The property market is hot right now, make no mistake, with homes selling between 42 and 80 days after being put in the market here in the UK. Indeed, the pandemic has prompted many people to look for bigger homes, or homes in rural areas, desperate for the space and sense of security that such larger properties afford.
Nevertheless, despite the fact that house prices are rising and it’s easier to sell right now, there are still things homeowners can do to ensure they achieve the highest possible selling price for their properties. These are those; here’s how to get the best possible price when selling a home.
Market At The Right Price
The asking price of your property is all-important. Too high, and interest will be lower. Too low and you may end up with too much interest and end up accepting a lower offer too quickly.
It pays to be familiar with the local housing market before you invite an estate agent round to value your home. Some estate agents will offer a higher property valuation to secure your business, but the problem here is that the property won’t attract as much interest.
Indeed, once a home has been on the market longer than average, it becomes much harder to achieve the maximum selling price. This is something you want to avoid, so don’t overreach yourself with the initial asking price.
Stage Your Home
In the US, it is common to use home staging companies, but that’s less of a thing in the UK. However, it makes sense to adopt the same techniques if you want to attract more buyers, which will drive the price up.
Buyers need to be able to view a home and imagine themselves living there. It’s difficult to do this when the décor is very personal, and it is full of ornaments and items personal to the homeowner.
Remove all the clutter, boxing it up and placing it in the garage or in storage. This includes things like ornaments, family photos, and all the miscellaneous items gathering dust on shelves. You don’t need to pack everything away – too generic is almost as bad as too cluttered.
Make sure the décor is fairly neutral, such as cream, pale grey, and beige. It might not be your choice, but it is more likely to appeal to a greater number of buyers.
Remove extra pieces of furniture and ensure bedrooms are styled as bedrooms, not junk rooms. Everywhere should be clean and tidy before buyers arrive for a viewing. Keep pets out of the way and open windows to air the rooms out.
Once all these improvements are done, it’s time to take a lot of photos that will make your home look amazing. Should you be doing things alone rather than hiring a photographer, it’s probably sensible to invest in some quality picture editing services that will ensure that the photos look professional and appealing to potential buyers. It’s that simple; make your home look the best it possibly can so that buyers will be willing to pay the highest price for it.
Boost Kerb Appeal
First impressions count. If a property looks unwelcoming when a buyer arrives, they are unlikely to change their mind after viewing the interior. On the flipside, a house that appears well-kempt, coiffured and tidy as potential buyers approach the door can start the selling journey off on the right foot before anyone has even set foot in your property.
There are plenty of ways you can boost kerb appeal and make your property look as appealing as possible from the outside. These include:
- Revamping your front door – blue and green are reportedly the most appealing colurs to prospective buyers.
- Transforming your front garden – plant new flower beds, lay a new patio, or add decking.
- Install energy efficient windows that look clean and congruous with the rest of your property from the outside.
- Tidying up your drive – give it a power wash at the very least.
- Maintaining your front garden – make sure your lawn is watered, at the very least.
- Keep your bins out of sight.
- Make sure your gutters are clean and free from debris.
Home Renovations To Increase Value
If you’re considering a more all-encompassing, time consuming project than simply watering your lawn and moving the bins out of view, then rest assured there are plenty of home renovation projects that can increase the value of our home far beyond the money you invest in them.
Earlier this year, the interior design company Neville Johnson revealed five of the best home renovations to increase your property’s value in 2022. These included adding a new staircase, introducing a dressing room and making room for a home library. You can read more on that here.
And with that, we wish you all the best in your sale and move to a new home. Good luck!