sellyourhome

Having done all the hard work enticing the potential buyer into your house you don't want to put them off by not showing it off to its best advantage.

Put yourself in the the potential buyers shoes.

Aim : The basic idea is to create a blank canvas onto which the potential buyer can project their lifestyle and possessions.

Action required : You need to : De-personalise and de-clutter

Surprising as it may seem, potentil buyers are not interested in the photos of your children or the donkey sangria dispenser brought back from your last holiday in Benidorm!

Potential buyers are trying to envisage what the house will look like with their possessions in it not yours. So it's time to put sentiment aside.

DE-PERSONALISE AND DE-CLUTTER

Decoration

Keep it nuetral.

Most potential buyers don't like rooms with strong colours. Rooms should be decorated in neutral colours such as white, cream, and yes, boring magnolia. This effectively creates a blank canvas to others. Remember, your "taste" is not everbody elses taste.

Light colours also make small rooms look bigger and brighten up rooms which do not receive much natural light.

Introduce some colour by painting a feature wall and co-ordinated accessories such as cushions, rugs and curtains.

A strategically placed pot plant or flower display add a welcoming touch. Subtly scented candles also create the right mood. Ensure that the carpet is cleaned to remove the dirt, stains and any lingering odours from food, tobacco or pets. It is often a good idea to have this done professionally. The extra cost is worth the investment. You will be amazed what is hidden beneath all that grime.!

If the carpet is looking a little thread-bear then these areas could be hidden by a simple rug. Excessively worn carpet should be replaced if your budget allows. Choose a neutral colour which doesn't show dirt.

Make sure any wallpaper, paint work, such as doors, skirting-boards, dado rails are clean and free of scuffs.

Personal possessions

Clutter is emotional baggage. You need to move on - KILL THE CLUTTER!

Less is more - remove all personal possessons.

Untidy and cluttered rooms look smaller than they actually are.

Remove from show and box-up all your personal possessions such as family photographs, ornaments, wall pictures etc., togeter with any collections, and anything of a religious or political nature. Ask a friend or relation to store these for you until you move. Do not be tempted to put them out of sight in a cupboard or in the loft! Remember, the potential buyer will probably want to look there.

Remove all the contents of any cupboards and place them in a large cardboard box or storage container ready for sorting.

Next, take three large cardboard boxes, or storage containers, and label them :

1. 'Rubbish',

2. 'Give away/re-cycle', and

3. 'Keep for six months.'

In the 'Rubbish' box place any item that is broken and that cannot be re-cycled or given away. When you finish doing this, place all these items in plastic rubbish sacks for the dustman to collect. Old newspapers should be placed in the 'Re-cycle' box and taken to your local re-cycling point. Magazines can be given to the local doctors/dentist surgery or Chinese take-away, whose customers, speaking from personal experience, will be grateful for a change of reading material!

In the 'Keep for six months box' place those items which you use infrequently, if at all, but are reluctant to throw away, ie that fondue set you received as a wedding present 15 years ago which has never been used. Seal the box with packaging tape and write the date six months hence. You will probably find that when the six months is up, you have not had recourse to open the box. Therefore, it is probably safe to say that you can live without the contents. Give them away to charity if suitable, if not, bin them.

Pack away any personal collections on display. Not everbody is interested in your extensive collection of ornaments and knick-knacks. Ask a friend or neighbour to store them for you until you move. A few choice ornaments,properly displayed, or a vase of fresh flowers, create a more contemporary feel.

Remove any obstructions from the floor, such as children's toys etc which could cause injury.

Re-arrange your furniture to create a feeling of space. Cosider putting larger items into temporary storage, in order to create more space.

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This site was created and is maintained by Martyn Peter Wilkinson.

Quotes and images not my own remain in the copyright of the originator or else in the public domain.