In recent years, the housing market has seen an increase in homeowners drastically discounting the asking price of their home in order to make a faster sale. Top property sites Rightmove and Zoopla have seen over 35% of the properties listed on their sites reduced in price, with the biggest discounts being made in London.
Yet, with the rise in discounting levels continuing into the New Year, is there any way to make your home more appealing to potential buyers apart from dropping the price in this tumultuous housing climate?
Here are 7 staging and storage tactics you can adopt to avoid lowering the asking price on your home during the selling process.
Make first impressions count
It’s certainly true that first impressions count especially when you are trying to sell your home. As a prospective buyer walks up the pathway, they instantly get a feeling about the exterior of the property and if this doesn’t create a good impression, their perception of the interior is tarnished immediately. Something as simple as tidying up your exterior spaces including the garden, porch and pathways, and putting any outdoor belongings into storage offers a little extra curb appeal when trying to sell your home.
Declutter rooms and hallways
Potential buyers love to envisage what they can do with a property, so having a lot of bulky furniture and clutter in your home makes it harder for them to picture the space. If you are looking to move most of your furniture into a new home, why not consider putting it into storage while you are trying to sell your property? Just keeping essential items in your living spaces opens up a room, making it appear larger and brighter. Also clearing out unwanted items helps to prepare for the packing stage.
Rearrange furniture
Placement of furniture is often based on the space in a room and personal preference, but reconsidering how it is arranged could make your living areas look more attractive. Grouping furniture in cosy spaces and in ways that make traffic flow more easily through the house can help buyers see how they could use the layout themselves.
Create the illusion of space
With space at a premium especially in city locations, making a room appear bigger can help when selling a property. Placing large furniture in storage and creating a light and airy space that blends seamlessly from one room to the next, gives the illusion of space. Other ways to make a room appear bigger include painting walls in natural hues and adding lighting options to smaller, darker areas.
Use natural aesthetics
Bold colours and vibrant wallpaper still have a negative effect on how potential buyers view a home. A property is a representation of your own unique personality and tastes, so considering this when selling is key. No two people are the same, so keeping décor simple when you put it on the market appeals to a larger variety of buyers. It may not be to your liking but by putting this aside you will get a greater chance of achieving the price you want.
Create interest with furnishings and artwork
Although it is advisable to stick to natural aesthetics during the selling period, that doesn’t mean you can’t add a touch of interest in the form of wall art or home accessories. Opting for interesting placements and groupings of ornaments creates a unique interior theme that buyers may aspire to. Accessorising with stylish and eye-catching belongings and furnishings also offers a focal point in a room.
Make affordable kitchen updates
It’s common knowledge that the kitchen is one of the biggest selling points in a property. As people spend more time in this room compared to other living spaces, it is essential to make this space appealing to prospective buyers. Not only will this room help you sell your home, it can also add value to a property, helping you to achieve the asking price from the get go. Of course, updating your kitchen can be expensive, yet little updates can go a long way. Affordable options include giving the room a lick of paint, replacing cupboard doors and shelving, plus giving appliances a professional clean – and putting any you don’t need – think about your blender/food processor/coffee machine for example, into storage.
If you need to put your belongings into storage in order to make your home more attracting to potential buyers, contact our team for both staging and storage advice. Call our Oxfordshire-based head office on 01608 811 444 – we’re here to help.