Consider the Unique Selling Points of your property
It is important that you take full advantage of any particularly good points your property has and play on them. These are the USP's or Unique Selling Points that will differentiate your property from any others on the market at that point in time. You need to maximise your chances of selling.
Start by examining the outside of the property:-
- Curb appeal. First impressions count and what is the first thing people will see? Is it good or bad?
- Is the front garden aesthetically pleasing? What about windows and doors, if they are UPVC white do they look white? Or dirty? Cleanliness is very important and if nothing else you should ensure the house is clean throughout inside and OUT.
- Does the doorbell work? Is there anything loose that could be tightened – if you have ignored simple jobs then there is a feeling from the potential buyer you will have ignored the big jobs too.
- Are there any cracks in the walls and around windows?
Then examine the Inside of the property:-
- Does the house need re-decorating? A small investment and a lick of paint could add thousands to the value of your property!!!
- Is it newly decorated, but to an acquired taste? (oranges, browns, bright yellow or black!!) Very specific décor can put potential buyers off if the colours and schemes chosen are very personal to you and they don't like them!!
- Kitchens and Bathrooms are critical in the buyers mind. Always ensure they are clean, tidy and fresh. Is the toilet or shower mouldy? Do the taps look old? Is there grease up the kitchen walls? Don’t forget the potential buyer is looking to live in this house and if the initial cleaning job puts them off you have no chance of selling for a good price.
- Keep even things that will be taken from the house very clean, it helps create a good impression.
- Small details like fresh towels; rugs and soap make a difference and provide evidence to buyers of how you have kept your home.
- Remove anything that clutters the house. Store it away, give it away, throw it in the bin but don’t leave it lying around the house. It will make the rooms look smaller and a potential buyer will almost certainly not want to see it!!!
- Be sure the house is clean from ‘top to toe’. This cannot be emphasised enough. Even if the house isn’t particularly well decorated this can help massively – people may be prepared to accept old and clean more than new and dirty.
- Windows need to be spotless. Ensure Curtains or blinds are fully open to maximise the amount of incoming light into the property.
- It is best to keep animals out of the way. However much you love your border collie you can bet your life the potential buyer will not be keen on his living habits and odour if they aren’t a pet owner.
