Selling a home in the current economic conditions is challenging to say the least. Whether it’s Victorian properties for sale in London or modern homes for sale in Birmingham, presentation is key to generating offers. If you want to turn a viewing into a sale, avoid the top 10 homebuyer turn-offs.
Damp Basements
Many Victorian properties for sale in London have basements. You also find a lot of lower ground floor and garden flats for sale in Kennington and Cricklewood. Unfortunately, basements are particularly prone to condensation, damp and musty smells. However, they can also represent excellent value for money. Basement flats are usually in period conversions, with many in desirable areas like Kensington and Kew. If you are selling a house with a basement or a lower ground floor flat, make sure the area is very well ventilated.
Lots of Personal Items
Walls plastered with photos and ornaments on every shelf are a big turn-off. Anyone viewing your house doesn’t want to know about your personal taste. They’re trying to imagine themselves living and being happy in the space, which is very difficult to do if every inch is personalised. Keep photos and personal effects to a minimum. Mirrors are great, as they create light and space and buyers will actually see themselves in the space.
Odour
Smell is a very powerful tool when it comes to selling (or not selling!) your property. Fresh bread is always a winner. Pet smells, decaying rubbish, fried food, cigarettes and damp, musty odours are instant turn-offs. If you have a dog, do the old Shake n Vac. Not everyone is a dog lover and the smell is immediately apparent to non-dog owners, even if you no longer notice it.
Transport Noise
Here’s one from Guardian online, which applies in particular to properties for sale in London and homes for sale in Birmingham and other bustling cities. Noise pollution is a big no-no. Buying agent Gabby Adler told the paper: “One of the most common instructions from my clients is that they don’t want to be able to hear any noise from aeroplanes or trains. If your home is blighted by noise pollution, the obvious and hugely effective solution is double or even triple glazing.”
Old Fashioned Kitchens and Bathrooms
Your kitchen cupboards and coloured bathroom suite may have been the height of good taste 20 years ago but they’re probably looking pretty tired now. Brown kitchens, peach bathrooms, flowers on tiles; all now look outdated and just give buyers good reasons to haggle on price. Kitchens and bathrooms can be made to look modern without shelling out thousands of pounds. Spend a few hundred on making a good impression.
Garden Clutter
A massive no-no! Particularly for property for sale in London, where space is at a premium and gardens are such huge selling points. The biggest offenders include: odd-looking plants, children’s playthings, tools left lying around and of course – vehicle tyres!
Search My Homes Unlimited for properties for sale in London and new homes in Birmingham.
Sources: Guardian online.