Affordable methods to make your home sell

Selling your home is not a walk in the park. With prices quickly rising out of the younger generation’s reach and global economic events such as Brexit plunging buyers into uncertainty, homes are languishing on the market for months or even years on end.

While it might seem as though your home is going to be a millstone around your neck forever, it is important not to lose hope. We have put together a list of simple, do-it-yourself tips that can significantly boost your property’s chances of shifting off the market and into the hands of a happy new homeowner.

First impressions are everything 

Home experts believe your property’s appearance on first sight is crucial to hooking in a potential seller.

That means it is time to get busy with those small but vital jobs that you’ve been putting off for ages. Don’t neglect your fronts – mow the lawn regularly, cut back any overgrowing hedges, and fill in those annoying cracks between your paving slabs.

If you are selling a flat, keep the corridor clean and tidy and consider putting some soft furnishings or flowers outside to make your place feel welcoming.

First impressions can make a difference; so don’t blow your chances of a sale before buyers even get through the door.

Let there be light 

A tried-and-tested way to a buyer’s heart is to ensure the interior environment is bathed in as much light as possible. The way to do this is to throw the curtains wide open and allow natural light to flood in. That might not be possible in every room, so if you cannot rely on the sun to brighten up your property consider fitting a high wattage light bulb or giving your ceiling a fresh coat of brilliant white paint.

Add some quirks

Injecting a subtle dose of character into your home can go a long way towards hooking in a potential buyer because it makes your house stand out among the sea of viewings buyers have to endure. You don’t have to fill your house with junk and make it resemble a jumble sale or vintage shop. In fact, that is not a good idea! However, for a quick way to get the wow factor, consider adding some sophisticated and striking design features that will not break the bank. For example, why not let more light in by replacing the curtains in one room with a set of gorgeous, stylish cheap shutters.

Staging your home 

“Home staging,” as it is known among experts, might seem like a chore or even unnecessary – but it is a crucial part of the sale’s promotion process.

You need to ensure that potential buyers can visualise themselves living in your home, so it is a good idea to subtly remove personal items such as family photos. Remember, you can always store them in the cupboard and replace them when viewings are concluded.

We all live with clutter and mess from time to time, but for viewings remember to keep your home spick and span. Your ordinary housework routine might not be enough, so remember to clean those often neglected areas such as skirting boards and sinks.

You might think nobody will notice, but be aware that buyers are eagle-eyed!

Use social media 

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are not just for organising your next night out or showing off your holiday snaps. Social media can be a valuable tool for promoting your property, and it is becoming more popular for sellers to share the online page their estate agent has designed for their property.

Recent estimates suggest people have 338 Facebook friends on average, and even if only some of your network might be interested, having an extra pool of potential buyers ready and waiting is no bad thing.

And if you persuade a few friends to share your home on their profile as well, the word-of-mouth effect can amplify your home’s reach five or ten times over. What’s not to love?

Selling your home in a market as volatile as this one can seem like a daunting task, but luckily, there are handy ways to make your house or flat stand out.

With a bit of a preparation and a well-staged home, you can boost your chances of a sale and get yourself ahead of the competition.