Making decisions on when to sell properties within your portfolio is a process that demands the most complete understanding of all the data, information and variables that are available to you. The professional individuals or teams that you employ to take care of the minutiae will inevitably have input on the wider view of trends in the market, status of the neighbourhoods and any other factors. However, there are elements that one can be aware of when the decision is eventually made, in order to maximise the potential of the property that will be released to the market.
Creating a library of actions and activities to follow in this scenario does not necessarily mean taking on the burden for yourself. However, having a top-level view and insider knowledge of some of the most valuable tricks and tips to use is a wonderful reference tool in any discussions or preparation strategy.
This guide presents a collection of insights that will undoubtedly have a high impact when the time does appear right to sell.
Staging Services
Decluttering the spaces of the property in the initial phase allows for a better canvas to work with. From here, professional house staging services can curate it further with selected furniture, artwork and accessories to evoke a minimal but aspirational atmosphere. This all helps prospective buyers engage with the space and project their presence, and indeed lifestyles, onto it. Do ensure that the appropriate checks and references are made for the staging company used, of course.
Cleaning & Detailing
The surfaces and finishes of any property demand particular attention when it comes to showcasing their status. Following the obligatory deep clean, a process of detailing should be attended to for the surfaces and accessories that have eye-catching impact potential. Carpets and rugs can be returned to recently laid standards using reputable services and lighting such as chandeliers should be serviced and looked after. Similarly, all metalware must be polished and refreshed where appropriate, with any upholstery repairs or replacement given high priority.
Great Grounds & Excellent Exteriors
The kerb appeal philosophy that became so popular for suburban properties in the last decade has evolved into a requirement for all of the boundaries to be in tip-top shape. The entire journey of the prospective buyer should be considered from multiple aspects and points of view. With manicured gardens and landscapes, every step before entering is an opportunity to build engagement and favour. Landscape gardening and maintenance services will often cover external lighting and any outdoor issues, for a great effect in all lights, at all times of day. The drive itself can drive up interest, so the presence of impressive vehicles on show will help too.
Perfect Palettes
Refreshing the décor with elegant and natural tones and hues before opening the house to viewings can have a great effect. It encourages connection with new possibilities for the buyer and can often lift spaces within a home to better display dimensions and potential remodelling projects. Aligning this with a renewed approach to lighting can also boost the colourways that viewers are subject to, evoking more emotional reactions through cosy spaces and nooks.
Showcase Lifestyle Spaces
In recent times, homes have increasingly been charged with new and additional functions and purposes. Dressing the rooms and spaces in a manner that displays them to be working versions of the lifestyle zones within a property is a sure way to demonstrate how it works. Kitchens must be staged with fresh produce and quality tableware, bathrooms accessorised with luxury toiletries and any media rooms or spaces set to showcase smart home capability. With any gym or wellness spaces, they should demonstrate up-to-date equipment where possible.
Home Office Capability
The relentless pace of the modern workplace means that the ability to work from home in any capacity has moved firmly into must-have status. Staging a room with a home office space doesn’t have to take up a lot of real estate within the property; instead, it should demonstrate how a secluded, quieter space has been made available as an appropriate retreat for work. The aesthetic should merge with the rest of the house, but a clearly delineated space will go a long way to let the viewer know how their working requirements can be achieved simply, straight away.
Highlight Features & Talking Points
Our homes are always the source of great stories. Making a virtue of the remarkable features, quirks, or unusual aspects of a property allows it to be seen as an advantage from the first engagement. This may be the architectural pedigree, history of the building and its owners or simply some of the fabric of the home that now has a redundant purpose. Many 20th and 21st-century conversions, particularly in London, went through sympathetic restoration projects that kept elements of their industrial past proudly on show. The old stairwells, openings and apertures all have a tale to tell that may very well set them apart in terms of interest and offers.
Elevate the Experience
Many of us understand the feeling that one gets when they know a property is perfect. Admittedly, a lot of this instinct is the result of personal taste and therefore difficult to anticipate, but there are definitely ways in which that feeling can be encouraged and heightened. Considering the right temperature for the home, depending on the time of day, weather conditions and time of year, goes a long way to maximising dwell time and interest. The exclusivity of appointment viewing and invitation-only launch days can add allure, but if ever possible, a vendor-guided viewing offers a personal touch that can be priceless. It shows how important the property is to you and allows for all of the elements highlighted above to be led and curated by the person who knows the place the best.
It is always a challenge to see your own property through fresh eyes after a long period of time owning it or living within it. However, if you can attempt to access the memories and feelings that you had at the time of purchase, it is a very powerful foundation to build upon. Working in this way means that your energy, enthusiasm and engagement that were present back then are more easily shared for the next owner to identify and draw from in their own viewing. And that can only ever be a positive when looking to make the most of any property sale.
