5 Expert tips for selling your house quickly

Ever wondered why some houses are barely on the market for a week when others hang around unsold for ages? Here are some tips to help you get your home ready to sell so that it’s snapped up…Before I bought my home, it was a mystery to me why some houses would sell so quickly – often before I’d even had the chance to call the estate agent to arrange a viewing. I found myself missing out on so many properties because they were snapped up by eager buyers. And, on the other hand, I found myself looking at the same listings for the same houses over and over again as they failed to sell for months and the price kept dropping.So, why do some properties get stuck on the market for ages, and others do the deal in just a few days? I’ve done my research with the experts at www.getagent.co.uk to find out what can be done to make a house sell quickly so, if you’re planning to move in the near future, here are some tips to help get you started.

CLEAR IT!

If you’re planning to move, I’m sure you won’t need to take all that stuff with you, so now is a great time to declutter your belongings. At least, that’s what I’ve done every time I’ve moved house in the past. I find that packing up your stuff helps you to get really clear on what you want to keep, what’s essential and what you can do without. You’ll no doubt come across things that you have no idea where they came from or why you have them, so these items can go straight to the charity shop! Having a clear out will free up space on your shelves, which will make your home look less cluttered and therefore more spacious. And if you can put bulkier pieces of furniture into storage that’s great news as it’s easier for buyers to imagine their own items in a clutter-free space.

CLEAN IT!

Of course you should whip around with the vacuum before a viewing, but that’s not really what I’m talking about here. I mean the kind of thorough ‘spring clean’ you do just once a year (if you’re at all like me!). Cleaning the windows will let in more light and make rooms feel brighter. Scrubbing out kitchen and bathroom cupboards will make buyers think they’ve got many more years of use before they’ll need to replace the units. Oh, and don’t forget the carpets. You can hire (or buy) a carpet cleaner vacuum to get rid of stains and make them smell fresh – they’ll be almost as good as new when you’re done. 

SNIFF IT!

 You know when you go into someone else’s home and you notice the smell? It fades after a while but it’s that first impression that you want to get right. No, you might not really notice the scent of your own home – good or bad – so maybe ask a friend to come round and have a sniff! You pets might be creating a whiff without you realising it so clean their bedding and blankets. And sinks can cause a horrid niff when there’s a blockage so give pipes and traps a thorough clean out.We all know about that old estate agent trick of freshly baked bread in the oven but you don’t have to go that far, in fact GetAgent says “estate agents have been using pleasant smells to sell houses for many years, so brewing fresh coffee or lighting a citrus scented candle can help express a homely feel during viewings.” At the very least, you should empty the bins and air the house thoroughly before a viewing takes place.

REPAIR IT!

According to GetAgent, “many buyers want to move into a house without having to make a lot of changes, so making minor repairs is an important factor when selling a house.” I completely agree – it’s those broken tiles or missing cupboard handles that make you think that a house hasn’t been loved… and buyers will begin looking for more problems as a result. It’s amazing what a difference a fresh coat of paint can make to a room. Covering up those scuffs or chips doesn’t take long or cost much but will make buyers think that your house has been well maintained. And, if you’re going do some painting, you might as well make the colours light and neutral so that the room looks cleaner, brighter and larger.

LIST IT!

The reason why some houses get stuck on the market for ages can be down to the way it’s being sold. Therefore, choosing the right estate agent can make a world of difference. I’ve browsed through countless listings online when I was buying my house only to be uninspired by the dark, unclear photos, and the poor, non-detailed descriptions.In fact, I’ve seen an agent’s photos of a relative’s house that made it look like a shoddy, unloved property (the kind that would be described as complete renovation required) when I knew that the house was well cared for, light and spacious in reality. So getting a good agent who can put across the features of the property in an enthusiastic and positive way and a great photographer who can make your home look as lovely as it is are two of the most important factors in selling your home quickly.

Thanks to getagent.co.uk for collaborating with me to share these handy tips and ideas for selling your home.

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