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

(346 Posts)
EmmaGransnet (GNHQ) Mon 24-Sept-18 09:58:59

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 grandchildren...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 have to say: “GNers, 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 GNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck
GNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

drewett93 Wed 10-Oct-18 16:24:33

Make sure all clutter is put away, so that viewers can get a clear picture in their mind of how they would have things if it was their home.
Clean clean and clean again, I hate viewing houses that are dirty and even if they don't buy it at least your house is clean.
Make sure your home smells fresh, I normally light a nice smelling candle a few hours before they are due to arrive or buy fresh flowers and have them in a nice vase.

LaneyPops Wed 10-Oct-18 16:26:27

We sold a few over the years, my advice would be to put it up for more than you want for it (people like to get a bargain and offer less), check out your estate agent - ring some of them up and see if they answer their phone!!!! Look at their other properties and see how well those are photographed and whether they sell or not in the time you are considering putting yours up for sale. NEVER sign anything without reading the small print (e.g. the full fee shall be paid if the vendor sells the property even if we dont introduce the client blah blah). Walk away from anyone who pressures you - tell them you need time to think about it before you sign.

After that its the usual advice give it good kerb appeal, it does not cost money to keep it tidy and smelling nice with a bit of a de-clutter but dont make it look clinical, it should still look like a loving home. We have had various pets over the years and its never put anyone off as we have always maintained cages and washed pets that were smelly. If you have pets its important to get that vac out (and pop a freshner in it).

Its best if there is a job that needs doing if you can afford it to get it done, as people assume it will cost a fortune to get any job done, and if they have a choice of houses they will usually end up going for the one that needs the least work.

Cost effective ways of making you house look better - buy light coloured curtains and bedding (they look fresher and cleaner and bounce more light around rooms), re-emulsion any paintwork that is looking drab and hire a carpet cleaner if your carpets are looking a bit dowdy (some of them have attatchments that can do your sofa too). You could also buy a rug and cushions (and remember you take your bedding, rugs and cushions with you so its not "lost" money).

Lastly, try to change any really dark decor - even if it means painting over wallpaper - some dark wallpapers really make a room seem dark. Just remembered we had a friend years ago who pulled up a carpet in his new home to find a witches pentagram painted onto the floorboards! - now that is mega dark!

pigglepaggle Wed 10-Oct-18 16:26:41

When selling declutter, declutter, declutter. Clear tops of wardrobes and kitchen units, clear under beds so the house doesn't look cramped for storage space.
Tidy up outside. Clean and freshen up doors and windows. Have a few hanging baskets and tubs. Make your house look attractive 'kerb appeal'

Minnibix Wed 10-Oct-18 16:29:29

Get rid of any clutter as an over cluttered house always looks smaller, fresh coat of paint and fresh bed linen (only kept for viewings) always worked well for me

feefeegabor Wed 10-Oct-18 16:34:11

Show your home in the best possible light - clean and declutter, spray a bit of air freshener around and make as much space as possible.

becky004 Wed 10-Oct-18 16:40:20

A fresh coat of paint throughout in neutral colours, garden cut and tidied. No clutter anywhere and bread baking in the oven so the house is filled with a homely smell.

MAForster Wed 10-Oct-18 16:52:36

Find a good local estate agent with the best track record for sales then take their advice.

zatuns Wed 10-Oct-18 16:56:21

My advice is invest in some neutral coloured bedding and bake some cakes or bread as the smell in the house will warm to buyers coming round

maryandbuzz1 Wed 10-Oct-18 17:00:12

I always make sure the house is squeaky clean and very tidy.
I have fragrant flowers and ensure the dog has gone out for a walk and hide his toys and bed.

Helsbells68 Wed 10-Oct-18 17:13:34

De-clutter as much as humanly possible, box unused items and store in attic or garage

sheilads105 Wed 10-Oct-18 17:15:29

Price it realistically - don't be too greedy.

prwilson Wed 10-Oct-18 17:17:55

Keep it clean and tidy.

rainbowvalley Wed 10-Oct-18 17:31:14

Make the house a clean canvas by stripping back on the personality you have put into it. Decorate with neutral colours clear any clutter (including kitchen worktops) to make it look bigger and brighter. It must appeal to all viewers and the trick is to make it look as appealing as possible by furnishing it with a few co ordinating accessories which will make it look fresh and cosy.

Lolamia91 Wed 10-Oct-18 17:40:17

Paint in neutral colours and try to make it look cosy and lived in but not busy.

hdh74 Wed 10-Oct-18 17:57:49

Clean it, declutter it, lick of white paint, make it smell nice.

cassey1 Wed 10-Oct-18 17:59:02

Make sure the front of the property looks inviting as first impressions count. Also make sure the rooms look spacious by clearing all clutter and personal items.

towser44 Wed 10-Oct-18 18:01:14

Definitely use a local, traditional estate agents rather than an online agent!

Misslayed Wed 10-Oct-18 18:10:07

Declutter and clean

bexs Wed 10-Oct-18 18:10:29

Looking around a new potential property, the key things I like to see when I walk through the door are all the little bonuses that take you by surprise!

Nice finishing touches to decorations, clean sides, open curtains to be able to see the views. As well as a warm/comfortable temperature and a nice smell (air freshener can never hurt)! All of these things do not cost extra but add value.

sophie56 Wed 10-Oct-18 18:21:09

I think it is important to have a clean, organised and well maintained home free from clutter. I have a clear out before moving, store items I rarely use in the attic and make sure the house is easy to keep clean and well aired. The garden should be neat and tidy and if possible have some colour in it. I highlight tings such as solid oak skirting boards, a pull down ladder for easy access to the attic etc.

Ikea1234 Wed 10-Oct-18 18:28:35

We've bought and sold over the years quite a few times and follow all the usual advice for selling our home, including kerb appeal, cleanliness (even down to removing hair from plugholes!) and tidy and weed the back garden. However, we let those rules go out the window when we buy. We do our homework on location, view it several times at various times of day/week, and always look past the decor, fresh sheets and furniture. Our current house was originally on the market for £275,000 (10 years ago now) but we paid £220,000. We got a bargain, and we knew it from day one. The next door neighbours has just sold for £470,000, so we're very happy!

Funkyferret Wed 10-Oct-18 18:53:21

Nothing would put me off if it was structurally sound, at the right price, with the right space in the right place, but then I'm not daunted by major renovations. Otherwise, I'd say declutter, clean and freshen up really simply with a vat of white/neutral paint. People generally want to put their own stamp on a property anyway.

priorslee Wed 10-Oct-18 19:17:27

It's a long time since we sold, but are planning to do so in the next 6 months. The tip that readily comes to mind for us is de-cluttering.

zinnia Wed 10-Oct-18 19:19:04

Declutter your home, keep the rooms simple and remove anything that is not needed to sell the room

Lisapaige24 Wed 10-Oct-18 19:26:56

De clutter
Freshen up the paint work with nice neutral colours
Make sure it’s clean and smells fresh
Nice neat garden easy maintenance
That’s what I look for when I view properties
You want people to think they can just move into a property then put there own stamp on to the place at a later point