Here are 3 very different Somerset properties with no onward chain, no renovation required, ready & waiting…
Sunnyside, Charlton Mackrell. Brand new individual contemporary 4 bed 4 bath house with paddocks & orchard. £900k
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/new-homes…/property-55360703.html
Batch Orchard, Batcombe near trendy #Bruton £1.25m with indoor pool
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-54974372.html?premiumA=true …
Cherrybank, Curry Rivel, 4 bed detached, reduced to £410k
As a property finder, I have done more than my fair share of viewings and never cease to be amazed by the attitude of some vendors, who think it is all down to the estate agent they have chosen, rather than they themselves, presenting their greatest asset to its best advantage.
There is always the exception however, and I remember one viewing to a rather crumbly Georgian farm house in a village near Glastonbury, where the clever vendor did an exceptional job of staging the property. A widow, this house was her family’s much loved home for 40+ years, packed full of happy photos and momentos, this house emanated love. It was clearly in need of modernisation but my clients were prepared for that, so arranged for them to view. Having passed the pillared entrance, we came along the drive and saw the widow reclined in a teak steamer under a willow arbour, with jug and glasses of lemonade on the table beside her, French windows open and pretty classical music tinkling across the lawn, where a croquet set had been laid out. It was like a scene from a Merchant Ivory film and my clients were hooked before they had put a foot inside.
First impressions need to be positive! ~
*Regardless of how many unsuccessful viewings have taken place, this could be the one…
*A drive full of yours and your boomerang kids cars, will not afford the ideal first impression. Especially if they screen your best efforts at curb appeal, with planted pots and lavender path to the front door. And if the potential buyer cannot park in the drive and has difficulty parking elsewhere nearby, they will have second thoughts. Arrange to park your cars up the road, at friends or local supermarket/park where possible.
*Wheelie bins are not a permanent fixture, they have WHEELS, so move them from view after collection day.
*Beware of vendor complacency. Unless you are intending to sell as a project in need of modernisation or renovation, it is essential that you clear gutters and check exterior renders, pointing and paintwork, slipped tiles, blown double glazed units and cracked window panes. Otherwise the buyer and any friendly builder they bring along for advice (not forgetting this is before the actual surveyor has their input) will suck their teeth and visualise scaffolding and the £s will rapidly be deducted from the asking price without even crossing the threshold.
*Have the windows cleaned regularly. It creates more light indoors, essential in the low lit winter months and literally makes the house shine from the outside, giving the impression that it is a cared for and homely environment.
Once through the front door…
*And do please use the front door! How can anyone visualise greeting guests to their potential new home, if you insist everyone comes in via the back door?
*Do not allow dogs of any size to greet or jump up at viewers and say “don’t worry he’s perfectly friendly”, that won’t help anyone who is allergic or phobic and won’t fix the ladder in my tights! Best they get taken for a walk, they really will love visitors when taken on one each time. Or move them and their bedding to the garage, or car (preferably not if left at the supermarket!)
*Regardless of the time of year pre air your home before a viewing takes place. Lingering cooking smells, damp dogs and fusty waxed jackets are not appealing. Scented candles give off pleasing scents whether lit or not, they and reed diffusers are far more pleasant and evoke a more charming air to the home than plug in air fresheners.
*Turn on enough lamps to create a soft bright cosy feel but don’t switch on all the ceiling lights, as it can be harsh and municipal, especially with those runway lights.
*The kitchen must have clean uncluttered worktops. Anything built in, must be clean too. Nobody wants to visualise their potential new home’s kitchen with smelly, dirty fridge, crusty dishwasher and blackened oven. Yes they will look because it is built in and part of the package. BTW saying you are taking the Aga or range cooker with you, but not mentioning it in the property particulars, will forewarn the buyer that you are the type that takes light bulbs etc too and probably not worth the effort of negotiating with.
*Mouldy grouting is a no-no. Re-grout, use bleach sprays or steam clean. Clear shower screens of lime scale. Train the household to leave the loo seat down, I won’t elaborate.
*Teenagers bedrooms, yes until they go off to university, there is little chance of reining in their decorative choices. Do insist though, that underwear clean or otherwise, must not be left scattered about. Hint that a viewer might be a police officer and I bet they will tidy their room!
*Master suite, I do find nudes of Mrs Vendor, rather awkward and impossible not to visualise every time you look at Mrs Vendor, best removed prior to marketing. Crumpled duvets and dented pillows are quite unsavoury, so dress the bed in a smart eiderdown with cushions and a throw. Storage or the lack of is a big issue, so piles of clothes and shoes will just highlight the lack of storage. Vacuum pack last season’s clothing and store under beds, or pack in suitcases and put in the loft, or in the car along with the dog.
Don’t de-clutter to the point your home becomes devoid of character and looks like a new homes show house, but if you are bit of a hoarder a garage sale or a couple of car boots might be the solution. Like the widow at the beginning of this blog, photos showing a happy nurturing home will confirm to the viewer that this is the property, their future home.
gigiallen 