Pets photo-bombing

Hi, this is my house !

Let me in!! I want to be in the photo too!

Wouldn't you want some peace and quiet?

This is the lounge and this is MY rug!

I'm just playing with my ball, don't mind me!

Preparing your home for sale. The lounge

In some homes the lounge is the first room that you walk into, straight from the front door although most homes benefit of having a hallway. 

Because of this your lounge needs to be have a wow factor. It needs to be a place that your potential buyer can see themselves living and calling this their home whether it's for their sole use or a place for the family to gather. 

Many people feel that the lounge is one of the most important rooms in the house as it is the place families will spend a lot of time in - relaxing, watching TV, entertaining and socialising.

Because we spend to much time in our lounge, we often end up collecting clutter and making our lounge look smaller than it really is. 
Having a clear out and making your room actually feel like a lounge and not a large storage room. Showing more floor space can give the illusion that there is more floor space.

Try to clear children's and pet toys away. If you cannot put them away maybe store them in tasteful storage boxes or baskets. Make sure books and CD's are neatly stacked on the shelf. Keep your coffee tables clear or magazines, cups etc and replace them with a central display such as a bowl of fruit of flowers.

Finally, open your windows to that your home smells fresh and clean. Nobody likes a smelly home. 

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Would you like tailor made advice to help you sell your home? If so, please call Paul today on 01279 426888 or email paul.harten@hotmail.co.uk.

Read our Blog on First Impressions next!!  

First impressions really do count!

The hallway in your home is the very first reception space. It is essential that you make a good impression to your potential buyer.

Your hallway needs to feel welcoming. If buyers like your hallway they will want to continue to view your property. This is the first place your buyer will notice if your home is well-kept or untidy, fresh or smelly and light or dark. 

Stand back and take a look at your hallway, what do you have stored or even dumped here? It is time clear the space and get rid of the stuff that is making your hallway look smaller than it actually is.





Coats and shoes
Do you have so many coats that they are falling off the hooks? Put them away! Coats that are rarely worn can get put away in wardrobes upstairs or even tucked away in a cupboard. Avoid the temptation to throw your jacket on the stairs or over the newel post on the stairs. If you have have a nice feature staircase you need to show it off not hide it.

Shoes can also be a problem in this area as this is where they usually get kicked off here and left in piles. Consider investing in a shoe rack to avoid this. If they have to be in the hallway, store them neat and tidy and get rid of muddy smelly trainers. 



Daily Life
Daily life needs to be hidden away. By this I mean keys, post and even kid's school bags. If you have a pram or a child's car seat, put them in the car whilst viewings are taking place. You need to make your hallway feel as spacious as possible.

If your hallway is dark, try adding some feature lighting. Flowers add colour and polished flooring will make it look cleaner. The above photo tells us that this is a well cared for home. 
Your hallway greets your prospective buyer and its the final lasting impression as they leave.

What does your hallway say about you? 

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Would you like tailor made advice to help you sell your home? If so, please call Paul today on 01279 426888 or email paul.harten@belvoir.co.uk 

How to make your bedroom look bigger

Does your bedroom look small and crowded? Instead of considering to move house, take a look at our tips on how to make your bedroom look bigger. 

Remove all clutter
Clutter can make any room feel smaller. Try and remove all 'paperwork', extra pillows and unnecessary accessories. A fewer quantity of items that are larger can make your room feel bigger. Find a hidden place for your everyday items such as your purse, phone and clothes instead of leaving them on any empty horizontal surface. 

Bed
Everyone loves a large bed, but you don't need a tall bed. Although tall mattresses are popular, they can make your room feel smaller. Four poster beds can create a visual barrier in your room and make it seem smaller than it actually is. Consider having a wall mounted headboard and no foot board to gain a few inches of floor space. 

Bedding
Patterned bedding with many colours and shapes (floral) tends to draw your attraction straight to the bed and can make your room look cluttered. Simple solid bedding in a light colour will brighten you bedroom and make it feel larger. 

Light
Make sure there is plenty of light in your bedroom. Keep your curtains open to let in daylight and have several sources of light in your room instead of just one light. 

Mirrors
Mirrors make a room feel larger than it is. Consider having one large mirror in your bedroom will double the light's impact and make the space grow. 

Ceiling
Draw attention to your ceiling in order to bring your eye level up in the room. You can add a unique light fixture or paint the ceiling a light colour other than white. 

Lighter colours

Instead of dark and rich colours, go for lighter and brighter colours for your bedroom. You can have an all white room to make your bedroom seem very spacious. 

The importance of kerb appeal

"The idea of kerb appeal is to give your home an inviting look that makes the buyer want to stop and take a look inside".

Below are some tips on how to improve the external appearance of your home. This doesn't have to cost you a fortune but a little time and effort alone can work wonders.

If you want your home to look the best on the street, follow some of these handy tips!  

Paint your front door

Give your front door some love! This is probably the most important factor when it comes to kerb appeal as this is where your potential buyer will stand and wait until you, or your estate agent opens it. If you have a UPVC door it may be that your front door just needs a clean to get rid of any cobwebs or marks. If you have a wooden door you may want to freshen up the paint work. You might wish to go classical (like me), in which case black is always a safe bet. 

Your door furniture 
Take a look at your door handle, the letterbox, the number on your door and your door knocker. 

What does your furniture say about you? Rusty? Old-fashioned? Good door furniture can make all the difference. Keep your choice of furniture in character with the style of your home. If your home is modern, go for something contemporary! Think chrome or stainless steel. There are contemporary house numbers now available for the more modern home. 

Windows

Do you windows look clean? When I say clean I mean, do they sparkle? Clean windows make all the difference and can make a room look brighter. Grubby windows can make the property look like it isn't cared for. If they are painted or stained do they need to be freshened up? If they need replacing its a further expense they may wish to consider. You should also look at dressing your window. How do your curtains hang? Do you tie your curtains back slightly?What does your window say about your home?

Your frontage
Every home has a frontage. Even if your home opens out to the pavement. Keep it tidy and remove the weeds. If you are fortunate to have a front garden, cut the grass, trim the hedges, paint the fence and gate. Make it look spick and span! You want your property to look the best on the street!  For those without a front garden, how about a window box to brighten up the outside of your home? Some fresh flowers in a window box can distract your eyes away from the window too! 

Fascias and Guttering's

You want to create a perfect impression. Take a look at your fascias and guttering's. Do they need to be painted? If the gutter is growing weeds, please have them cleared out. 

Your next door neighbour
If your neighbours home is letting you down, you could make a suggestion as to how this would benefit you both. If they are elderly and their front garden is a little bit uncared for, offer your assistance. Remember this is going to help towards the sale of your home. 

If you truly want to sell the home then please consider the above! 

We offer a FREE house doctor service where we can advise you on what we think would be the best way to help sell your home, attract more buyers and get you the best offer.

Call us today to arrange your FREE appraisal or email Billy Smith !