How to get your house sale ready

We’ve had an exceptional 12 months in the property market and that shows no signs of abating into 2022. If you are thinking about putting your house on the market in the New Year, there’s lots you can do to prepare your property for sale so why wait till after Christmas.

Deciding to sell

You may not want to put your house on the local market before the Christmas break but we can help you consider all of your options ready for the New Year. We can get an honest professional valuation that is reflective of the market and offer good mortgage advice. These financial factors are important and it is nice to know where you stand before Christmas so we can then advise you on what you need to do before we market the property.

Kerb appeal

Potential buyers are assessing your property a long time before they actually arrive at the front door so it is important to consider the approach to the property. Now is as good a time as any to check the front of the house. Make sure the drains are unblocked specially in the damp weather at this time of year. Address the gutters and clear all blocks such as leaves and ensure the forecourt, path or driveway gets the same attention. Think about dressing the front door area with a pot plant and apply a lick of paint where needed. You will want to ensure the front of the house looks fresh and appealing for potential buyers.

Declutter

We could all do with creating space in advance of Christmas Day but this is even more relevant if you plan to put your house on the market in the New Year. Think about the first spaces that viewers will see such as the hallway. Excessive piles of letters, shoes and coats piled up can certainly be addressed this side of the festive break. This is an important area, as it’s the first place that potential buyers will see. The hallway needs to feel warm and welcoming without the distraction of the things we sometimes see on show.

Clean your house

This might sound obvious but it’s one of those things that really does throw up red flags. If you don’t take care of the dust and smells, it can put buyers off. Most people tend to have a deep clean pre-Christmas so it’s worth going the extra mile if you plan to put your house on the market and scrub every last inch ready for the photographs.

Viewing ready

It really can be about the smallest details such as door knobs that don’t work properly or lightbulb that has gone. Of course these things do not devalue the house but they may raise red flags that cause a potential buyer to question if there are other things lurking under the surface. Ceiling stains are one of these flags. Someone walking around will think of water damage and have concerns that there are other issues with the property. Touch up paint where needed and make sure all dripping taps are fixed quickly.

How

Don’t wait until January, if you are in the local area and have a property for sale, come and talk to us today.