Selling Tips for Autumn

As the evenings begin to draw in, vendors should take a look at their property if they are to maximise their chances of securing a sale. Buyer activity is traditionally good around this time of year, however your property still needs to compete well if it is to sell readily. Here are some tips that could help :

• Kerb appeal. You only get one chance to make a first impression – so make it count, as buyers make instant judgements. Make sure lawns are neat and driveways/pathways are swept.
• A coat of fresh paint for the front and back door, and a new doormat.
• Ensure gutters are free from debris and are draining properly.
• Ensure your entrance hall is clear of bicycles, children’s toys, shoes and wellies.
• Many people who are searching for a property to purchase often cruise past a property before making an appointment to view. So, on dark evenings, make it look like a home from the outside. Table lamps and soft lighting give an impression of cosiness and should be turned on A “For Sale” board will also make the house easier to find.
• Ensure your windows are clean, as recent rain may have left them dirty, and maximise available daytime light by ensuring that curtains and blinds  are fully open.
• Make sure the house is warm inside pop the radiators on a timer to heat the room up about half an hour before a viewing or get home a bit before the viewing to switch them on, get any fireplaces cracking away, and make your home as warm as toast to welcome viewers and help them to imagine that it was theirs!
• If you’ve been away a while, remember to air your property. If it’s been locked up for a few weeks properties can sometimes take on a musty or damp odour. Ventilate the property well before viewers come round. It’s also a great time to wash curtains and upholstery.