Mitchell’s top tips to get your house market ready

The decision to put your home on the market can be one of the biggest to face, so it’s important to take some time to consider the best way you can prepare yourself, your family, and your home for sale or rent.

The principles are very much the same for either option, and in most cases, the key things to consider are often the most basic, and the most obvious! In any case, we’ve compiled a list of our top tips for getting your house market-ready…

Check it out from a distance

Being so familiar with your home, it can be difficult to see the things that are going to be picked up by potential buyers/renters.

It’s a good idea to take a step back and consider your property from the kerbside. Does it have kerbside appeal? Are there any ways the initial impression of your home could be improved? You might consider:

• Tidying up the path that leads to the front door, cleaning the flags/stones and clearing it of any weeds
• Clearing away any litter which may be on the pavement or stuck in the fences outside your house
• Giving your fence or garden wall a bit of TLC, repairing any broken spokes or securing any bricks/stones which may have become loose

The front door of a property is also a key focal point, so it’s a good idea to pay special attention to its condition and see if there are any improvements to make. Would it benefit from a lick of paint, or perhaps a new door handle? Do you already have outdoor lighting in place, or might it be something to invest in to boost the appeal of your property?

Declutter

If you’ve lived in your home for a long period of time, it’s quite common for things to become a bit over-busy and cluttered.

When preparing to conduct viewings on your property, it’s a good idea to begin the decluttering process. Not only will it save time (and stress!) during the moving process, but it may also help increase your property’s appeal, as potential buyers/renters tend to favour the homes that are well-kept, neat and tidy.

If you don’t have the heart to start throwing things away, or donating them to local charities, don’t panic! It may be that the rooms within your home would benefit from some clever storage solutions, helping you keep your bits and bobs out of sight and out of mind!

Be critical

Before putting your home on the market, it’s advisable to have a good check over the presentation of the property more generally. Are there any rooms that could benefit from a refresh, or walls that could do with a fresh coat of paint? Are there any loose floorboards that could be more secure, or doors that don’t close properly?

Quality kitchens and bathrooms really do help to sell a property, so check over these areas closely, and be sure to replace any discoloured sealants around baths, showers and sinks. It’s also a good idea to consider the lighting, and make sure everything is in working order.

Get mowing!

Nothing wows a viewer like a well-kept garden – somewhere they can sit out in the summer and host barbeques with friends, or spend quality time with the family.

Before listing your home, you might consider investing a bit of time and money into updating the external arenas, such as:

• Mowing the lawn and using grass feed or lawn care products to make sure it’s looking its best
• Hitting the garden centre to brighten the place up with some outdoor plants, flowers, trees or garden ornaments
• Giving any flagstones/decking a thorough clean
• Trimming any hedges, so that the space looks neat and tidy

Do a bit of research

It’s likely that potential buyers will ask you the question of whether or not your property is freehold or leasehold – it’s become a bit of a hot topic of late – so doing your research ahead of time to make sure you have an answer prepared is advisable.

If your property is leasehold, try to establish whether or not you have paid any ground rent recently.

Find the right agent for the job!

At Pearson Ferrier, we have decades of experience in the property market and have successfully sold and leased hundreds of properties over the years.

We’re committed to delivering an exceptional level of service, and take a great deal of pride in our comprehensive property management services and our friendly approach.

Looking to buy, sell, or rent? Contact our team today to find out more about how we can help you get the most out of your investment, or view the properties we currently have available for sale/rent on our website.