Potential buyers will make a decision on your house within the first few seconds, so the way you present your home is crucial. Well maintained lawns and weeded borders together with clean exterior paintwork and tidy entrances will give potential buyers a positive start. Front doors should be clear from prams and wellies whilst front gardens should be clear from garden tools, litter and unsightly bins.
Firstly de-clutter and then give your kitchen a good clean. If fridges and cookers are part of the sale then make sure that they are well cleaned and are working!
Anything displayed on the fridge must go, along with any works of art the children have brought home and you have displayed.
If kitchen cupboards are old, consider repainting them. Simply by replacing old door knobs and handles you can give your kitchen a relatively inexpensive facelift.
Bathrooms must be clutter-free and really clean. Throw away empty shampoo bottles, and clear window ledges from shower gels, body lotions and deodorants. If the whole family use the bathroom, ensure that the children’s toys are out of sight.
Clean all windows and keep the curtains well drawn back to allow as much light in as possible. If you have blinds in the kitchen pull them up as much as possible, and install spotlights to light dark corners. Uplighters in the sitting room are a good idea and will bounce light off the ceiling, as are high wattage light bulbs in the hall and bathroom.
Tackle the hall first, putting away all coats, hats and dog leads. Tidy up boots and shoes, putting them away neatly in a downstairs cupboard or shoe storage unit. A bunch of lilies or brightly coloured Gerberas will look good in the hall and will create a lovely aroma when potential buyers first come into the house.
Remove any unnecessary furniture. A laundry basket behind the bathroom door for example, is not a good idea, the route around your property should be free from any obstruction!
It goes without saying that your house should be spotlessly clean whilst it’s on the market. However, if the thought of housework distresses you, then there are cleaning agencies who will work miracles in a couple of hours.
