Styled to sell fast

If you want to sell your home faster you need to put emotional attachment aside and apply commercial common sense.

As a savvy seller you must show prospective vendors exactly how your home could work for them, presenting it in its very best state. Never assume a buyer will be able to see beyond anything – they are only looking around for a few minutes so take the guess-work out of their visit.

To get ahead in the market establish to whom you need to be appealing. Ask your estate agent’s opinion and look to present your home in a way that will appeal directly to those prospective buyers.

Before any clever room dressing begins, check a few basics. All of us suffer from “familiarity blindness” (overlooking the unfinished paint that we encounter everyday), but these little things can be off-putting to new buyers. Take a step back and look around your home with the critical eye of a stranger: see what needs addressing and sort it!

Many people feel expenditure on a property they are selling is money down the drain. However, view it as marketing expenditure to help achieve the best price.Do not overlook small maintenance jobs, particularly blocked or broken guttering.Buyers are often stretching themselves to buy a home and want reassurance it has been well looked after without the likelihood of hefty bills. If basic upkeep does not appear to have been undertaken buyers simply assume major jobs have also been overlooked.

Never underestimate first impressions, if you delight a buyer on the doorstep you are a long way ahead. Take time to give your front door a fresh coat of paint, or a good wash down if it is uPVC. Ensure fascia boards and windows are well presented and polish door furniture. Don’t forget to keep the front area tidy and any gardens well kept. This will create the all-important “kerb appeal”. Many purchasers drive round for a pre-visit inspection and a well-presented exterior can be the key to taking them to the next stage.

Next, look at the entrance area. It needs to be warm and inviting. Clear clutter away to ease visual impact and maximise the impression of space – promoting a feeling of calm and comfort. All areas need to be dressed for a sale. Tidy toys away, ensure bathrooms are sparkling. On viewing days, think of your home as a magazine show piece, not a place you live in.

Clean and tidy are the watch-words for any sale. Make it simple for yourself by boxing up any items you don’t need and putting them into store until the sale is concluded. A carpet shampoo can be a frightening experience, but fresh-looking, clean-smelling floors are a buyer’s delight.

Beds should be well made – with plump, smartly ironed pillows and duvets. Air your rooms before a viewing to ensure they smell clean and fresh. Use neutral odour eliminators, rather than strong scent if you feel this is also useful. Above all, ensure it feels like a home, albeit a tidy one, so have a smattering of well-placed magazines and pictures.

• www.jamiehempsall.com