speedy house sale tips

[bazzard]

With the housing market being what it is, I want a fast and smooth house sale. I have lined up an estate agent, spruced up the house, removed all the clutter, but not tackled the garden yet, have got a duplicate set of house keys for the agent. I am thinking of commissioning a HIP very soon, but that is all I have done so far. Any good tips would be welcome.

[Clanad]

We've a close relative that is a successful real estate agent here in the U.S. Although the markets are probably significantly different, our relative has certain "rules" that are set in place before showing a prospective buyer a client's home.
Firstly, all of the interior ligths are turned on. A fresh bouqet of flowers is placed on the kitchen counter as well as in the master or largest bath... little touches that add warmth and invitation.
You say you've removed clutter, but have you removed all of the personal items? Family pictures, awards, trophies, the bathrobe behind the bedroom or bath door are all major detractors. The sales agents job is to show the house in the best possibile light (no pun intended) but also to reinforce the 'feeling' of the prospective buyer that this could easily be their house... not just moving into someone else's house. Ownership is a very private, personal thing and a real focus for a good estate sales person. (Your bedspread is clean, neat and without wrinkles isn't it?).... Best of luck!

[bazzard]

Thank you for your answer. Yes, all the personal items have been thrown away or sold & the house looks neutral and multi-purpose. The house will be unoccupied, although thank you for the tips about flowers. I am going to use a plug-in air freshener and have evergreen houseplants in tip-top condition. Al the bedlinen & tea towels have been freshly laundered & although I don't have an eye for design, the furniture that is left, has been arranged to allow a flow of movement for the prospective purchasers, around the house. I hope that the selling of the house can be dove-tailed carefully, so that there are no hold-ups.

[bimbo123456]

I used the classic.......cookies in the oven and fresh coffee. You need to make sure they don't burn though. also, remember kerb appeal. Some people drive past to have a look so a few flower tubs, hanging baskets and even (yes, in March) a mown lawn can help. If you have a block drive consider having it cleaned and weeded.

[bazzard]

Unfortunately the house is unoccupied otherwise I would do something delectable in the oven. I will arrange for a gardener to attend to the lawn and I will enjoy planting a few colourful flowers, for kerb appeal. Thank you for your ideas.

[rabbitygirl]

Most peope are wise to the baking smells now. And too much floral air freshening arouses suspicions as well.

Keep it looking nice but at the end of the day it is about waiting for the buyer who finds the house exactly what he is looking for - and means it when he says it.

Above all it is about the right price. Which is not always what the agent advises either. Good luck.

[bazzard]

I think that I'll have to speak to my solicitor and get her to advise me what I can be doing now, as I am waiting for probate to come through. Maybe the land registry search could be done.

[annie0000]

A little touch I alsways use is to have a nice bowl of 1 type of fruit in the kitchen or dining room - depending on what your colour scheme is either:

Oranges - very nice in a blue colourscheme
Granny Smith Apples - goes well with a fresh colourscheme
Limes
Lemons
Highly polished red apples - Macintosh are great if you can get them.

Even if the house in unoccupied these will be fine as they will last well.

And get on with the garden - A hanging basket is always a good touch, but it is a bit early to get a good one. I would go for a nice pot with a bit of colour- you may even be able to get some bedding plants in flower.

Make sure your front door is spotless.

Make sure your windows are clean and any blinds are up to maximise the light.

[bazzard]

I'm not very good at colour coordination, so your tips about fruit were great. Most of the glass has been polished until it gleams, but I need to try to make the PVC frames sparkle too. Storms are due on Monday, so I'll leave the planting to another day. I'll get some fast acting weedkiller on the stubborn path weeds too.

[annie0000]

A good cleaner for your frames - and most other things - is to dissolve dish washer tablets in hot water.

The basic rule of selling your house is to clean, clean - then clean again.

[annie0000]

Oh - and best of luck!

[bazzard]

I hadn't heard of this tip before. I'll try it and see. I wonder whether denture cleaner tablets would have the same effect on the PVC window frames? Thank you anyhow.