Although
this site is principally intended for UK SELLERS, with most of the
links being UK based - yes, I do live in the UK!!- I believe that the
advice found within this site can also be of use to sellers in the USA
and elsewhere.
HOW TO SELL YOUR HOUSE - FAST!!
DE-PERSONALISE
YOUR LIVING SPACE
REMEMBER : It's no
longer your home, it's your house and you are going to sell it!
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 buyers shoes. Surprising as it may seem, they are not
interested in the photos of your children or the donkey sangria
dispenser brought back from your last holiday in Benidorm! They 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. It's time to de-personalise
your living space...
THE
LOUNGE
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-clutter and de-personalise
Firstly,
remove from show and box-up all your personal possessions such as
family photos, ornaments, wall pictures etc. 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 look in 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.
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. Remove and store any personal items
which clutter the room.
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. Re- paint or re-wallpaper, preferably in white, or some other light neutral colour, such as cream or magnolia,
if necessary.
Ensure
that the light fittings, light switches and door furniture are cleaned and polished, if
tarnished.
Make sure all the
light bulbs are working. Replace any that have blown with high wattage bulbs.
Tip :
never tell a prospective buyer you are moving because of a lack of
space. If the house isn't big enough for you then its not big enough
for them!
Having
deal with the lounge, it is now time to move on to probably the
most important room in the house...the kitchen.....
Click here for more
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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.
All
rights Reserved Worldwide © 2006
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