Spring clean and prepare for home sale rise

The cold snap may be well and truly biting, but with the industry anticipating a rise in house sales – now is the perfect time for sellers to spring-clean their home.

According to the latest housing market survey by RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors), house sales across the UK look set to increase significantly during the next three months.

In addition, RICS says that house prices remained stable in December and that the market in some parts of the country has bottomed out and “may now be over the very worst”.

So, if you are serious about selling, now is the time to move your home out of the winter blues and keep one step ahead of the competition.

But how can a seller have the edge over the neighbouring For Sale board and attract prospective buyers to their property?

Here are some simple yet effective tips from independent estate agents Harrison Murray. 

Clutter control. The real crux of a Spring Clean, to make or at least give the illusion of more space, is de-cluttering. In preparation for viewings, pack away anyitems that may make your home look crowded. Potential buyers will want to imagine themselves in the property with their belongings. Ensure any dryinglaundry is hidden from view, and if you use part of your home as an office,clear away any paperwork. 

Looking good – inside and out. As well as considering a neutral look for the interior of your home, with an all-over lick of magnolia or something similar, think about the exterior of your property. Check and repair any garden gates or fences, paint window frames and clean window panes, clear paths of weeds and make the entrance to your home inviting with some freshly planted pot plants. Giving your home kerb appeal is the first step to engaging with a buyer. 

Keeping it simple. Less is more, as they saying goes – and you don’t have to spend a fortune when it comes to interiors. A few strategically placed throws and rugs to tone down any patterned sofas or carpets will bring older interiors up to date. Create the illusion of space by placing furniture at angles around the room. 

Make the most of your space. When you have a small kitchen every inch of space counts. We probably all have more gadgets than we need or use, so put them away out of sight and leave worktops clutter-free. Making the most of drawer or cupboard space, and installing space saving ideas like tilt-out bins are a great move. Shelves and racks can also address the storage issue. 

Garage Storage If like the majority of homeowners you use your garage for storing everything apart from the car, keeping it clutter free will give viewers an idea of how much space there is. They may have their own ideas for garage use – so keep tools, Christmas decorations and other items stored in boxes or hooked on the wall. Don’t hide this vital space under a pile of ‘junk’. 

Outdoor Areas Gardens and patios can seem a bit dull at this time of year, but you can still make the most of what space you have with a general tidy up and simple repairs. Plant up containers of late winter or early spring flowers and make the most of the view by cleaning the windows inside and out. 

Choose your agent wisely It goes without saying that your estate agent should be reputable. Choose an agent like Harrison Murray who are long established in the area and belong to the National Association of Estate Agents and are members of the Property Ombudsman Scheme. Or get a personal recommendation from friends.

Help and advice on how to make the most of your home for sale is available at your local Harrison Murray branch, or visit the website harrisonmurray.co.uk.