So it makes sound financial sense to make the most of what you’ve got by highlighting its existing character and space. Get it right, and you can wow buyers at every stage, from stunning online photography to a fantastic viewing experience. In this blog, we’ll show you how.
BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
When buyers arrive outside your home, those first few moments can truly make or break a sale. Focus on highlighting your property’s natural external character to start viewings on the right foot.
- Try the Victorian art of creating a more expensive look by painting external woodwork in rich, deep tones. It’s a trick that works on any style of home, old or new.
- Clean the brickwork and restore the stonework, or paint it with a realistic stone-like masonry paint such as London Stone or Stony Ground from Farrow & Ball.
- Uncover and renovate original pathways, jet-wash between pavers and tiles, and tidy up the front lawn and plants.
- Make your front door feel special by cleaning and repairing glass panels to increase natural light in your hallway. Polish metal finishes such as letterboxes, locks and handles.
First impressions really do count, so don’t miss the chance to get buyers excited about what’s waiting inside.
SWEEP YOUR BUYERS OFF THEIR FEET
Buyers naturally look down when they step into a home, which means your floors get plenty of attention. How they look and feel underfoot makes a big difference to the viewing experience, so give yours the attention they deserve.
- Wooden floors are hard to beat, particularly original floorboards and parquet that look fabulous when stripped and oiled.
- Could you have original tiles waiting to be rediscovered beneath the flooring in your entrance hall or kitchen? Revealing and renovating them could win you plenty of admirers.
- Give carpets a deep clean to rejuvenate their pile, restore their colour and remove dark dust lines around the edges.
Finally, don’t forget about visible floor space. The more floor you can see, the bigger your home will feel. Clear sightlines to windows, remove clutter from floors, lift plant pots onto stands, and experiment with moving or removing furniture. One small change can make a massive difference.
LIGHT UP YOUR ROOMS
During viewings, people naturally gravitate towards the windows. Light is a big factor for buyers, and the way you dress and present your windows can have a huge impact on their experience of your home.
- Make sure curtains open beyond the width of windows and patio doors to reveal more glass and let in more light.
- Replace cracked or broken panes, then give your windows a thorough clean. It’s incredible how much brighter everything feels with daylight streaming through sparkling glass.
- Use mirrors to give rooms extra depth by reflecting the outdoors while amplifying natural light.
Of course, viewings can also happen after dark. If your ceiling lights or lamps have cold white bulbs, swap them for soft-tone LEDs to make every corner feel more inviting and create a warm, cosy atmosphere.
SEARCH FOR LONG-LOST LOVE
Although a modern kitchen and bathroom are major selling points, buyers also appreciate homes packed with original features, whether they date from the 1850s or the 1950s. Leave no stone unturned as you explore what your home has to offer.
- Look for interior doors that may have been panelled over to see whether you can reveal their original style. You could even replace old wooden panels with etched glass to increase the flow of light around your home.
- Reveal hidden features, beams and interesting structural details where appropriate by removing lowered ceilings.
- Bring out the details in decorative coving and ceiling roses by removing layers of paint with a light wire brush. Then add a stylish pendant or chandelier from retailers such as Next and John Lewis, or look for a vintage find at an auction house.
- Skirting boards, picture rails, architraves, window frames, doors and original cupboards don’t have to be painted gloss white. Colour-matching them to your walls can make rooms feel more spacious while adding a sense of calm.
Finally, there’s a simple improvement that doesn’t require any decorating: give your woodwork a thorough clean. Sometimes, a good scrub is all it takes to transform and revive its appearance.
TURN YOUR HEAT INTO MOMENTS
Unless you have underfloor heating, your home probably has radiators and perhaps a fireplace or two. Are you making the most of their appearance?
- For traditional fireplaces, consider stripping paint from marble, cast iron, timber or tiles to reveal their original beauty. Make the fireplace an eye-catching centrepiece. Style a working grate with logs and fire tools, or add candlesticks, artwork, plants or books.
- Contemporary glass-fronted fireplaces are designed to stand alone, but a low-level shelf in front, styled with carefully chosen glassware, ceramics and coffee-table books, can create an artistic display.
- Give plain radiators a designer touch with oil-based paint in a striking contemporary colour, or match them to your walls so they blend seamlessly into your decor.
Remember, warmth doesn’t just come from fireplaces and radiators. It also comes from how you present them and the character and style they bring to your home.
WHAT’S YOUR NEXT STEP?
Would you like to discover how to realise the full potential value of your home or learn what buyers are looking for in a property?
Drop us a line at askhamish@hamish-homes.co.uk or call 01463250000 for a chat about maximising your sale price and making your move a success.
