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Anything else we can do to make it sell more quickly?

bridiej
Posts: 5,775 Forumite

Our house is going on the market in three weeks time. We've redecorated inside and out, there's new wiring and bathroom that went in just before Xmas, the gardens will be tidy and we have decluttered and the place will be sparkling, not to mention it will be competitively priced and not priced at a "silly" amount.
Just wondered if anyone has any hints and tips to help it go quickly? (not of the "make your house smell of bread or freshly ground coffee" variety but more things I can say as I show people round (or not say as the case may be) and any other presentation type tips?
Thanks in advance
Nervous of Kent! :eek:
Just wondered if anyone has any hints and tips to help it go quickly? (not of the "make your house smell of bread or freshly ground coffee" variety but more things I can say as I show people round (or not say as the case may be) and any other presentation type tips?
Thanks in advance
Nervous of Kent! :eek:
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Comments
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Hi again Bridie,
I'm sure you've already thought about this but if not don't forget Kerb Appeal.
As soon as someone pulls up near your house or arrives on foot they get an all-important first impression so it's important to get rid of the big weeds or any litter or cigarette ends that might have blown towards the approaches.
Nice clean windowsills and a tub of flowers can be very enticing.
Hope I haven't insulted your intelligence !0 -
What i always want to know is the reason why someone is moving. If I suspect it's because they don't like the area (yobs or crime), or have noisy neighbours then I'm going to run a mile.
I wouldn't freak out too much birdie. Sensibly priced properties are the exception at the moment, so you might find people are biting your arm off!
It's only because sellers are in a 2004 mindset that things have ground to a halt. If you enter the market at a reasonable level, you should be fine.
Good luck!0 -
We're emigrating, although we wont be telling the viewers that as have heard horror stories about people getting to exchange of contracts and just before exchange the buyers drop their offer!!! :eek:
It's a shame we have to leave in one sense as our neighbours are lovely and it's so nice living here on the edge of Romney Marsh with a field out the back.......
Frugal_Dougal: no you havent insulted my intelligence, although that is on my "things to keep tidy" list!0 -
bridiej wrote:We're emigrating, although we wont be telling the viewers that as have heard horror stories about people getting to exchange of contracts and just before exchange the buyers drop their offer!!! :eek:
Very wise !!!
And yes the coffee and bread smell thing is a load of nonsense. The smell of fresh paint is far more seductive.0 -
I think one of the main things that you need to consider is to 'depersonalise' the place as much as possible... so it can be a blank slate for the people viewing it to imagine living there themselves. Tidy away ornaments, too many photos (particularly personal ones) and anything else that might be seen as being of a particular taste / preference.
We're selling our flat and, although it has four bedrooms, it's as likely to be snapped up by a batchelor as a family (because the finish is spot on and it's a fantastic 'entertaining' space)... so toys left out are to a minimum and only our son's bedroom has any additional kids stuff in there (and, even then, it's all tidy).
Even, get a friend round who you like and trust, but you know has a different 'style' to you and get them to wander round and pick out things that might be a put-off.
Also, de-clutter again and again. It's easy to do it the first time round, but keep on your toes... the more space around, the more spacious it feels.
Finally, leave lights on in dark areas of your property and windows open (as far as possible) so that it feels light and fresh.CarQuake / Ergo Digital0 -
Another simple tip to give a better feeling of space is to always stand back and let the viewer enter each room first, rather than leading them into it. Then they're seeing a nice empty room with lots of space rather than one already "cluttered" by a person (you!)
Sounds easy and common sense but it really does take some thinking to get used to it - it seems more natural to go into the room first usually.
Good luck with the sale - it sounds like you're doing everything you can.0 -
if its a quick sale your after ask the agent to ensure only proceed able/serious buyers are sent along.
Safety issues; for lady vendors.
If a board goes up make sure that the lone male has come direct from the agent and make sure that when doing a viewing if you are on your own the back door is left unlocked so you have an emergency exit ,follow him upstairs don't lead , think SAFETY.you don't know this person.If you can, get the car make/ registration number.
let the prospect enter the room first, stand behind him close by the door, in the bedrooms keep doors open at all times and make sure you have a clear exit out.
Invite a friend to visit if the agent doesn't do accompanied viewings and it bothers you,good idea is to do block viewings perhaps on a Saturday and time them half hour apart.
Ask the question when are THEY, looking to move and do they have their finances in place as the agent sometimes get it wrong.
Enjoy the viewings and be enthusiastic but remember safety first.my bark is worse than my bite!!!!!!!!0 -
You need to watch back to back House Doctor Bridie!
In a way you are quite lucky because you won't be taking all your worldly goods to the other side of the world so serious decluttering is the order of the day,it's always good when you can open and close cupboard doors without the contents falling on your head.
Think of all the positive points of the house, the garden, is it close to good schools, the shops,near public transport etc. Maybe make some notes for yourself but don't use it as a script.
Don't try too hard to sell the house, I have only had 2 houses but both felt right when I first walked in the door.
Perhaps get the agent to do the first viewing and see what they say, what order they show the rooms you might learn something if you have a good agent. One tip on House Doctor (I think) last week was if you have a really nice room with a great view or something try to show it twice ie on the general walk round the again at the end.
Good luck I hope it sells quickly (not that we want to lose you but I guess you can still chat from the Antipodes!)0 -
Thanks nearlyrich - I've been watching House Doctor and Selling Houses for months (even got the Selling Houses book!!!). Good tip about not trying too hard.
Terrierlady - already thought of that, if there are any lone males they'll be accompanied viewings as wouldnt feel safe on my own.0 -
My last place had no doors...no no no not trying to tell you to take your doors off!! But the effect was that it felt spacious (& for that 1 bedroom flat that was quite a statement!) and most viewers commented on it. So rather than remove internal doors I would suggest you open them back as far as they will go so that there is lots of light flooding through and the space in the house "flows". This also helps with letting people into rooms before you. Though close the loo & bathroom doors especially if you can actually see the wc when the door is open.
If at all possible get things up off the floor. The idea is that people can see the entire floor space wall to wall and therefore appreciate the size of rooms.
If you have cats, dogs or other pets then remove their bits and pieces outside - and the beastie too - some people are allergic and if they spot anything animal related will be out the door before you know it.
Open the windows before your viewer comes along so that there is the sweet smell of nothing in the air. If your house is going to smell of anything then smells of cleaners eg Pledge give the impression of a place being well looked after. Anything else out of a tin/bottle might suggest that you're trying to cover some sort of nasty whiff up.
You've obviously already realised that getting rid of as much "clutter" is probably one of the best things to do.
I expect you've already redecorated - if not, don't be afraid of colour. My last place was v.colourful, eg blue/green picture rails and skirting boards, yellow door frames...sounds mad and flies in the face of normal advice BUT I got two offers at the full asking price on the day it went on the market. The trend for neutrals is v.well but it seemed to me that viewers wanted something a little bit different to the norm, and in my case it was the use of colour (and no doors but hardly anyone noticed that).0
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