FINE & COUNTRY FRESHENING UP TO SELL
While most are accustomed to spring cleaning their home, autumn is another great time to freshen up your home, especially if you are putting your home on the market. Jonathan Handford from Fine & Country Leamington Spa outlines the steps to take when embarking on a pre-market refresh to boost your home’s appeal and increase your chances of a successful sale.
It seems fairly obvious that a thorough clean can up the appeal of your property for potential buyers, helping it to stand out in a competitive market. Here’s where to start.
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1. DECLUTTER AND DEPERSONALISE One of the first steps in preparing your home for sale is to declutter and depersonalise. Buyers looking at the property are generally envisioning how they will live in the space, and this can be difficult if your home is filled with personal items and clutter. Start by going through each room and removing unnecessary items. This includes old magazines, excess furniture, and personal photographs. Consider renting a storage unit our using a garage or outbuildings to temporarily – and neatly – store excess belongings.
Depersonalising doesn’t mean making it feel empty or lifeless. Instead, aim for a neutral but welcoming environment. Replace personal photos with neutral artwork and remove any eclectic décor pieces that might not appeal to a broad audience.
2. DEEP CLEAN EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY A deep clean goes beyond the regular dusting and vacuuming. It involves tackling all the areas that might be overlooked in your usual cleaning routine. Start with the basics: wash windows inside and out to let in as much natural light as possible, and make sure carpets and floors are spotless. Pay attention to corners, baseboards, and any other areas where dust and dirt might accumulate.
Kitchens and bathrooms are particularly important, as buyers often focus on these areas when considering a property. Clean the grout in the bathroom, remove any lime scale from taps, and ensure appliances – like the toaster, oven and fridge door – are sparkling
clean. If your kitchen or bathroom has any lingering odours, consider a mild-scented room diffuser.
Don’t forget to clean areas that buyers might inspect, such as inside cupboards, wardrobes, and storage spaces. These areas should be tidy and clean to give the impression of a well-maintained home.
3. ENHANCE CURB APPEAL First impressions start from the outside, so make sure the exterior of your home is just as clean and inviting as the interior. Begin by tidying up the front garden, mowing the lawn, and trimming hedges. Clear away any leaves or debris – particularly in autumn as the leaves drop, repaint the front door if it’s looking tired, and maybe add a new welcome mat to enhance that first look.
If you have a driveway, ensure it’s free from weeds and stains. Clean the windows and gutters, and consider power washing the exterior walls. A well-maintained exterior signals to buyers that the property has been cared for.
4. FRESHEN UP WITH PAINT AND REPAIRS
A fresh coat of paint can work wonders for
making a home feel new. Stick to neutral colours to appeal to the widest range of buyers. Light, neutral tones can also make rooms feel bigger and brighter.
Take care of any minor repairs as you go. Fix leaky taps, squeaky doors, and any cracks in the walls. These small fixes can prevent potential buyers from focusing on the negatives.
5. STAGE YOUR HOME FOR VIEWINGS If you don’t have a designer’s eye, consider staging your home to highlight its best features. This doesn’t have to mean bringing in new furniture – it may just mean arranging what you already have to make the most of the space and adding fresh flowers or a bowl of fruit to the kitchen table for a welcoming touch.
For advice on selling or buying property, please contact Fine & Country Leamington Spa on 01926 455950 or visit
www.fineandcountry.com
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THE MIDLANDS PROPERT Y GUIDE F INE & COUNTRY
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