth25]

Hi there. I’m trying to sell a small 2 bed flat in London which is now empty as the tenants moved out. I don’t want to put new tenants in as I really want a quick sale and can’t commit to a six month contract (plus I have no furniture). Obviously as it’s empty you can see all the small cracks etc but it’s in good condition and good decor. Any tips on how to sell fast? Thanks in advance

If it has any kind of outdoor space,spend any spare money you have making that look lovely eg pot plants, cafe chairs and table. Or if you don't, get the estate agent description to mention proximity to parks and green spaces.
Get the paperwork in order, anything to do with the leasehold or (gulp) cladding.
Otherwise it's all about pricing it realistically, I think. Good luck!

Well you could fix any cracks easily with pollyfiila - there's no point in losing a possible sale when the fix is so easy. A lick of paint and the jobs done.
We sold an empty flat recently. We redecorated, carpets were cleaned professionally, one was replaced. Windows cleaned, curtains washed. Kitchen and bathroom scrubbed. In the photos it looked very fresh and clean, which it was - literally ready to move into. It did sell fairly quickly considering it was an 'over 60s' flat, which can be terrible to sell. I have seen some rather grubby looking places on Right move, and, even if the property is empty, the thought that you still might have to do a thorough clean through the place could be off putting.

I think an empty place is better than tenanted! It will look bigger, and allow prospective buyers to visualise their own stuff inside. You need to fill in minor cracks and repaint. It's just polyfilla or similar, and then white paint. I'd also advise getting a professional wash the carpet, as a PP said - it works wonders.

It’s price, price it for a quick sale and it will go quick

Thanks so much everyone. @Brownlongearedbat @bumbl3 do you think the small cracks would fill easy enough? I’ve never done that before and there are a few!

Unfortunately the communal area is very grubby. The tenants in the flat above have a dog with very muddy paws so even when I go over to vacuum it’s muddy again within hours

I’m def up for the lock of paint though. It was too stressful being a landlady and it sort of happened by accident. Long story.

You can definitely do it! I paid someone to do it when I was selling last year, but tried it myself on a discreet part of our new house and realised how silly I was - so easy! You need some filling knives too (see link www.screwfix.com/p/harris-continental-filling-knives-3-piece-set/41601), for getting the polyfilla to be as flat as possible. Then let it dry, then sand, then paint.

It's really normal to get movement cracks (I'm assuming you're talking about hairline cracks rather than gaping holes), especially in old buildings, and this is how they're filled cosmetically.

Lick of paint, carpets professionally cleaned. Clean the windows inside & out. I’d almost be tempted to paint & add some plants to the common area too, if it’s small, just to brighten up the first impression.

Make sure there are bulbs in all the lights, and soft/bright ones. Not the depressing cool white ones.

I think unfurnished is good - it will look bigger!

Clean & refresh any patio area with new plants etc, and maybe even lay turf if there is sad grass.

I agree with others. If you are selling unfurnished and you want a decent but fair price, you need to give it a really good spruce up. Communal areas are what they are but rent a rug doctor for carpets (or replace with cheap, developer’s carpet if they are shot), paint the lot white, fill any little cracks/gaps and maybe a bit of new silicone in the kitchen/bathroom if necessary. Small touches but they go a long way.

Price it realistically and it will sell quick. Empty flat is much more attractive than a messy rented flat

Put the heating on a timer to come on for an hour or two every day to make sure it doesn't smell cold and damp.

Clean carpets so there are no smells (more noticeable when flat is empty)

Would not bother painting - new owners may have their own views on colour etc

Have all info re service charge, leasehold changes, management fees etc ready to go - if there is a management pack, order it now.

Its a sellers market. If the location is good and the price is realistic it will sell fast enough. Good luck.

We bought our flat empty. It was much easier than trying to sort out a chain.

Thanks so much everyone. I’ve been scrubbing and vacuuming like a mad women yesterday and there are two viewings today.

Haven’t done the polyfilla/ paint yet but hopefully at the weekend.

Buy a tub of polyfilla not a tube - it’s SO much easier

@MichaelAndEagle

Its a sellers market. If the location is good and the price is realistic it will sell fast enough. Good luck.

A flat in London? Is it?

@NorthSouth25

Thanks so much everyone. I’ve been scrubbing and vacuuming like a mad women yesterday and there are two viewings today.

Haven’t done the polyfilla/ paint yet but hopefully at the weekend.

If you can get in ahead of the viewings to mop / fabreeze / quickly tidy the communal areas I would do this.

Good luck - where in London is it?

Hi @ESGdance the flat in just off Crouch Hill. It’s in a lovely street and in good condition. Just hope it goes soon as it’s such a stress!

For filling cracks I recommend a filler called One Strike.

I find it much better than Polyfilla.