Property Presentation
Whether you are planning to move home or not, it’s important that your home feels exactly that, like home. Often when we live somewhere we put our ‘mark on it’. We decorate it according to our personal taste and we furnish it with the things we like and want to have around us. We may adorn our shelves or walls with photographs of family or pin memories on our fridge doors. All these things make us feel like we are at home.
However, when you’ve got your house on the market it’s about making prospective buyers feel at home. It might be difficult or even emotional but ‘depersonalising’ your property will help it sell. It is also, arguably a gentle way to ease to your transition and eventual detachment from the property.
- Remove as many personal photographs as you can. The process of moving house can be an emotional one, so be kind to yourself. If removing certain photos upset you, then leave them! Perhaps pop them in a box or drawer nearby, to look through if need be.
- Remove any excess coats or shoes from any hallways, boot rooms.
- Declutter shelves, windowsills or ornaments, frames, etc.
- Declutter kitchen surfaces, cooking areas. Consider an oven clean, if need be.
- If carpets need a new lease of life, consider carpet cleaning to give the property a clean and fresh smell.
It’s often said you know a property is right for you in under ten seconds. Unless you’ve managed to see every inch of a property in that time, we can only put that down to a ‘gut feeling’. In other words, it just feels right. You can imagine yourself in the house. You can see yourself living there. The energy of a house can make us feel all manner of ways and many factors can contribute to this, either positively or negatively.
Kerb Appeal
Whether you have a small or large front garden or just a porch, doorway or pathway it’s important to give a first good impression. Ensure this area is clear, clean and welcoming.
If there are cars parked in a driveway that you have to squeeze by to get to the front door then consider parking them on the road or nearby for viewings.
If bins are in view perhaps consider screening or moving to another area.
If there are pots of dying plants either remove or fill them with new plants. Boot sales and village fayres and of course local plant sales are great places to pick up cheap plants. Also consider relocating plants that you already have.
A new coat of paint on a tired front door can be transformative.
Light
Light is a key factor in how a house not only looks but feels. If rooms are dark then they can often feel smaller than they are or an unwelcoming and uncomfortable space to be in. Lots of natural light is the answer. Heavy curtains or anything near or obstructing windows should be removed to allow the most daylight you can in.
Smells
Smells or aroma can be a conscious and/or subconscious factor in how feel about a space we inhabit. If you have pets, you may have become ‘smell blind’ to their aroma. Keep a flow of air through if you can, open windows to allow for fresh air to permeate. It’s best to avoid strong smelling air fresheners as they can be overpowering. Keep any smells to a minimum if you are adding any. Lavender, vanilla even fresh coffee are gentle calming smells. A simple vase of fresh flowers would do the trick, but don’t over do it, just one on the kitchen table or a window sill somewhere works well.