Easy tips to help get your property market ready during lockdown  

21st April 2020

Easy tips to help get your property market ready during lockdown   

As the world is in lockdown, it is only natural for us all to start assessing our homes, after all, we have currently been in them for the past three weeks – some even longer. With three more weeks ahead of us it’s easy to start daydreaming of what the future may hold and for many homeowners that means getting ready to put their house on the market post lockdown.

Knowing what areas of your home to target before marketing can be a daunting task, so we have put together some top-tips from our team of experts and up to date guidance from the property press.

 

1: Tidy personal items away and declutter

Clutter is a big distraction with 28% of female house viewers focusing on clutter within a property. Clutter, mess and personal items draw the buyer’s attention away from the property, distracting them from the important elements of the room.  - Anglian Home Improvements.

 

2: Refresh your paintwork

Find that pot of left-over paint in your garage or shed and touch up any scuffs or marks to ensure your walls look fresh and less tired. If you are looking for something more extreme there are some retailers selling paint online which can be delivered during lock-down. But remember home decoration is not seen as essential so don’t feel tempted to take a drive to the local DIY store.

 

3: Finish your to-do list

“Complete small tasks around the house, that have been neglected, such as hanging pictures or fixing wobbly chairs.”  -Jane Macfarland, The Sunday Times.

 

4: Outdoor space

It’s not just the house that your buyers are looking at, but also your outdoor space. If you have a patio or balcony, maybe now is the time to dust of the power washer and clean away any algae or rust after our long, wet winter. If you have a garden start looking at ways to get it looking it’s best, make sure the grass is cut, prune back those hedges that obscure your view, or finally give your deck the coat of varnish you have been meaning to do since last summer. Well kept gardens not only make your property look more appealing but they can add value too.

 

5: Freshen up your textiles.

Cushions, throws, curtains and sofa covers have all just emerged from winter and with the arrival of spring it’s the perfect time to freshen them all up, clean and fresh textiles will lift rooms and make them appealing.

 

6: The Senses

As well as getting our homes looking right, we also need to make sure they smell appealing. Of all our senses we have the most sensitive receptors in our nose. The right smell can evoke memories or nostalgia and often make buyers feel at home as soon as they set a foot in the door. If your home is coastal perhaps think about coastal scented candles, if your home is rural, maybe a bouquet of wild flowers. “Selling your home is about creating a picture for all the senses” - Prunella Martin - Director Prime Waterfront & Country House, Marchand Petit

 

7: Marie Kondo your storage areas

Marie Kondo is Japans leading tidying expert; she explores new ways to tidy your home so you keep only the items that bring you joy.

“Most tidying methods advocate a room-by-room or little-by-little approach, which doom you to pick away at your piles of stuff forever.

The KonMari Method™ encourages tidying by category – not by location – beginning with clothes, then moving on to books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), and, finally, sentimental items. Keep only those things that speak to the heart, and discard items that no longer spark joy. Thank them for their service – then let them go.

People around the world have been drawn to this philosophy not only due to its effectiveness, but also because it places great importance on being mindful, introspective and forward-looking.” www.konmarie.com

 

8: Give your bookshelves a make-over

Book shelves can really add a layer of interest to a room, but if messy or overloaded, they can make a space feel smaller or cluttered. Take a look at your book collection and tidy away any excess clutter. Other ways to add interest include, colour coding your collection, or breaking up the books with objects of interest.

 

9: Create interest in your kitchen

The kitchen really is the heart of most homes, so why not look at ways to make it more interesting for potential buyers, rearrange cupboards or create areas of interest, such as displaying potted herbs, or creating stylised areas such as a decorative tray displaying a decanter and glasses.
 

10: Clean your windows

Cleaning your windows from the inside can add immediate impact to your home, as well as cleaning window sills and dressings such as blinds, curtains and shutters. Most buyers will take time to look at views through windows so making sure they are clean and dust free is a must.

Follow these tips during lockdown will mean your home should begin to look ready for the market as well as feeling a better place to live in. For more tips on getting your home ready for market or making the most of it during lockdown, keep an eye on our social media pages and our website and in the meantime stay home and stay safe!