With the average house price in the UK at a record high, it’s a good time to consider selling up. Now the effects of the pandemic have eased, Brits have scurried to put their homes up for sale. However, competition is fierce in the housing market, so if you’re hoping to stand out from the crowd, you’ll need to ensure your property is attractive to potential buyers.
Sure, you know the importance of mopping the floor and giving the teenagers’ rooms a good spritz of air freshener, but there are plenty of other things you can do to make your house appealing to hopeful homeowners. From clearing out all your clutter to removing personal items, a few small steps can make all the difference.
Read on for a few tips to help you prepare to sell your home.
Declutter
Removing clutter will help you maximise your space and make your home appear much more attractive to a potential buyer. If the items you decide to get rid of can be sold, decluttering could also be a great way to make some extra money.
A recent study by a UK finance provider found the average household could be hiding hundreds of pounds’ worth of forgotten items in their attic, making decluttering suddenly a very appealing task. Rare Pokémon card collections had an average online listing of £69.33, however rare card bundles could be worth a whopping £10,000!
Another valuable item found in many households is a first edition Harry Potter book. While these are sold for an average of £73.13, the study found they could be valued up to £6,800. Old comic books, vintage record collections and Polly Pocket bundles from the 90s completed the top-five most valuable pieces of “clutter” Brits are likely to find in their homes.
Lighting
Good lighting is key to taking good photos, so before you get the photographer over, assess the lighting in your home. Natural light will offer the best results, both in photos and during a viewing, so ensure you open the blinds and let any available sunlight stream in.
If you’re selling your home during the winter months, natural light may be harder to come by, particularly if you’re offering afternoon or evening viewings. To combat this, utilise floor lamps and table lamps to brighten the room and ensure it feels cosy and inviting.
Personal objects
It’s best to remove all visible personal objects prior to a photoshoot or viewing of your home. If potential buyers don’t see family photos on the wall or children’s drawings on the fridge, they’ll find it easier to imagine the home as their own and picture themselves living there.
It may be difficult to put these items into storage but remind yourself why you’re doing it: it’ll be worth it when you’ve sold your home and moved to a new one.
Plants
If you find your home is looking a little sad and empty without photos or other personal items, you may want to liven it up a little by introducing a few plants. No matter whether you opt for a plain, leafy plant or something bright and colourful, a touch of greenery will go a long way to making your home look more welcoming and appealing, both in photos and during viewings of the property.
