It’s that time of year again - a matter of days before the clocks go forward and those precious daylight hours have already started to increase. Springtime conjures thoughts of the days becoming warmer, spring bulbs blossoming and new life beginning. It’s a time of change and leads many people to consider moving. It is not surprising therefore that the month of March is traditionally one of the best times to list a property for a speedy sale. Here we discuss how to prepare your home to ensure you are ready to welcome buyers!

Do a spring clean now

Clean homes sell faster. While a buyer knows that everything that makes your home yours will be gone when they move in, subconsciously they may be put off if your home is in need of a thorough de-clutter and clean. Finding the time to do this prior to marketing will help sell your property and make the actual move far easier.  It’s a win-win really!

Make your home inviting

We all know that first impressions count, so why not use that to your advantage when trying to sell property. Kerb-appeal is a real thing so, as a minimum, the approach to your property needs to be clean and tidy, so make sure to include this in your spring clean. Wash your windows, sweep paths and clean the porch. Make your home as welcoming as you possibly can as it will give you the edge over similar properties that haven’t received the same levels of TLC.

There are plenty of ways to up the kerb-appeal even further. For instant impact, paint your window ledges and front door to spruce things up. Take advantage of the wonderful seasonal blooms and plant new flowers in your garden or window boxes for extra splashes of colour outside your home.

Let there be light

Poor lighting is one of the most common buyer turn-offs, so be sure you let in as much natural light as possible. For every viewing make sure your curtains are tied back and blinds are fully open. Remove items of furniture or accessories that may be obscuring windows. Dirty windows can cut out a surprising amount of light so make sure windows are spotlessly clean inside and out.

For evening viewings, make sure all bulbs are working and that there are sufficient lights and lamps to make your home feel light and bright no one wants to look around a dark room!

Freshen up your décor

It’s easy to freshen up slightly tired décor with a lick of neutral coloured paint. It’s amazing how marked, scratched walls can be off-putting to potential purchasers. A coat of light paint can also bring out the best in your home by making spaces seem larger and brighter.

Get the garden in shape

Gardens or balconies are a real bonus for any property on the market.  This has never been truer than during the Covid 19 lockdowns when private outside space ranked as one of the top three buyer requirements.  Even with the lifting of restrictions, outside space remains important to many buyers and the promise of spring has most of us dreaming of throwing open the doors and spending time in the garden with our family and friends. Taking some time to prune and clear away the winter leaves and dead plants can make a big difference to a sale - no one likes a neglected garden!

Carry out any minor repairs

When it comes to buying a home, unless the property requires total refurbishment, when trying to achieve maximum value for your property buyers don't want a big list of repairs to complete. Selling a home with leaky taps, peeling wallpaper, and sticky doors can detract from the look and feel of the property, so it is wise to ensure that all minor repairs are completed before the beginning of a marketing campaign. You want to give the buyer confidence that the house has indeed been well looked after.

Get rid of odours

Scent is powerfully linked to our emotions and unpleasant smell such as damp, lingering cooking smells or rubbish bins can make viewers think negatively about your property. Scent marketing is an effective technique to use when you're trying to sell your house.

Avoid plug in air fresheners, as these can often suggest you are trying to disguise a bad odour. Instead, opt for natural scents such as freshly cut flowers or baking bread. Scented candles are also effective and the good quality candles fragrance a room beautifully, even unlit.  Even simply airing your home in advance of viewings by opening windows can make a world of difference.

There is unprecedented demand for homes in the Tunbridge Wells area at the moment, so rest-assured if a fast, above market-rate sale is what you are looking for, our team can help! If you would like friendly, professional guidance on selling your home, why not  contact our fabulous Maddisons team. We would love to help your property reach its full sale-price potential