It’s a good idea to get your home ready to sell before you actually put it on the market. This means that you will get a realistic valuation, and your home will also look its best for the website photographs. 

Few buyers are looking for a fixer-upper; most would prefer a property they can move straight into and redecorate little by little as time and budget allow. As you plan your pre-sale improvements, set yourself a modest budget, aim for a clean, uncluttered and neutral look and don’t embark on any major refits. 

1.     Declutter

Decluttering is always a good idea, and never more so than when you’re moving house. Most importantly, you want to create the impression of a spacious home, but decluttering also makes packing easier, and helps you get your thoughts in order before you embark on the task of selling your property.

Some people choose to hire a professional declutterer; others take on the job themselves. Writing during the 2021 lockdown, charity shops are closed for donations at the moment, but there are many donation bins around the Guildford area (check supermarket car parks). Surrey County Council’s community recycling centres are also a good solution. 

If you can’t bear to part with any of your possessions, consider renting a storage unit to reduce the amount of stuff in your house or flat. This is a great short-term solution but it can be expensive in the long run. Commit to emptying it within a month after your move – any longer suggests you probably don’t need what you stored! 

2.     Deep clean

A clean, fresh-smelling house feels welcoming and makes the right impression. The pandemic has made us all more hygiene conscious too! You can hire a professional cleaner (we can put you in touch with one) or do it yourself. Cleaning is an inexpensive way of improving your home before you sell it. Like decluttering, it creates a fresh space in which to prepare for the next phase of your property sale. 

3.     Do all those jobs you’ve been putting off

Tightening the screws on the doorhandle, replacing the washer in the kitchen tap are little jobs that are easy to sort out. They count for more than you think – if a buyer sees a dripping tap, they might start to wonder if they’re going to have problems with the plumbing. If they turn a door handle and it’s loose, they might start to question how solid the house is. Don’t plant worries in buyers’ minds. Instead, get on top of all those little jobs, and create the right impression. 

4.     Consider the décor

Neutral décor makes any room look cleaner, brighter and bigger. It also provides a blank canvas for the new owners to work from. Buyers want to imagine themselves living in the property, and not be overwhelmed by the seller’s chosen colour scheme. Most buyers are looking for somewhere that’s ready for them to move into - they can live with white or magnolia walls while they plan how to personalise their new home. 

5.     Shed some light on your property 

Light, bright rooms have a strong appeal for buyers, so if your property has any dark corners, or rooms with small windows, consider ways to bring in some more light. Buy or borrow some lamps and consider hanging a mirror or two to reflect natural light. 

Sell your house in Guildford

There are lots of straightforward, inexpensive jobs you can do in your property to make the right impression on potential buyers. If you need any help prioritising your improvements, please get in touch with the Cobbles team. We can suggest ways to make your home appealing to buyers, based on our long experience of selling property in Guildford. Talk to us today on 01483 457 000 – we’d love to hear from you.