What are your top tips for selling a home? - £300 voucher to be won

[EmmaMumsnet]

NOW CLOSED

If you’ve sold your home before, or nosed around someone else’s, you’ll know that first impressions count. There’s a load of advice out there on how to get your house market-ready but Purplebricks wants to hear from you with your top tips for selling and what you look for when you view houses.

If you have children...how do you hide store all the toys?! What about redecorating? Is there a go-to paint colour? Maybe you do small things like having fresh bedding and flowers for house viewings? Or do you clean clean clean and clean again?

Here’s what Purplebricks has to say: “MNers, let’s talk kerb appeal. What gets you going or just gets your goat when you’re looking round a potential new property? Have you got any advice you could share on how to present your property for maximum impact? Share it with us.”

So, whatever your tips are for selling, share them on the thread below and everyone who comments will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

[Almostthere15]

Do some trial pictures, even just with your mobile and then see what sticks out and fix it (this is what convinced me I had to iron the bedding!) Likewise you'll see the good bits which you can emphasise.

Fresh air before a viewing and a good clean every time, making sure that sinks, bins and toilets are sparkling and not stinky. Scents are so personal that I would steer clear of too much, but a subtle diffuser is fine, just not clashing.

I never minded children's toys, but it sounds as if people do.

[daniel1996]

invest in new towels for the bathroom, a fluffy clean bath mat, new cushions for the sofa, and a new duvet for your bed, your home will look loved, and a home from home. Give your carpets a deep clean, declutter your drawers, cupboards and bedrooms, this will make rooms look larger and more airy. Finally add flowers or a scented candle in each room.

[36degrees]

If the property you're selling is vacant, pop round and give it an air every few days if you can. It's surprising how quickly houses can get that 'stale' smell.

[Stinkbomb]

De clutter - put stuff in the car if necessary.
Keep as neutral and clear as poss while still defining each area.
Welcoming, homely & calm - especially bathroom & kitchen.

[daisyduke66]

Fresh white paint!....makes everything brighter, cleaner and just look better - little touch ups make a huge instant impression. Fresh coffee on the go and freshly baked bread in the oven - ah those homely touches! ;)

[Montydoo]

First impressions are everything, so clean your windows and doors, cut your lawns, add pots of flowers around your home. When the vendors come inside, do not come across as too pushy, and let them ask any questions about local schools, buses and shops.
Obviously declutter and dust, I personally love reed diffusers as they look classier and give off a subtle fragrance.

[anotherBadAvatar]

They say people make up their minds within a minute or two of entering a house. That’s what you need to tap in to. So

1. Kerb appeal- unfortunately you may not have much say if next door’s sofa is out in the street, or if you live on a road with lots of traffic. You can make sure your house shines like a beacon though with blooming plant pots, a lick of paint to peeling door or window frames and a good scrub of the windows. No dirty net curtains please!
   

1. Entering the house- is your hallway as light as it can be? If not, make sure lamps and lights are on. Where do you put coats and shoes? Don’t leave any by the front door because it suggests there’s no storage. If you have a porch, make sure all the kids scooters/prams etc are in the boot of your car or the garage. Where is your eye drawn to as you enter the house? What rooms can you see into? If you’re not planning on showing them first, close the door so you can take people to your most impressive downstairs room first. I don’t believe in saving the best for last; if their minds will be made up quickly, then you want to wow them straight away on your fabulous kitchen-diner, any room which are less than optimal (a tiny 3rd bed or dim living room) will be seen as acceptable compromises to get the house with the amazing “x” room.
   

1. Ask a friend- if you have a friend or family member you trust and won’t fall out with, ask them to come over. Does the house have a smell? (you won’t be able to smell your house after so long). Move pets out for viewings. Clean carpets and soft furnishings. Light candles. Open windows. If it’s just too much hassle to clear animals out for each viewing, then think about an open day so you only have to clean once.
   

1. Toys! Get your kids to ruthlessly thin them out (maybe under the bribe of a new toy once the house has sold). Get storage for anything you have left. Baskets from eBay or Ikea kallax can hide tons away.
   

1. Finishing touches - redecorate? Not necessarily, but touch up scuffs and marks to give your house a fresher feel. If, however, you have an erm... unusual taste in decor, then tone it down a bit, and if that means repainting walls, then you’ll have to bite the bullet. Otherwise, you’ll have to accept that people’s first impressions won’t be great, and they’ll be looking for reasons TO buy your house, rather than reasons TO NOT buy your house (does that even make sense!). Declutter, fresh flowers, clean towels and white bedding.

[PippiLongstocking01]

Before putting the property on sale I think it’s sensible to declutter and have a big spring clean.

I would always recommend the estate agent shows the potential buyers around as I have always felt awkward when the current owners are in the property or are showing me around as I tend to ask lots of questions about how long the property has been on the market, why they are selling, what the onward chain situation is. I think sometimes it’s easier to ask the estate agent as I wouldn’t want to be so blunt to the current owner!

Little things I look for are whether the light switches have been polished, I look to see if skirting boards have been dusted, I look at the window seals for signs of mould, and also check under sinks for bad smells or signs of a previous leak. Although I look at these things it’s more to give me an idea of how well cared for the property is, it wouldn’t necessarily put me off buying.

