What little things to do before selling house

[Littletreefrog]

So we are going to put our house on the market. It isn't the best, there are some damp issues I cant afford to fix and it hasn't been decorated for a while (very tall ceilings so need someone to do it for me and cant really afford that either) so its basically going to have to be sold in the condition it is in even though I know that will probably put off some potential buyers.

But what little things can I do that will make the photos look nicer/make it seem a nicer place to buyers.

So far I have:
Decluttered to within an inch of my life.

I cant remove family photos as then the decorating will look even worse.
Removed furniture scratched by cats.
Obviously very thoroughly cleaned.
Removed things like slow cooker from worktop in kitchen so it looks like there is more space.
On viewing days all animals are being removed and litter trays removed so its less animally.

Is it worth buying new bedding? No one has matching bedding really as its mostly hand me downs so some cheap plain white bedding on each bed?

We have no plants inside as the cats eat them? Is it worth it or not really.

We only have a yard but I have some outdoor rugs and some nice chairs I can put out to make it look a bit nicer.

There is one bedroom wall that is missing skirting board is it worth fixing that?

Any help gratefully received.

I wouldn't. We sold a year ago, house sounds similar. The new owner has just ripped everything out. Feedback was about small garden, needs too much work, not about decoration.
Don't buy new duvets unless you want them ans will use them where you are moving to.

I would fix the skirting board. It's strange but when looking at new houses to buy the little things all weigh up, no matter how easy they are to resolve.

Also make sure your windows are clean and curtains are all open letting in as much light as possible. Makes rooms appear larger.

Kerb appeal - sweep and tidy the front. Get rid of any dead or decaying plants and leaves. If there’s not any flowering plants, buy a container and stuff something colourful in it. Same for the back.

I would fix the skirting board. I’d think, if they can’t be bothered to fix that, what else needs doing.

Air out the house!
If you have litter trays your house will stink (sorry, but it's true)

Fix the skirting. Cheap and easy.

Nice bedding and plants will help...would the pets eat fake plants?

Make sure windows are clean, bins emptied etc before viewings

You've done most of it. The price will get people through the doors but cleanliness goes a long way for actually selling.

I would get the skirting board fixed. Some will look at it and go "oh YouTube and a tenner will fix that", another will be thinking "ugh, 3 builders quotes and eight weeks and costing £200, who needs that hassle ". Get some pretty pots with summer flowers out front if you can. Wash windows AND doors.

Ask your most honest friend to come round and critique.

Your animals will smell so on viewing days bake a cake or bread before people arrive so that is the aroma permeating the house. Even just par-baked rolls will do the job.

You don't need to buy new bedding but make sure it's ironed.

Matching and ironed towels in the bathroom.

Garden - a few pot plants with brightly coloured geraniums will look brilliant.

Agree I'd fix the skirting board, anything on the surface that looks like the house is in disrepair or unloved would make me wonder what was going on underneath the surface you hadn't addressed.

Clean white sheets are really useful for photos and viewings, I had some freshly ironed ones and that I put on the photos and then put on my bed for every viewing so I didn't have to keep ironing. I took them off after viewings. White sheets make rooms look clean and airy.

I bought plants but it's totally up to you, I wouldn't spend a fortune. :)

I also got some white gloss and did some windowsills that were flaking so viewers didn't think the house or windows were letting in damp.

Just as you said though everything off the top of surfaces. I chased round the photographer and took everything unnecessary out of view. No bottles or towels in the bathroom no cooking oils or tea towels on display in the kitchen. (I even moved the toaster, free standing microwave and the bins out of the kitchen for the pics to create the illusion of more space) No laundry in the washing machine (I forgot to do this first time and had a full load on display and it annoyed me and retook it lol)

Good luck OP xx

Anyone who's willing to take on the damp issues is not going to be bothered by a bit of missing skirting, I suspect. As long as the place is absolutely sparkling clean - including things like door handles, light switches, etc - and there are no animal smells, then if it's appropriately priced and appropriately marketed, your house should fare no worse than any other. I echo the comment above about having all the windows open but that should be for quite a long while, every day, and you can get candles that remove animal odours (Price's do one). The listing should say very clearly and right upfront in the first sentence or two that the house needs some upgrading and is priced accordingly. And then make sure it really is!

Air the house and possibly give any carpet a wash with a carpet cleaner to freshen it up a bit. Carpets hang onto smells. You could hire one or borrow one from a friend or family member if they have one to save buying one.

Give windows, doors, walls a good clean before viewings. Look out for animal hair as it gets everywhere. Open curtains.

I would cheaply fix the skirting board. YouTube is your friend here.

I would say most of your buyers would be looking at resolving the damp and most people redecorate anyway so don't go too wild on redecorating. If the walls are really desperate you could buy some cheap white or cream paint.

Agree with @TheRoseTurtle. I find posters on Mn often have such conflicted etc attitudes about household cleanliness that they confuse selling a house with having it ‘visitor-ready’ for friends. Houses, unless they’re particularly quirky or a difficult sale, in an undesirable area, or in a sluggish market, need far less done to them than many Mners think, and I’ve sold lots in the UK and elsewhere.

Your first concern should be getting excellent photos and an accurate floor plan to get viewers in the door in the first place — and the description should clearly state that the property needs updating and is priced accordingly (as long as you have). Then making sure it’s tidy, clean and not smelly for viewings.

I’ve never done more than some paint retouching in areas where it was obviously worn/marked, and a good clean, and have always sold for well above asking price.