Only freedom will do

Karmacat

I'm with everyone else on the air freshener and the slate heart - no

Grout - yes, I'd do it, actually.

Bathroom towels - put them out, but fold them so you can still see the towel rail

Bowl of fruit - yes

Remember that nearly everyone knows about this stuff now. Even at the end of the 90s, when I was selling a house, I told the first viewer (who bought it!) that I was dying for a cup of ground coffee, but I didn't want the smell in the house because it would seem too staged

smallholdingsister

*blows raspberry at Ed*

ourcornercottage

with reference to fragrances id avoid manmade, I have always had lilys in the house when selling, a bunch from asda once a week/fortnight and they give off a lovely natural smell and look nice too. You can tell MrsE they are for her too to win a few brownie points! If you use anything like a breadmaker, just happen to have it on when the people are coming round although I wouldn't do this specially.

Personally I would do the majority of the things that you said, most buyers have no vision at all and just want to move in as is. I few hours spent touching up the paintwork/grouting can add 1000's and save time. Everyone on here is probably a more adventurous than average mr and mrs joe public id say.

Declutter everything out of sight as it makes the rooms seem bigger than they are and if they are in need use mirrors, make all rooms neutral with a bit of personality in the finish not the slate heart but a splash of colour with a cushion on the sofa. Something natural.

Set each room us as to the intended use of the room. If you have a study switch it back to a bedroom as a 2 bed is better than 1 bed and a study. If you have a dining room put a table and chairs in it. buying a cheap bed or table could add 1000's to your offer prices. You can use smaller furniture to give the idea of more room. Borrow/swap/store furniture with friends/family for a few weeks. You might not mind tripping over that huge coffee table but others make it seem like a small room as you "cant even fit a coffee table in!"

my final suggestion is that you let the agents show the people round rather than you do it.

I've sold in days every time using these things tactics together with having a reasonably attractive price.

edinburgher

Just trying to use my home selling brain, which doesn't come naturally to a man

I guess I'll need to chuck the air fresheners then, at least the slate heart was 99p from the W0rks and can probably be gifted to a female relative or friend.

ourcornercottage

edinburgher wrote: »

at least the slate heart was 99p from the W0rks and can probably be gifted to a female relative or friend.

I brought a few of these for miniOCC to write a message on for nanny and aunties for christmas. Maybe a handprint or footprint from the little one. Cute and a squillion babysitting points in the bag for you.

newgirly

How about a yankee candle -clean cotton is their best seller and just smells like fresh dried outside washing, blow out before they arrive so they don't think you are trying too hard! I have to say i think lilies are a love or hate smell, they are quite powerful.

Watty1

Totally agree with the views here - avoid the air fresheners - if it is a nice day open the windows. We bought here when the double doors were opened onto the garden and didn't notice the absolute stink of dogs!! When we bought the place the first thing we did more or less was lift the carpets to get rid of it!
Cutsy touches look too staged, but flowers and candles can look genuine.
Clean decluttered is definitely the way to go - again - here they had decluttered so much that even the kitchen looked spacious - it was tiny till we extended but - decluttered it looked nice.
Will you be doing the showing around? If you are I think the chatter is as important - how nice the area is /where you go for a great breakfast / whatever - selling the idea of living in the flat.

smallholdingsister

[IMG]http://i932.photobucket.com/albums/ad169/AlchemillaMSE/2015-08-21 11.10.28_zpszhkg57jn.png[/IMG]
So the hearts are naff?

edinburgher

I consider a lot of decoration to be naff, with the exception of paintings and a few family photos. I thought that other people like hearts, fluffy cushions, checked !!!! and 'vintagey' nonsense. Maybe Rightmove is clouding my judgement :rotfl:

Karmacat

They're not naff when they're genuinely up there because you get pleasure out of them when you live there! They - and lots of other stuff - can seem fake when they're a marketing ploy! I like absolutely minimalism myself, with textiles that are often very rich and detailed.

I think Rightmove definitely clouds our judgement!

SS, stay with what you love, of course!