Monday 12 October 2009

How To .....PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR SALE

Even before you invite the estate agents into your home, you should consider the following points to prepare your property for sale.

A better presented home
=
great photos
=
improved marketing material
=
increased buyer interest
=
greater opportunity to sell.


Follow these top tips now to help you achieve a quick sale at the best possible market price:

1. Know your buyer

As Ann Maurice, presenter of House Doctor on Channel 5, was reported to say "buyers buy with their emotions, not with their heads".

In the current buyer's market, your buyer not only wants the 5 bedrooms with en-suite plus off-street parking, but they also want your lifestyle to live up to their expectations. They’re buying the dream.

The more information you have about your potential buyer, the more able you are to
style your property to match their criteria.

For example:
a retired couple in a property whose buyers are young professionals will have decorated the property in a style and taste that is not of the same generation and, therefore, less appealing to the buyer no matter how clean and tidy it is. In this situation, quite often, just a lick of paint is required to neutralise a room's backdrop.


2. Give each room a clear identity

A buyer is often confused by poor use of space, ie: when it is unclear to them what the
purpose is for a particular room.

Each room needs a strong identity that shows, through furniture placement and accessories, what the purpose is for that space.

We all have that junk room or dumping ground but when you’re selling your home this needs to be turned into a useful space such as an office or children’s bedroom.


3. Keep it real

Style any accessories, such as cushions and bedding, in a way that suits the property.

For example,
styling your home like a show house is not suitable to a country cottage.

The key is to have sufficient accessories to add interest and character in your property, after all it is a lived in home you’re selling. However it is a fine balance because having too many items will detract from the space in each room or the character of the property.


4. Entice buyers in

Quite often designers talk about ‘kerb appeal’ and this just means enticing the buyers through the door by presenting the front of your property in an attractive way.

For example:
make sure any rubbish bins are out of sight, address any peeling woodwork with a lick of paint, ensure all hedges are neatly trimmed and check all outside lights are working correctly by replacing any faulty or broken bulbs.

All of these simple touches show the buyer that you care about your home and it’s a worthwhile place to live.


5. Space Sells

If your home is full to bursting then this sends a message to the buyer that there is no room for them to move in. It is quite often a deal breaker, especially in this current economic market.

In preparation for your move, it’s a great idea to sort through and clear out any unwanted items.
As you’re clearing out the items, it’s also a good idea to put the duster around and give your home a spring clean. Your home should sparkle and shine prior to any viewing.

It’s like going to a hotel where you know there have been hundreds of people there before you but you don’t want to be reminded of it. Your home should be clean and tidy to maximise the space and light in each room.


All of these tips will help you maximise the property for sale by showcasing the space and usability of each room. Once the space is correctly defined you then add all of the finishing touches to give the property personality without looking cluttered.

Whenever we style your property for sale, we always take into consideration any furniture or accessories that are already available in your home. We then work with these as a basis to create a design that appeals to your target buyer.

For anyone selling an empty property, we are able to either hire or buy furniture and accessories to create a wonderful home that's a delight to market.

Why not contact one of our interior designers today for a personal consultation of your individual requirements:

GWENDOLINE
CREATIVE INTERIOR DESIGNER

Tel: 07841 519802
Website: www.ga-interiors.co.uk
E-Mail: gwendoline@ga-interiors.co.uk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ga_interiors

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