Tips to help make your home more attractive to potential buyers. Clean, declutter, and add a fresh lick of Crown Paints. Our interior experts provide you with the inspiration you need.
In estate agencies, there’s an adage that if a house hasn’t sold within the first 28 days of going to market, it’s priced too high. Whilst the UK housing market has seen unprecedented increases in house prices, they are starting to stabilise, so now is the perfect time to get your home ready for potential buyers.
Whether you’re currently on the market or you’re thinking of selling, there are some simple things you can do to not only make your home more valuable but help you sell faster.
Clean and repair
One of the best and easiest things you can do to sell your house fast is to give it a good clean and fix things that have been on your to-do list for a while.
Cast a critical eye over your home’s interior and exterior and note down any areas that are in need of repairs. Whilst it’s easy to overlook these minor (or major) repair jobs when you live there, they’re often the first thing a prospective buyer will see. If they put in an offer, they can use these faults as bargaining chips.
Look for signs of wear and tear on doors, windows, and gutters. Look to repair cracked tiles, creaking doorways and wonky cupboard doors.
When it comes to cleaning, you should start from the top of the house and work your way down into the living room and kitchen. You may even fall back in love with your home, which will shine through if you’re doing the viewings.
Once you’ve given everything a thorough clean, paint high-traffic areas with our specially formulated easyclean® matt emulsion. Designed for busy homes, you can wipe away muck and grime with a wet cloth so your home will sparkle in pictures.
Declutter
No matter how long you live in a home, or how minimal you think your lifestyle is, it’s only when you start to contemplate moving that you realise just how much stuff you have. Whilst you’re giving your home a spring clean, get rid of all the things that you’ve accumulated over time.
If it’s something you haven’t used in over a year, chances are you won’t need it in the coming year. If it’s in good condition, either sell or donate it. If things have seen better days, bin them or give them away.
You should also remove oversized furniture from rooms and place them into storage whilst you’re selling your house to avoid rooms feeling cramped and cluttered.
Fresh lick of paint
If you’re looking for the best home improvement project to increase value, you can’t beat giving your walls a fresh lick of paint. Instantly transforming your home, choose a neutral colour that complements your property. If you live in a period home, our Crafted by Crown Flat Matt range is for you. The heritage shades have been given a soft, modern touch, making them feel lighter and brighter.
First impressions count
We all know that first impressions count, and when selling a house, it can be the difference between getting snapped up and going stale. The process of selling a house can be long and drawn out, but prospective buyers will make a decision in a matter of moments.
It’s not just the first impression of the prospective buyer you need to think about, but the valuer too. Get outside your house and take a hard look. How does your home make you feel? Would you want to buy it if you saw it online?
Does the grass need cutting? Do you need to repair or replace a fence? Maybe some pots and plants will add a bit of life to your home?
If your home is rendered, giving it a fresh coat of masonry paint will create the impression that you take pride in your home and that the inside is just as loved as the outside. Don’t forget about the mundane things, like hiding the wheelie bins. If you have a narrow drive, park your cars elsewhere for the viewings. You don’t want the first impression of your home to feel small and cramped before visitors even step through the door.
Increase brightness
Even the smallest, darkest homes can feel bright and airy with the clever use of mirrors, reflective surfaces and light paint colours.
If your rooms are small and feel dark, changing the window dressings can have an immediate impact on the whole space. Opt for light linen fabrics that drape on the floor. This added length makes the ceilings feel higher, whilst the lighter fabrics will naturally allow more light to flood in.
The paint you choose can also help increase the perception of a room’s size. Instead of a matt colour, choose an eggshell or satin. Both paint types have a slight reflective sheen that subtly bounces light around a room. Our silk emulsion in our breatheasy® range offers a rich, creamy finish that works well in any room in the house.
Sell your house and find your dream home
Let Crown Paints make selling a house a breeze. Explore our extensive range of colours and collections and find the right hue with our extensive range of paint samples.
Create a warm and welcoming feel that enchants prospective buyers today.