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

Honestly I think you have to sell the lifestyle. Emphasise it is a happy home where people have loved living. So a few kids pictures pinned up and toys left out in the garden is absolutely fine. People need to be able to visualise themselves in your home. No one wants to buy a house from a miserable person who looks like they hate their life.

[Changingagain]

If you have a lot of stuff in your storage spaces, try and get someone else to store a few boxes for you for a bit if you can. I think it can even be better to have boxes sat out in the open than filling the storage space. If the airing cupboard, etc. are crammed full it looks like there's no storage space no matter how much stuff you've actually managed to fit in there.

Make sure everything that should be shiny is, i.e. taps, handles, etc. not just mirrors and windows as it gives a general impression that the place is cleaner.

If you aren't getting any viewings, change estate agent.

If you're going to do your own viewings, stay neutral and remember they may not like the same things as you. We viewed a house once where the vendor raged about how great the all night neighbourhood parties were!

[beenandgoneandbackagain]

Obviously clean and de-clutter.

And remember that you are selling a lifestyle, not a house. People need to visualise themselves and their family living in your house, so a few artfully arranged bits and pieces will help, e.g. leaving a child's drawing on an easel, or leaving some magazines aimed at your target market lying around.

Visit show homes and steal some of their ideas.

And yy to the pp who said to iron the bedding. You can do it with an extension cord and a steam iron whilst it's on the bed.

[SpikyCactus]

Kerb appeal is important. Tubs of plants make a big difference. Even if it’s winter you can still have tubs of evergreens.

[movinggoalposts]

We took up offers of help to get our house ready over a weekend. We were exhausted but we sold to our first viewers. Here’s what we recommend:

Put garden clutter away
Unclog gutters
Repair or replace broken fences
Prune bushes and trees
Lawns need mowing
Entrances require painting

Be ruthless inside (donate or recycle)
Rejig rooms to look bigger
Invest to recoup e.g. paint and rugs
Clean windows and paintwork
Keep floors and surfaces sparkling
Smile when you show someone round

[Gynlais]

Kerb appeal really important, make sure windows and front door are clean and well maintained. Garden well kept with shrubs and flowers in pots. Decorate if required and paint walls in a neutral colour. Deep clean house and get rid of any clutter. Invest in new bedding ,towels and fresh flowers.

[Ashhead24]

Make sure it's clean and tidy. The only one I was completely put off when viewing was very messy and carpets were thick with dig hair.

[Anj123]

Bake a cake and make some coffee to make the house smell homely!

[Cotswoldmama]

Make sure everything’s tidy and also don’t be home during viewings. People relax more when they’re not being watched by the current owners.

[flamingtoaster]

Walk towards your house and all round inside and write down everything that could make the house look better. Then declutter, clean everything thoroughly - windows inside and out, shampoo any carpets which are looking tired, Paint anywhere which is looking dirty or worn. Clear surfaces and polish them - make sure mirrors, the shower door, taps, worktops in kitchen are clear and stain free. Everything which can shine should be! If possible box up some of your possessions and store them with a friend or in temporary storage.

[mostlydrinkstea]

Kittens.

A basket of kittens in the first room the prospective viewers will see. OK not everyone likes kittens but quite frankly would you want to sell your house to anyone who is unmoved by their little furry feet and perky ears?

We had a cottage that had rising damp, falling damp,and penetrating damp. It wos kittens wot sold it.

[billybear]

declutter big time. bins done.open windows let fresh air in. clean places you dont do very often door frames/light switches door grooves on floor. weed garden and tidy every room

[fuzzywuzzy]

Deep clean everything, give the rooms a lick of paint if it’s been a while since you last decorated.

Declutter but don’t totally empty rooms, make sure furniture and things is arranged so that viewers can get a sense of how they’d make it home.

But seriously clean the house. We didn’t put in an offer on one house which we loved in pictures as it was so dirty, they had lipstick marks on walls and the fitted oven was filthy and streaky from just looking at it from a distance. We would have needed to get cleaners in us we bought the house and also redecorate asap.

The house we bought was so clean, we didn’t have to do any cleaning on move day just get our stuff in.

[spinabifidamom]

I went to see another apartment near my office today. Immediately I rejected it because it was messy and small. Initially I was impressed by the property in question. But the paint on the walls was chipped and coming off too.

Seriously do clean up beforehand. Especially if potential buyers are considering buying it. Also make sure pictures accurately reflect the property up for sale.

[Hopezibah]

First impressions definitely count so imagine seeing your house with fresh eyes for the first time - does the drive need weeding? Indoors its time to declutter loads - after all once you've sold your house you don't want to take anything unnecessary with you so it's far better to declutter first! I try to make each room look as clean and clear as a hotel room with just a few homely pieces of decor.

[del2929]

get rid of things you dont intend to take with you- de clutter-

white walls are always a hit

[tigercub50]

Everyone else has put what I was going to put but definitely another vote for painting right through. We had living room, hall, stairs & landing done in magnolia. I actually enjoyed getting the house ready & it had never been so clean & tidy!