The housing market is unpredictable and struggling to sell your home can feel like fighting a losing battle. There are factors beyond your control, like mortgage rates and seasonal changes to think about; however, determination and perseverance can overcome these problems. If your house is still on the market after following our previous tips from September, here is what you need to do next to get a firm offer on the table.
Make it minimal
You may have been too lenient the first time you decluttered, and too many belongings could be getting in the way of a sale. If you cannot declutter any further, put the things you wish to keep into storage. They will be safe, secure and, importantly, out of the house.
Consider reducing the amount of furniture in your home. Smaller furniture frees up space and makes a home feel larger than ever. Reducing the living room furnishings to a sofa, television and bookcase gives potential buyers a blank canvas so they can imagine their own furniture in the house. A sparse decor also signals to buyers that you are ready to vacate as soon as possible, and an easy handover lies ahead.
Paint the entire house
If you have not painted your home from top to bottom, now is the time to do so. It has been proven that clean, freshly painted walls in neutral colours attract higher offers.
As well as painting, remove any pictures from the walls. They may be valuable mementos, but they detract attention from the room and make it feel smaller. With the exception of mirrors, wall hangings should be safely stored away. Mirrors make a room feel larger by creating depth and providing a focal point. Make sure to clean them with window polish before each viewing!
Surprise buyers with the garden
Mow the grass, tidy away children’s toys and move the wheelie bin out of sight; these are the basics. The next step is to surprise buyers with a clean garage or shed that has been repainted inside and out. These are the heart of the garden but are often forgotten when selling a house. Take out the camping equipment, fishing poles and bicycles that don’t quite fit and put these in storage. Dust for spider’s webs, make sure everything inside is clean and then paint in neutral colours. A tidy garage or shed, with some personal touches, will make the garden feel functional and well-loved.
Take photos
Most property searches start online. Now that the house is looking its best, use the best camera you can get your hands on to take photographs that accurately represent the light and airy home you have for sale. Take photos facing into the room from the door. For larger rooms, take more than one photo and consider finishing touches, such as a vase of flowers, to feature prominently in the pictures. Open curtains and switch lights on to provide adequate lighting. Check the photos on a computer before sending to the estate agent to upload, as you can always retake a photo if you didn’t notice the dirty pots in the sink first time around.
Open house days in Spring and Autumn
In Summer it is particularly difficult to sell large homes because families are on holiday, and when they are available, bringing children along to a house viewing is too inconvenient for most people. Wait for the holiday season to cool off and the more relaxed buyers in Autumn will be extra receptive to your family home. Once winter comes around, the weather and the market goes cold. As soon as November, buyers will be focusing on Christmas and be less interested in house hunting. If you do get viewings during the Christmas period, keep the decorations tasteful and minimal to maintain a smart appearance.
Move to an online estate agent
This could widen your pool of buyers and save you a chunk of cash. Online property sites will charge a flat rate between £300 – £1000 to sell your house, compared to 2% of the sale price levied by traditional estate agents. In this scenario, you will be conducting house viewings yourself, so be consistently tidy and friendly. Remember: you are the most qualified person to sell your home. Hold a ‘viewing weekend’ to get as much interest through the door as possible, and offer viewers hot drinks to establish a bond and encourage open conversation. Research the value of similar homes in your area to ensure competitive pricing and choose an online agent with a good reputation.
In no time you will have firm offers for your home. Approach selling from a buyer’s perspective and emphasise the positives of your home, including: local amenities, neighbourhood safety, space, refurbishments and planning permissions for extensions or loft conversions. There are many benefits to buying your home, so emphasise them and be on your way up the property ladder!
Barnes of Lincoln have been operating household and commercial removals for five generations. We offer comprehensive storage services with 6 day a week access, giving you more options and control over deposit and collection. Our purpose-built facility keeps your possessions safe for as long as they are with us. For more information, get in touch today.
