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Absolutely! Autumn is one of the busiest times in the property market, so it makes perfect sense to try to make it stand out above the rest. Think show home – clean, minimal, and uncluttered. To do that however, you need to see it through fresh eyes. Try to remove your emotions and follow these essential steps for a speedier sale.
First impressions - Stand outside and look at your home from a buyer’s perspective. Make sure the gardens are neat and tidy - mow the lawn, remove weeds, trim hedges, clean paving, and remove or replace the broken plant pot. Try to hide or neatly order your bins. And maybe plant some yellow flowers – sunny yellow is said to evoke a buying mood!
The small things - Begin inside by decluttering - and start small. Pack away some photos and ornaments to leave a few choice pieces on display. Tidy bathroom bottles into cupboards or baskets. And clear your kitchen worktops. Treat this as a way of getting ahead with packing. Try using the mantra: love it, use it or lose it.
The big things - Buyers should be able to picture their own belongings in each room so think minimal furnishings. Perhaps rent a storage unit to store some pieces short term? Create plenty of room for buyers to move around but leave enough furniture to make the purpose of each room clear, and to retain that homely feel.
Create order – even inside cupboards! - Being meticulous about how objects are arranged in everything from the mantlepiece to the office and kitchen will create a sense of calm. And, as much as we don’t want buyers to see inside our cupboards, they need to see what storage space the property has, so put some order into these places too. The cupboards look bigger, and it reflects a good impression in your general upkeep of the property.
Make minor repairs - Now is the time to do the small jobs you’ve been putting off – like applying new sealant on the bath or repairing a chip in a wall. If your DIY skills are limited, consider hiring a handyman for a few hours to get them done.
Simple colour scheme - You may love colourful walls, but they are not for everyone. Remember, think show home. It’s worth painting rooms in neutral tones, as bright colours can distract buyers from imagining it as their own.
Clean, clean, clean - Make your home sparkle with a thorough clean - wash windows, polish taps, bleach grotty grout and dust everywhere. Keep on top of mess, vacuum every day and open windows for fresh air.
Finally, stand in the doorway of every room and imagine what a buyer would be thinking. Does the property have appeal and impact inside and out? Answer yes, and your work is done!
If you’d like any advice specific to your property, or if you’d like us to pop round and have a look, or just when you feel ready, you can book a consultation via our website and we’ll call you, or you can call us on 01392 204800 and we’ll be happy to help.
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Best Estate Agent in Exeter 2023 Best Estate Agent in EX1 2023 Best Letting Agent in Exeter 2023 Best Letting Agent in EX1 2023
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The beautiful Bampfylde House in Black Torrington made it into Horse & Hound magazine!
To view, call us on 01392 204800.
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Congratulations on making that decision! You need to get some sound financial advice. Understanding how much you can afford to pay for a new home is critical before you can start your search, so first, you need to find out how much you can borrow on a mortgage.
I’d advise, if you can, to buy as much house as you can afford without overstretching your monthly budget as you’ll have other bills to pay as well as a mortgage, and you’ll need a ‘cushion’ to cover any decorating and furnishings, and in case of rising costs, for example.
It all starts with the amount you have at your disposal to use as a deposit, bearing in mind that this also needs to cover the cost of purchasing too – Stamp Duty, solicitors fees, etc.
Looking at your income and outgoings will help you to work out how much you can afford to re-pay on your mortgage every month. Then using those figures, you will be able to calculate how much you can afford to borrow – and more importantly, how much a lender will be willing to lend to you, as well as the amount of each monthly repayment.
Most lenders have mortgage calculators on their websites, but I’d advise you to make an appointment to sit down with an Independent Financial Advisor, who have access to the best available information and mortgage rates. I say an independent FA specifically because they should have access to the ‘whole of market’ rather than be tied to one specific lender. They’ll also advise if you’d be eligible for any government schemes to help you onto the ladder.
Knowing what you can affordably borrow and how much you have for a deposit, you can then work out which properties are within your reach, and you can start your search!
I would recommend that you don’t physically view any properties until you know how much you can spend – if you do this, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment when you’ve seen a home you really want, only to find out you can’t afford to buy it. There’s nothing worse!
We can help point you in the right direction for financial advice, and of course we can help you find your new home - just give us a call when you’re ready, on 01392 204800. We look forward to helping you!
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Do they actually work or are they old wives’ tales? Either way, they’re a fun way to mark the beginning of a new and exciting phase in life! Have you done any of these?
Avoid moving on a rainy day: it’s said to be unlucky.
Light a candle: Lighting a candle on the first night in your new home is a blessing ritual that purifies the home from evil spirits and casts out the darkness. Not to mention, it will also create a cosy ambience for your first evening spent at the new house.
Exit through the same door you entered: According to Irish tradition, it is said that you should exit through the same door you entered when you first arrived at the house, or otherwise you will never fully settle in.
Carry uncooked rice: In pagan superstition, it is believed that carrying uncooked rice when you step through the threshold of your new house brings fortune and means that no one will go hungry under this roof.
Don’t accept knives or other sharp items as a housewarming gift: It may be rude to reject a present, but in some cultures, it is thought that when you receive sharp items as a housewarming gift, then your friendship with the giver will be cut. You should only accept the present if you offer a penny in return.
Scatter coins on the floor: If you have any loose change, then scatter it across the living room floor on moving day to bring prosperity and positive energy to the household.
Ring a bell: The sound of bells clears the space from stagnant feng shui and makes room for new and positive energies to enter the house.
Burn sage: Burning sage cleanses the house and its aura, infusing it with peace and happiness. Saging also has a practical purpose, as it gets rid of common household toxins and improves air quality.
Leave your old broom or mop behind: It’s a common superstition that you shouldn’t bring along an old broom or mop to your new home, as it carries all the dirt and dust from your previous house. Leave the old sweeper behind to start fresh in your new home.
Bring bread and salt: Bringing bread and salt is a popular housewarming tradition in many European cultures - a loaf of bread ensures that there will be food in the house and salt will provide flavour to life.
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