Page 17 - February 2023

EXPERT ADVICE

How to prepare your home to sell in spring

Amy Howard, Property Consultant at Neilsons, discusses how
to get your home ready for the busiest time of the year.

pring is always a popular time to list or front garden then adding some brightly
properties for sale, as we emerge from coloured planters will add colour and interest.
Swinter and garden spaces start to look Make sure pathways are swept and weeded and
their best. So with increased competition on the any gates are in good working order.
market, how do you make sure your property
stands out from the crowd? Indoors
The Holy Trinity of preparing the inside of your
First impressions count home for sale is to declutter, depersonalise and
Never underestimate the importance of kerb deep clean! Buyers want to imagine themselves
appeal. You don’t get a second chance to make living there rather than seeing how you live
a good first impression, and as the entrance to there, so tuck personal nick-nacks and family
your home is both the first and last thing viewers photos out of sight, hide cleaning products and
will see, it needs to be as appealing as possible. signs of domesticity – they don’t want to imagine
A freshly painted front door with polished door themselves having to scrub the bathroom! You
furniture and clear numbering, reassuring buyers don’t need freshly baked bread or brewing
they’re in the right place, can really get your coffee to create the right impression but clean, Reception rooms and kitchens Storage spaces and garages
viewing off on the right foot. If your property is well-aired rooms are essential. Adding fresh Show buyers how they can use the space with If buyers see these spaces full to breaking
within a shared building, make sure it’s clean and flowers, a bowl of fruit or good quality scented areas clearly staged with living and dining point with your stuff, they simply won’t see or
presentable too. If you have your own entrance candles can really help to set the scene. furniture. Clear kitchen work surfaces of any appreciate the space that’s really on offer. It
clutter, just leaving the essentials like a kettle or is often worth hiring a storage unit or boxing
toaster and some matching caddies. Be warned things up to store at a friend or family member’s
that if your appliances are integrated, buyers house while your sale is ongoing. Make sure
may well look inside your fridge or dishwasher cupboard doors are in working order and that
so make sure there are no unpleasant aromas! any shelving is properly fitted.

Bedrooms and bathrooms Gardens
Buyers want to see these as spaces of rest A well-presented garden can be seen as really
and relaxation so make the beds with clean, valuable extra space so make sure the grass is
matching linen and tidy away any clothes or cut, hedges and trees are cut back to maximise
clutter. Double bedrooms should ideally be the space and stage any patio or seating areas
shown with a double bed, proving how the with garden furniture to show how they can
space can be utilised. For bathrooms, add fluffy be used. Again, as we’re not yet in full spring
matching towels and tidy away personal items bloom, adding some brightly coloured planters
like toothbrushes and cosmetics. can enhance the space and your photographs!

For more top tips on preparing your property for sale, call Amy and the friendly team at Neilsons on 0131 625 2222 or
email amyhoward@neilsons.co.uk

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