If the morbid winter months have put your house-sale plans on hold, then the springtime is the perfect opportunity to get things back on track. Freshening things up can have a dramatic effect on the overall presentation of your property – which could translate into a higher asking price from buyers.
In this article, we’re focussing on some of the simple, yet effective ways you can boost the appeal of your home this spring.
Gardening
It sounds simple, but doing some springtime gardening is the perfect remedy for the doldrums of winter. Plant life and greenery can take a beating in the cold, and a ravaged garden won’t be the most enticing prospect for potential buyers. The outside of your property says a lot to any viewer – it’s the first thing they’ll see, after all – so you want to make the best possible impression.
With that in mind, think about doing the following:
- Cut back overhanging trees/branches
- Trimming hedges and cutting the grass
- Relaying flower beds
- Replacing or cutting back dead plantlife
- Neatening up borders
New coat of paint
This can go for both the exterior and interior. A fresh lick of paint can really refresh your home without demanding too much time or money.
If you have a lot of timber on show in the garden – fence, gate, shed, summerhouse – then definitely focus on these. Pick the right preservative coating so the wood is protected, and go to town painting panel by panel.
Inside, repainting will only really be necessary if the old paintwork is chipped or flaking. Although, a more neutral colour scheme could also be beneficial. Viewers will find it easier to visualise themselves living in your home if the walls are coated in inoffensive, clean colours. Glaring, bright walls might be to your tastes, but it can throw someone else off – and the potential sale with them.
Fix things up
Another ‘all over’ tip, but a necessary one. If there are some obvious scuffs, faults or damages that you’re aware of, then assume that anyone coming to view your home will be aware of them too. You want to present your home in the best possible light, so get to work and sort out those nagging issues that have plagued your home for the past few years.
From loose taps, shelves and fittings, to cracks, holes and faulty electrics, survey your entire home and fix whatever you can.
A good tip is, before you repaint your fences or timberwork, check them for any signs of damage. Broken or loose fence posts and panels should be replaced immediately. If you have an old shed in the garden, check the locks and replace them if they’re not working properly. A viewer who can see that you’ve taken care of your home will have more confidence in it, making them more likely to want to put in a good offer.
New soft furnishings
This is particularly useful if you’ve decided to repaint your interior. Soft furnishings are a subtle way of steering the atmosphere of a room in a certain direction. New tablecloths, cushions, lampshades and throws can all bring an attractive, optimistic structure to a home, so go for light, airy colours to go with your more neutral paintwork.
If you haven’t drastically redecorated, then it’s still worth investing in some new soft furnishings to freshen things up a little.
Declutter and depersonalise
Space is king when it comes to selling your home. Decluttering is a useful step very early on in the process, as it allows you to show off more of the space available in the property. While you’re decluttering, it’s also helpful to depersonalise. That means removing those personal knick-knacks, photographs and drawings you might have placed throughout your home.
The reason for this is, as we mentioned earlier, a buyer wants to view a home with themselves in mind. It’s harder to visualise how they would decorate a room if it’s filled with your personal possessions. For the time your home is on the market, replace these with neutral pieces of artwork, or small house plants. Save space and let the buyer decorate with their imagination.
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