Making home look inviting

beemuzed

I'd have to agree with the sense of smell mentioned above, when you live in a place you don't notice the lingering smell of last night's curry - but it can hit visitors. Fresh, bread, coffee - much more appealing!
Looking at property to buy...don't forget to check on the neighbourhood in general, shops, schools, general amenities etc.
Some houses look great ... but could you see your family living there?

KarensKraftyBits

I think by not having too much clutter it would be more welcoming and maybe making sure the room has enough light.
Making sure the rooms smell nice.
The front of the house making sure it looks tidy.
Cant really think of anything else.
xxx

amanda40

Use your car! - My friends did that to store the clutter they couldn't fit in the cupboards or under the bed... When the viewers walked by the car though it was filled to the brim, with coats, schoolbags and all the other things that lay about etc. Maybe have a wee declutter before the viewers start would be good. ( if you are a horder like me that is)

Nobleck

Apparently freshly baked bread is a real seller , as are some simple flower arrangements. And as most people have also said make sure you de-clutter the house and tidy up the garden as well.

Sarahsaver

I am sure most people are wise to the freshly baked bread thing now!
It certainly would not fool me.
My house had been empty for 5 years when I saw it and fell in love with it, completely unfurnished, dusty everywhere, no kitchen, no carpets, no heating, wires sticking out of the walls...It may have increased in value 2.5 times in 7 years;)
I know exactly where the house doctor ideas are coming from but it really depends what the seller is looking for. And we rarely know that;)

Becles

I viewed one house and the lady had all her bills handy, to show us what she paid for utilities and council tax. I thought this was a good idea, especially for people on tight budgets.

It's just a shame the house was minging! The kitchen was littered with filthy dishes and she opened the oven to take a casserole out and it was all thick black burnt on grease. She said at this point she was leaving the cooker!

The rest of the house was full of clutter. I had to climb over a box of junk to get up the stairs, and the bathroom tiles were black with mould. I didn't see one of the bedrooms as she opened the door and a teenage boy shouted "f*** off, I'm busy" :eek:

Needless to say, I didn't buy it!

amanda40

SIL was selling her house - she had warned teenage son to wash up after his tea and leave the kitchen tidy, She was delighted when showing the viewers round that he had done just that - that was until the viewer opened the cutlery drawer and there was his dirty plate, cutlery and left overs sittig on top of the cutlery tray........

Nicki

Some great ideas thanks!

Peartree

This is more about what to look for than what to do in your own home.

I bought my own house six years ago despite nasty wallpaper and swirly carpets, not just because of its proportions and large garden, but also because it had clearly been well maintained and, even though most of the fittings weren't to my taste, all the work had been done to good quality and I knew all I'd have to do was superficial. It made me feel confident that money had been spent to keep the house sound.

Recently, I looked at many houses with a friend who was moving. On the experience of this, I'd say beware of the House Doctored house. Generally the effect is achieved with the quick and nasty (although we've all been guilty of it to sell!). On the face of it, it may look like something you can move straight into but you're just as likely to have to completely redecorate again within a couple of years as you are if go for something more outdated. A house with a nice neutral carpet may look nice but a nasty nylon job won't last five minutes so you're in exactly the same situation as you would be if you bought the house with the nasty patterned carpet you hate. Some of the finishes on the House Doctoring were shocking, they hadn't even bothered to sand the woodwork before 'neutralising' it, cracks weren't filled in, etc. And beware the nice neutral painted over tiles - they'll be peeling soon after you move in!

On a first visit, try and blind yourself to the decoration. Look at the roof, the brickwork and the pointing. Look at how well the exterior paint has been maintained - you can see the difference between a quick coat over dodgy paint and a house where the paintwork has been regularly maintained. Look at the quality of the kitchen units inside - it's easy just to swap over doors if you don't like them. Look for bulges and bumps in the walls, particularly under windows. Look at the quality of the doors, handles, taps, switches, fixings. Be cheeky and open and close cupboard doors, turn on taps and see what the water pressure is like - a pathetic shower is something you may not be able to live with!

The other thing to consider is the neighbours and the neighbourhood. I knew the one thing I couldn't live with was noise. Go back and see the house in the evening when next door's TV is going to be on and the kids are home and see what it's like. Drive around the neighbourhood at different times of day.
It's the biggest purchase you ever make - so what if you get arrested for loitering!

Peartree









The whole House Doctor thing was very much in evidence but very badly executed. A neutral carpet may make the look nice but a cheap nasty nylon carpet will need replacing very quickly.

Nile

Hello Nicki

Your thread has useful tips and information that will help people in the 'House Buying, Renting, Selling & Property Prices' board, so I'll move it across.

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

Regards

Nile