The Room Doctor*

You only get one chance to make a first impression, don’t blow it.

Before even booking a viewing at a property, most buyers will initially drive past the property first to decide if they like the look of the property, the surrounding area and check distances to local amenities.

Make the exterior of your property as attractive as possible.

Paint the front door and put out some plant tubs if you can. Pick up any litter from the front garden, tuck dustbins out of sight and if you live in a communal development, pick up and tidy any junk and old post.

Clean clean clean

Clean and clean again.

Give the property a good spring clean, have a thorough Hoover, clean fridges and ovens, give the impression that the house is  cherished and cared for. The use of scented household cleaners can also help to add a warm and inviting feel to your home.

Kitchens & bathrooms

You should pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms, as they can sell properties. 

You can transform tired kitchens quite inexpensively by replacing wonky drawers, 
replacing cupboard doors or chipped worktops, this will give the room a ‘new feeling’. 

In the bathroom, bleach stained grouting and replace an old shower curtain, buy new towels, bath mats and bathing products to match the colour tones of the room.

DIY

Basic DIY can save you thousands although badly executed DIY can also lose you thousands.

Be careful not to take on jobs you feel you cannot complete and ask a professional for advice if needed.

Clear gutters of old leaves, paint over old water stains on walls and touch up any scuff marks on doors and walls. 

You want to give the impression that your home has been cared for. 

De-clutter

De-personalise your home while viewings are taking place. 

Potential buyers have to be able to imagine themselves in your space. 

Remember you are selling your property, not your home.

This may not be the way you choose to live, but it allows the viewer to visualise themselves in the property. 

Show off the size of the rooms by clearing away or storing surplus furniture and the pile of newspapers by the armchair.

Make the most of what you have got. 

Put the toilet seat down and do the washing up.

Pets & odours

Not all viewers are animal lovers. 

The viewer cannot fully concentrate on what the property has to offer with dogs jumping up or whilst keeping one eye on the rat/gerbil/snake in the corner, it will be the first thing they notice and the last thing they remember. If you have pets, make sure they are outside whilst viewings take place and stash all pet paraphernalia such as dog baskets and litter trays away.

In properties where smokers are allowed, open windows to ventilate the property before viewings.

Clean windows

Remember, clean windows let in more light which in turn will make rooms feel more spacious and inviting.

Lighting

In darker areas or during the winter months, lamp lighting not only brightens darker rooms but also adds a warm, ambiance to the room.  

Clean hallways

Make sure all entrances are uncluttered and welcoming. 

Clear away coats, football/work boots, bikes and other items that could turn buyers off. 
Try and make it feel light and airy, you can often enhance this space by placing a mirror at eye level.

Keep it neutral

Few potential buyers like dark patterned carpets, they make the room feel smaller. 

The same can be said for elaborate colour schemes, keep your colours neutral and add splashes of colour to the room with soft furnishings.

Sell the lifestyle

Ensure that the room has a clear function and purpose. 

Play up the existence of a dining room by clearing away all the children’s homework and games. 
A third bedroom could be a bedroom, study or dressing room, but not all three at once. 

Organise some storage systems so that the principal function of the room remains clearly defined.

Over improvement

Before spending a fortune on any part of your home, think about what other houses in your neighbourhood are worth. 

It could become difficult to recover the investment if similar properties close to yours are selling for less.

Knocking through walls

Creating more space in one room at the expense of another may actually devalue your home. 

Two bedrooms rather than one with a large en-suite would suit more buyers. Ask us for help!

Poor maintenance

Keep on top of all the little jobs in your home. 

If you know you have got to get something fixed, fix it.  Buyers will try to subtract the cost of anything they can when making offers.  Furthermore by giving the perception that your home has not been cared for, they could wonder what they are not seeing.