Selling your home? How to style it in the best light to attract buyers

Three easy steps to handing over the keys

For 12 months, most of us have felt as if life has been put on ice. And the housing market is no different, making an interesting metaphor for our lives in the age of the coronavirus. Shall we move, shan’t we? Will we move, won’t we? We don’t need to move, or do we? Everything’s changed, but let’s just get on with it. At the end of it all, the only thing on ice should be the Champagne.

For some, moving house is a lifestyle change. A charge to the countryside starts with some businesses sounding the starter pistol by letting go of their corporate offices. If people are working from home the office is just costly empty space. In turn, this causes an urban vacuum, which drives down rents and frees up housing.

And then there’s the financial incentives of stamp duty holidays and 95% mortgages.

So, although it’s a period of uncertainty generally, it’s not surprising that the housing market has been buoyant, with estate agents recording an 34% increase in demand compared to this time last year when the long-term effects of Covid-19 were unknown or inconceivable.

Of course, making the decision to sell your home and actually finalising the deal, are completely different things. So, what’s the best way to reach your goal?

Tell a story

Buyers are told to look at the potential of a building, but most people find it difficult to imagine what they can’t see. Appeal to people by telling them an aspirational story by showing some personality. You’re home obviously needs to be tidy, but that doesn’t mean it has to be so minimalist potential buyers think it’s a museum rather than a home. If it’s a family home, there’s nothing wrong with showing that. You might be fed up with all your son’s sporting paraphernalia, but it could be the way to highlight unique storage solutions, or be used to create a beautiful display. Get creative.

Show some style

It’s a fine line between styling your home to make it as attractive as possible, and false advertising. Keep it honest. Have a spring clean, declutter and have a look at how you can make your home as inviting as possible. This could be painting a couple of walls, or styling some dark corners with table lamps and a collection of glassware. A good estate agent or interiors stylist should be able to advise you on how to maximise appeal, as well as decluttering top tips and interior design.

Choose your agent carefully

Choosing an agent you can work with isn’t just about their commission fees. Have a look at the particulars of other houses they sell. Do you like the style of photography? (Is it distorted by a wide angle or poorly lit?) Do you like the design of the floorplans? (Where are the measurements and which way does the garden face?) Do the particulars leave you feeling inspired or full of unanswered questions?

For more advice on styling your home for sale click here.

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