Mortgage approvals are up and we have seen a marked upturn in registered buyers looking for homes in East Renfrewshire. The market is certainly turning a corner from the uncertainty we faced last year and according to the Office for National Statistics, every region in the country has seen house prices rise for the first time since February 2018.
With that in mind, here are some tips to sell your home quickly in order to benefit from the market upturn. We are members of professional body NAEA Propertymark and here we share their tips to sell your home quickly:
First impressions count
Buyers make a decision within seconds so it’s essential that your home looks the best it can be from the outside as well as the inside. Your front door is the first thing they will notice so make sure it’s smart looking, newly painted if required and the door furniture is in good order. Small touches like a stainless steel house number can make all the difference. You want your viewers to imagine their friends and family visiting your home with a good impression.
Cleanliness is key
It’s important that your home is clean, tidy and has a nice odour. In the spring months when the sun is shining dust, dirty windows and smears will be amplified. A deep clean could be a worthy investment. Make sure all curtains and upholstery are clean too – and deep clean your carpets so the whole house feels clean and fresh.
Freshen up
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the home, so make sure any worn tiling, flooring or cupboards are fixed up. Tidy away any clutter and replace any worn or damaged work surfaces.
Let in the light
According to NAEA, a dark room is an immediate turn-off to buyers so let the sunlight into your home (or what we can get of it here in Scotland!) by opening curtains and blinds and giving any dirty windows a scrub before listing your home.
A neutral decor
You need to ensure that any potential buyers can envisage themselves living in your property so make the space neutral and simple and present a blank slate to potential buyers. Remove anything too personal or quirky and put away letters, excess furniture or any personal items so you can maximise the sense of space.
Flower power
Fresh flowers are a great touch that will make your home seem well kept and inviting. They lift a room and create a nice fragrance to greet any viewers. These natural touches always improve the appeal of your home.
Not everyone loves pets!
You may love your cat, dog or any other furry friends, but viewers to your home may not! You may have become immune to any pet odours so air out your property and remove pets during viewings.
Finally…price your home realistically!
Make sure you use an agent that understands the market and isn’t putting your home on the market at an inflated price to obtain your business and missing your chance to make an initial impact when it is first listed. Putting the price too high is counter-productive as a home that has been listed for some time will attract low offers as you’ll be seen as languishing on the market. Many buyers won’t even look at your home if the asking price appears out of kilter with the surrounding area. We can guide you on price matters and how long your home is likely to be on the market for.