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Deciding to sell your property is a big step – and once you’ve made that decision, there’s a lot to do before your property is ready to go on the market if you want to get the best possible price.

 

Here are my top my tips on preparing your home for selling. Be prepared for some hard work – but also know that you’re increasing your chances of a quick sale at a good price!

 

Kerb appeal

‘Kerb appeal’ is the first positive impression potential buyers form of your property when they stand outside it for the first time. It’s that moment when a potential buyer decides whether it’s worth going inside for a look around, so it’s a really important part of the process and one you shouldn’t overlook!

 

Pay special attention to windows, the street door, masonry and the front garden, if you have one.

 

Windows

First of all, make sure your windows are clean! Make your own window cleaning fluid: a spray bottle filled with a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar, with a generous squirt of washing up liquid, will get your windows sparkling in no time at all.  Spray on, wipe off with a cloth to remove dirt, then polish with an old towel to remove smears.

 

If your window frames are wood or metal, check for flaked paint and if necessary, add a coat or two of fresh paint.

 

If you have PVC window frames, make sure they’re clean – the home-made window cleaning fluid works just as well on frames as it does on glass.

 

Door

Make sure your street door is clean; use the glass cleaning fluid for any glass panels on the door, and warm soapy water everywhere else.

 

Check for flaky paint and rusty door furniture (handles, knockers, letter boxes etc); a fresh coat of paint and a bit of elbow grease can make a big difference!

 

Masonry

Check any stonework (walls, doorsteps, columns, etc) to make sure no repairs or repainting are needed. Painted stone walls should be as clean as possible; soapy water and a scrubbing brush with a touch of elbow grease can work wonders, but be prepared that you may need to do some repainting if cleaning isn’t doing the trick.

 

Repointing between stones or bricks may also be worth considering, if the outside of the property is currently in poor repair.

 

Front garden

If you have a front lawn, keep it mown. Dead-head any spent flowers, clean old pots, or even invest in some cheap bedding plants in pots or hanging baskets – these will all add to kerb appeal and make your home appear bright and welcoming. Get rid of any unsightly weeds and dead plants, and if there’s paving make sure it’s clean.

 

If there are railings around the front garden, remove any flaked paint with a wire brush, and touch up with some metal paint.

 

If there’s a fence rather than railings – make sure there are no rotten areas in the wood, and consider giving the fencing a lick of specialist garden wood paint like Cuprinol Shades, which comes in a wide range of beautiful colours.

 

Inside the property

Now you’ve added kerb appeal to the front of the property, it’s time to concentrate on the inside! You don’t have to spend a fortune to get your home ship-shape and ready to sell, but you will have to invest some time. Tidy up, de-clutter, keep things clean, and pay attention to general maintenance – this way, you’re showing your property at its best and it will be easier to sell.

 

Tidy up

Try to keep mess to a minimum, without having to change your daily life too much. If you have children, you can’t expect them to stop playing with their toys – but do get them in the habit of putting them away when they’ve finished playing.

 

A kitchen full of dirty dishes is a big no-no, so try to keep on top of the washing-up.

 

Another thing to keep on top of is clothes; don’t leave them lying around – either put them away or put them in the wash! The last thing a prospective buyer wants to see is a bedroom strewn with sweaty socks!

 

De-clutter

If you have a lot of personal possessions hanging around – ornaments, photo frames and the like – consider putting them in the loft or cupboard while your house is on the market. It’s much easier – and quicker – to do a spot of housework before visitors arrive if you’ve less clutter on your surfaces.

 

Also consider putting any excess furniture, such as occasional tables and spare chairs, into storage temporarily. This will help rooms to appear bigger.

 

Keep it clean

Have a really good deep clean of every visible surface before your house goes on the market. Skirting boards, doors and their frames, kitchen cabinet fronts, light switches and plug sockets, and kitchen/bathroom tile grout are areas that can be overlooked during everyday cleaning, so give them some extra attention at this time.

 

If your carpets have seen better days, consider hiring a carpet cleaning machine for a weekend. This is inexpensive and can leave dirty carpets looking almost new. Washing curtains and cleaning blinds is also a good idea – they’ll really brighten up a room.

 

If you have pets, ensure they’re not leaving any bad smells in your home! Keep litter trays clean, and freshen soft furnishings with Febreze to keep things smelling sweet.

 

General maintenance

Unless your home is in very poor condition, it’s not essential to redecorate... but you may want to touch up or wash the paintwork where there are obviously grimy areas, such as above fireplaces and around light switches.

 

If your interior design tastes are a bit on the bold or unconventional side, you may wish to tone things down a bit by using paler colours or neutral tones, but this isn’t essential. The key thing is to make sure everything looks well cared-for, rather than brand new.

 

Consider having your boiler serviced; buyers will be glad that this is one thing they can tick off their list if they decide to buy your property. Similarly, if you have a solid fuel or multifuel fireplace, you may wish to have the chimney swept professionally.

 

It goes without saying that you should ensure any gas and electrical appliances that are being sold with the house are in good, safe working condition.

 

Remember that buyers will want the property checked over by a surveyor before they commit to buying, so if you have any damp problems, leaks or electrical problems, get them fixed before going on the market if you want a quick sale at as close to your asking price as possible.

 

Garden and outbuildings

The garden is considered by many buyers as an important ‘room’ of the house, so try to show its potential, even if you’re not a keen gardener!

 

Keep the lawn mown if you can, and keep on top of weeding. Remove any dead plants, dead-head spent flowers, and consider a few pots of cheap bedding plants if your garden is lacking in colour.

 

Keep paved areas clean. If you’re on a tight budget there’s no need to invest in a jet washer – a cheap patio knife will deal with any weeds between paving slabs, and some hot soapy water and a scrubbing brush will revitalise surfaces.

 

As with the front of the building, keep garden masonry clean and well-maintained. Ensure gutters are clean and free-flowing, and keep gullies and drains clear of leaves and other debris.

 

De-clutter the garden as best you can; put away empty pots and garden tools, and keep the kids’ toys tidied away when not in use. If you’re lucky enough to have a pool or hot tub, keep it squeaky clean.

 

If you have outbuildings, make sure they’re in reasonably good repair. A lick of paint can revitalise an old wooden shed, and if you have a greenhouse it’s a good idea to keep the glass clean.

 

Conclusion

There’s a lot to take on board here, and if you’re not a fan of housework, home maintenance or gardening you should expect a bit of hard work! But it will be worth it, as you’re far more likely to sell your property quickly and at a good price if you’ve taken the time to make it attractive to potential buyers.