Property pro shares 20 insider tricks to make your home stand out and sell fast
As the housing market picks up, we share 20 insider tips to help you make a successful sale.
Homeowners who want to speed up the sale of their home don’t have to spend a lot of money on expensive renovation projects.
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With a few simple adjustments, you can instantly make your apartment more attractive, making buyers more likely to make an offer.
And there’s never been a better time to sell.
The UK is currently experiencing a housing boom, with Rightmove reporting a 19 per cent increase in enquiries since the Bank of England cut the base rate by 0.25 per cent in early August.
But before you put your home on the market, it’s important to improve its curb appeal.
“It’s about stepping outside yourself and looking at your home through the eyes of the buyer,” says property expert Louise Bastock of comparison site Finder.
“Beautiful homes can be ruined by a flashy statement door, or too much clutter. But presenting it as a blank canvas changes the game.”
Here, Louise shares 20 tips that are guaranteed to attract buyers.
UP YOUR GADGET GAME
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Clear away clutter in your kitchen cupboards and put your nicest appliances up front.
Airfryers, Nutribullets and stylish coffee makers look sleek and modern.
By showing them, you subtly influence the buyers, who will imagine how they would use the gadgets in their new home.
PLAY SWEET MUSIC
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If you are bothered by noise at home, such as traffic or airplanes flying overhead, put on some music.
Choose a soothing and moderate sound, and make sure it’s not too loud. Otherwise, people might wonder what you’re trying to hide.
PARK OUTSIDE YOUR NEIGHBOURS’ GARAGE
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If your car has seen better days, you can take a look at it during a viewing.
If there’s an old junker parked outside your door, potential buyers may judge your home – no matter how smart it is – and think, “I don’t want to live here.”
Throw away the trash
First impressions count, so having a bunch of ugly bins by the front door is a no-go.
Better to keep them in the shed or garage.
By hiding them away, you show buyers that you take good care of your property, and everyone wants to inherit a beloved place.
REMOVE EXTRA ORNAMENTS
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Knick-knacks often have sentimental value, but it’s best to leave your personality behind when selling your home.
When a house is filled with ornaments and unusual decorations, the buyer has to make an extra effort to imagine it as their own home. So hide that faux fur tiger rug in a closet.
SELL A NEW LIFESTYLE
If there’s a fancy tennis court near you, leave some rackets behind.
It gets buyers thinking about the fantastic new lifestyle in their new home.
And if you live on the coast, you can leave a paddle by the door. That can help them imagine what it would be like to be out on a boat for days.
CLEANING UP POOP
If you have a dog, check to see if your four-legged friend has left any “presents” on the lawn.
Foxes can also leave a mess, so even if you don’t have a pet, check your surroundings for any nasty surprises before you go out to see them.
LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR BUYER
Contact your real estate agent and find out who your potential buyers are.
Knowing even a small detail about a buyer’s lifestyle can influence the sale.
If you employ athletic buyers, a strategically placed yoga mat may be a solution.
It’s about adapting your environment to it.
SAY NO TO GNOMES
You may find them cute, but many people find garden gnomes scary or tasteless, so they’re best banished to the shed.
Stone gargoyles can also be off-putting, so hide them behind a bush until the buyers are out of sight.
WELCOME FEATHERED FRIENDS
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Nothing looks sadder than an empty bird feeder hanging from a tree. If you have one in your yard, make sure it is filled and looks like it is in use.
It gives your home a healthy appearance.
However, be careful with bird droppings on the garden furniture!
TAKE A SNIFF TEST
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We are used to smells in the home, but potential buyers often find them off-putting.
Check each room for unpleasant odors, or ask a friend to do so.
Chances are they notice things that you don’t.
Scented candles can help, but make sure they’re not too overpowering.
THROW AWAY THAT MANKY MAT
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Old bath and shower mats spread unpleasant odors and look unattractive.
Buy a cheap replacement and throw the musty one away.
Replacing old towels with a matching set will create a uniform look and give your bathroom a fresh hotel atmosphere.
MOW THE NEIGHBOURS’ LAWN
A friend of mine once didn’t want to make an offer on a house because the neighbor’s yard was so overgrown.
To increase the attractiveness of your home, you can offer to clean up the outside space if it is messy.
It can increase the value of your home and every buyer naturally hopes that he or she will have nice new neighbors.
REPAINT YOUR FRONT DOOR
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Buyers are drawn to muted colours, so give flashy front doors a lick of paint – preferably white or a stylish dark blue or green.
A smart front door gives a safe feeling. So make sure your front door looks sturdy.
If your cat flap is broken, replace it.
EMBRACE THE POWER OF PLANTS
Recent research shows that plants can help homeowners sell their homes faster.
They bring life to your home and some, like aloe vera, can even help absorb unpleasant odors.
But fake plants make your home look like an office.
Remove pet hair
Some buyers are put off by the idea of a pet living in the home, so ask your neighbours to look after your pets during viewings.
Even if you’re a pet-friendly buyer, you should still vacuum thoroughly and lint-roll the upholstery to remove typical dog and cat hair.
SQUEEZING A LEMON
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Limescale makes taps look dull and old-fashioned, but a dash of lemon juice can restore their shine in no time.
It also keeps your bathroom smelling fresh, unlike chemical cleaners that can make your home smell like a gym.
Apply the juice, leave it on for ten minutes and then wipe it off.
REPLACE YOUR CHAIR
A worn, stained toilet seat is guaranteed to be an unpleasant experience for buyers.
Replace the old one with a cheap version and your throne will instantly look more attractive.
However, avoid black toilet seats, as dust and water stains will be visible on them.
REMOVE SIGNS OF SMOKING
Non-smokers are critical of cigarette odors and even a clean, empty ashtray can be unpleasant.
Even if you don’t smoke indoors, pots half full of cigarette butts and rainwater on the patio are an unsightly sight.
REMOVE DIRTY STAINS
We only notice how dirty our skirting boards are when we clean them.
Although we may be used to those scuff marks, buyers focus mainly on them and make a judgement about cleanliness.
Buy a magic eraser from the hardware store and whiten them until they pop.
