Thinking about making a move? We asked the experts in selling your property for tips and tricks to help you get your house ready for potential buyers.
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Moving is often said to be one of the most stressful life experiences, but there are things you can do to ease the pressure. That starts with taking the right steps to sell your home as quickly as possible, for the best price possible.
Karen Robertson, managing director of Georgesons Estate Agency, shares her top tips for selling your property, below.
8 top tips for selling your property
1. Declutter
Karen says: “You’ve lived in and loved your property, now it’s time to get rid of all the clutter that can accumulate in every nook and cranny. Put it in storage if possible or perhaps give to a friend who has space in a shed or garage.”
2. Give it a fresh lick of paint
Giving your walls a fresh lick of neutral paint will make your home seem lighter and bigger for photos and viewings. Also, fix any scuffs or scrapes, advises Karen.
3. Fix and clean throughout
“Make any minor repairs that are necessary, like holes in walls, broken door knobs, cracked tiles, blown glazing units and torn or threadbare carpets,” says Karen. “Many buyers want to move in without making changes, so allow for this in your budget.”
4. Think about lighting
Clean windows inside and out and replace any broken light bulbs.
Karen explains: “Making the space light and airy makes rooms feel bigger and the property more attractive. Good lighting is also essential for your photographer.”
5. Aim for spotlessness
Karen recommends: “Cleaning is your best tool. Tidy away bathroom toiletries for photographs and viewings instead of leaving them on show. Get rid of lime scale, repair tile grout, get rid of odours and remember to put the toilet seat down! Consider getting carpets professionally cleaned and wax wooden floors. Clean everything until it sparkles.”
6. Tidy up the garden
View the above house, currently for sale with Georgesons Estate Agency.
Get on top of garden chores, like cutting back bushes, cleaning the patio, cutting the grass and fixing broken fences and gates, this will appeal to families with young children. Karen explains: “While this doesn’t add much value to your home, it will make it more likely to sell, as people can visualise themselves using the outdoor space.”
7. Update the kitchen – if you have the time and money
Karen says: “The kitchen is the most valuable room in a house. If your kitchen is dated and you have spare cash, consider re-facing your kitchen cabinetry. This is much cheaper than installing new and often as effective. Upgrading kitchen counter tops is expensive and may not add value to your property, but it will certainly give it more kerb appeal. Also, declutter surfaces by removing any bulky appliances.”
8. Remember, not all home buyers are pet lovers.
Karen’s last tip is: “When selling a home with pets, at the very least, you should remove them from your home when potential buyers are viewing the property and remove pet bedding to minimise odours. Not all home buyers are pet lovers”
Get expert and local help to sell your home
Of course, you don’t have to face selling your home – and everything that comes with that – on your own. Georgesons Estate Agency has decades of experience and local knowledge to help you find the right buyer, at the right time.
Formerly known as D W Georgeson and Son when formed in 1887 in Wick, the firm has been passed down from trusted expert to trusted expert. In 2011, the firm Georgesons Estate Agent Ltd was established and current managing director Karen Robertson took over. Since then, Karen has re-opened the Thurso office and opened a branch in Tain in 2014.
Today’s Georgesons Estate Agency offices in Tain and Wick can be found in the heart of each town, offering excellent exposure for properties for sale or to let. The branches offer professional estate agency and letting services to Caithness, Sutherland, Ross-shire and the wider area.
Karen says: “Our friendly, knowledgeable team are all local to the areas we cover, and have over 15 years experience in selling and letting.”
This sort of friendly service and local property market expertise can make all the difference when it comes to selling your home and taking the next step on the property ladder.
For more information on selling your property (and tips like those listed above), get in touch with Georgesons Estate Agency on: info@georgesonsproperty.co.uk
You can also follow Georgesons Estate Agency on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or connect with Karen Robertson on LinkedIn.
