We all know that the new year is historically a time when we have a clear out in our homes and it can also be when many people consider moving elsewhere. If you’ve decided that 2021 is the time to put your home on the market and you’re keen to get started with the process in January, there are a few steps you can take in the coming weeks to get it ready.
An article for the London Post recently highlighted where to focus your efforts if you want to make sure that your home is as appealing as possible to potential buyers.
Begin by assessing the appearance of your home from the outside. This is known as its kerb appeal and it’s crucial given that we often very quickly make decisions about whether or not we like a property before we even set foot inside.
Tidy your garden and trim any overgrown hedges or bushes. The news provider also recommended mowing the lawn if your grass is currently overgrown, as this can be a big turnoff for buyers.
If you have a garden at your property, another top tip is to make it feel secluded and not overlooked. That might mean raising the height of your fences, for instance, to help give it more private feeling.
Another simple, yet effective, step to take is cleaning your windows and ensuring that you don’t have overgrown hedges and trees blocking light from entering your home.
Of course, people need to be just as impressed by the interior of your home as the exterior, so don’t neglect your indoor spaces.
As the publication noted: “This should go without saying, but make sure you tidy up the home before any prospective buyers visit the property.”
Complete those simple, day-to-day chores, like washing the dishes and putting away washing, before you have a viewing.
Making your beds is another simple yet effective tip. It’s also advisable to stick to neutral tones for your bedding and any accessories, as these are least likely to turn off buyers. Even though your bedding won’t be part of the sale, it’s important to consider how small touches like this can affect people’s opinions.
Last, but not least, is the temperature of the property. This ideally needs to be a happy medium between not too hot and not too cold. In the winter, it is obviously better to have a property feel warm and welcoming when people come to view it.
An article for ISPreview recently noted that poor internet connectivity can significantly affect the value of a property, which means testing the internet speed at your property is a smart move before you put your home on the market.
If you discover that your internet speed is poor (or you already know this) it can certainly pay to do what you can to rectify the problem.
The news provider highlighted the findings of a survey conducted by Eutelsat, which found that UK homes with poor broadband connectivity can sell for an average of £38,902 below their market value. It based this figure on the fact that most respondents to its survey said they would expect a 16 per cent discount on a property with poor internet.
Looking for an agent to manage your residential sales in Forest Hill? Get in touch with our team today.