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With housing prices set to rise this year, it’s time we look at how to make our homes desirable to potential buyers. The tricks of brewing coffee, setting out fresh flowers and baking bread before a viewing are well known, but Aston Knowles Director, Sophie Bullock, reveals a few less obvious ways to make your house stand out in a crowded market.
According to the latest housing market survey by RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors), house sales across the UK look set to increase significantly during the next three months. Local Estate Agents and Chartered Surveyors, Aston Knowles, offer their advice and expertise to perspective sellers about how to ‘spring clean’ their homes and keep one step ahead of the competition.
“De-clutter, it’s the oldest piece of advice in the book, but it still holds true today. Be ruthless. Buyers need to see clear-cut, well-presented spaces and each room must have a purpose,” advises Sophie. She urges sellers not to hold back: “Hide, store or otherwise destroy all the redundant oddities that you’ve grown attached to. It’s also important to pitch your home to your audience – talk to your agent about the different people who intend to view your home. Get the best possible understanding of them, and alter the interior to suit. For example, if you know a family is coming to view your house make it as child-friendly as possible. For a young couple, minimal and modern decoration is the best choice.”
Sophie continues, “While you don’t necessarily want to do a major, expensive renovation project before you sell, you can make minor repairs and improvements that will make your home look fresher to buyers. Try things such as replacing the caulk and grout in your bathroom, replace light blubs that no longer work and clean your windows and frames for a clean and neat appearance.”
“As well as considering a neutral look for the interior of your home, think about the exterior of your property. Check and repair any garden gates or fences, clear paths of weeds and make the entrance to your home inviting with some freshly planted pot plants. Giving your home kerb appeal is the first step to engaging with a buyer.”
Sophie concludes: “A good estate agent will play a very important part in managing the sales process. We pride ourselves on our ability to give the best advice to our sellers when it comes to showing off their homes in the best possible light.”
Aston Knowles are aiming high in order to achieve results for their clients and make a difference in the prestigious end of the Sutton Coldfield property market.
