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As the weather picks up and the days get longer, and you are thinking of selling your home, Graham Wood of GSC Grays lists 5 top Tips for getting your home Spring Savvy.
We know it’s an old favourite saying, but yes, it’s time to declutter. Nobody wants to look at stacks of old magazines, tacky holiday souvenirs, or dirty clothes heaped upon every available surface. Elizabeth Tate from our Stokesley branch recommends a stringent approach. “Never leave tea towels or shampoo bottles out. Make sure everything is tidied away ready for our photographs,” she says.
Once everything is as minimal as you can make it, take care that your rooms look as stylish as possible. “Symmetry is key,” says Lizzie. “Look at hotels and showrooms — all of the best-designed places have a symmetrical focus, such as lamps and bedside tables either side of the bed. The bed itself should be “impeccably” made, with duvet covers ironed, pillows plumped and coordinating cushions added, for that special feel.”
Buyers tend to make up their minds about a property within 30 seconds so make sure the front garden is free of weeds and leaves, keep hedges trimmed and paving and pathways swept. Line up bins tidily or, if you have a bin store, use it.
If necessary. consider giving the front door a lick of paint and polish any door furniture. A couple of plants in pots can really make a home look more loved. If you have off-street parking space, remove your car so that prospective buyers can feel the benefit of it for themselves when they arrive.
Unless your house is extremely grand, remove coats and pictures from the entrance hall and corridors, as they make them feel dark. Pu up a narrow a mirror instead to bounce light around the room.
One of the key things, to help add perceived value to your home, is to maximise the feeling of space and light. You can simplify the window treatments by replacing heavy curtains with shutters, wood slats or flat fabric blinds.
Good lighting helps to show a home at its best, both in creating the illusion of space and to produce an interesting and ‘designed’ look. Use good-quality fittings to highlight special features and move the emphasis away from the less impressive. A statement light fitting or contemporary piece will add sparkle and raise the tone of the property substantially.
On gloomy days, high-voltage light bulbs will help make your home look cheery and bright.
If, for example, you are selling a three-bedroom house, but your third bedroom has evolved into a bit of a junk room/man cave, clear it out and stage it properly as a beautiful guest bedroom. Buyers can sometimes lack imagination and won’t necessarily see the potential of a space if you don’t make it blindingly obvious.
Get the windows cleaned is simple advice, but be sure to clean surfaces to create fresh-smelling surroundings and take the bins out the day before too. An old but gold trick is; to create a pleasant general aroma, make some fresh coffee or a cake just before a viewing.
[team-member name=”Graham Wood”]