First impressions really do count, so how can you make your house appear desirable and stand out in the crowd to potential buyers?

Outside appearance

Start at the front door, after all, this is one of the first things a visitor will see. Even the smallest details can add up to 10 per cent onto the value of a property, according to some estate agents. Make sure that the door is in good condition, is neatly painted (if wooden), and that the letterbox and doorknob are in good condition, and clean. Avoid garish colours, and always try to keep the door in the same colour scheme as the windows and the house in general. Liam Bailey, head of research at agents Knight Frank says; “Workmanship is always the most important – a smart door will reassure potential buyers that the whole house is well-maintained”.

If necessary, update the façade with rendering, or possibly timber/tile cladding, though remember to keep it simple, many do not like a fussy outside finish. Ideally, contact an architect before implementing any changes, and ensure that any changes are in keeping with the rest of your street or area. If brickwork is very old, consider getting it cleaned by a professional, the results can be amazing, and can renew a tired looking exterior.

Tidy the garden

There is nothing more off-putting to a potential buyer, than having to walk through an unkempt, overgrown garden to get to a house. Whatever month of the year it is, there are plants you can use to brighten a garden. Research conducted by the Horticultural Trades Association, indicated that a well-maintained, looked-after front garden could add as much as £5,000 to the value of your property. A quick tidy-up may be all that is required, and plants can be bought at a very reasonable price from local garden centers. Also pay attention to the pots and decorations in your garden. Throw away any broken or cracked items, and use simple decorations; overkill or over-personalization can be off-putting to potential buyers.

De-personalize

When a potential buyer is viewing a property, they want to see themselves living in the house, with their own belongings and decorations. It is therefore very important to tidy away your personal possessions when conducting house viewings, it may sound harsh, but just because you like a certain ornament or picture, it doesn’t mean that the person viewing the house will. Keep decorations to a minimum, and avoid clutter by all means, the viewer needs to see the space available without distractions. If you have the budget and time, think about re-painting rooms in a neutral colour, such as magnolia or cream, this can give rooms a modern feel, and create the illusion of space.

Clean & tidy

It perhaps goes without saying that you should generally clean and tidy a house prior to a viewing. Impressions can be formed very quickly, and using superficial visual input, so hoover, dust and clean all areas to be viewed. If you have pets, it may be an idea to have someone ‘sit’ them during viewings, away from the house, as it can be virtually impossible to control fur distribution in-between viewings! Also make sure that the windows are clean, inside and out, especially if you are intending to use a ‘view’ as a main feature. Try to create a pleasant ambience, using scented candles or plug-in fresheners, but don’t use anything too overpowering. It has been suggested that the smell of fresh coffee is very attractive to house visitors, creating a ‘homely’ fragrance, so put the kettle on!

Be helpful & friendly

When showing people around your house, be helpful, and friendly. Start by shaking the hand of the potential buyer, introducing yourself, and remember to smile! When describing the rooms, point out the good features, but try not to be too forceful, people don’t like to feel ‘forced’ into a decision. Also allow the visitor(s) to spend some time on their own in each room, they may feel uncomfortable if you are constantly present, and unable to really ‘look’ at a room. Offer the viewer a drink as an excuse to leave them on their own for a short time. Highlight features such as great outside views, high ceilings, period features and storage space.