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A cluttered home can be a source of stress and anxiety. It can be difficult to find things when you need them and it can be hard to keep your home clean when there is so much stuff everywhere.

If you are looking for ways to declutter your home and keep it that way, here are 7 tips to help you get started:

1. Get rid of anything you don’t use or need:

If you haven’t used something in 6 months, chances are you don’t need it. Get rid of clothes that don’t fit, toys your kids have outgrown, and anything else that is just taking up space. Donate items that are in good condition or sell them online or at a garage sale.

2. Put things back in their proper place:

As soon as you finish using something, put it back in its proper place. This will help you keep your home more organized and prevent clutter from building up.

3. Invest in storage solutions:

There are many different storage solutions available that can help you keep your home clutter-free. If you have trouble keeping things organized, consider investing in some storage bins, shelves, or baskets.

4. Don’t bring more stuff into your home than you need:

Before you make a purchase, ask yourself if you really need the item or if you can live without it. It’s easy to accumulate more stuff than we really need so it’s important to be mindful of the things we bring into our homes.

5. Have a designated place for everything:

Make sure everything in your home has a designated place where it belongs. This will make it easier to put things away and will help prevent clutter from building up over time.

6. Do a weekly decluttering session:

Set aside some time each week to declutter your home and get rid of any unwanted items. This will help ensure that your home stays tidy and clutter-free on a regular basis.

7. Put away seasonal items:

Seasonal clothing, decorations, and sports equipment can take up a lot of space if they’re left out all year long. Store these items in bins or containers and only bring them out when they’re needed.

A cluttered home can be a source of stress and anxiety but it doesn’t have to be! By following these 7 tips, you can declutter your home and keep it tidy on a regular basis.

Selling a home can be a nerve-wracking experience. You want to move on as quickly as possible and for a good price, but frustration can easily creep in if your house has been sitting on the market for a few months.

If your home isn’t getting many viewers and time is ticking on, it might be down to some of these factors:

Too Expensive: The number one reason a home won’t sell is always because of the price. Homeowners always feel their home is worth more than the agent and market data tells them. But, if you put your home on the market for a price that’s unrealistic then you could have a house that will sit on the market for months and won’t generate much interest. Dropping the asking price, even just a little bit, will attract more viewers.

Photos: The majority of buyers start their search for a home online these days and that’s why it’s very important to have good quality images and video showcasing your property. Some homeowners want to provide agents with pictures they’ve taken themselves but this is always a bad idea. Make sure you hire a local agent who has a proven track record in creating quality marketing materials and you’ll attract more viewers to your home. 

Time: When putting your house on the market it’s a good idea to be mindful of what season it is. Selling a house in the height of summer can pose some challenges as many people are away on holiday. If you sell in the middle of winter some buyers will just hold off until after Christmas. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to sell your home at certain times of the year, it just means that you might have to have more patience.

Too Personal: As a homeowner you’ve an emotional connection to your property but it’s important to remember that your buyer won’t and they might not love you collection of dolls in the spare room or unusual paintings in the living room. Put all overly personal items in storage to allow your buyers to visualise themselves living there.

Too Cluttered: Before you put your home on the market make sure you declutter every room in your house as buyers want to walk into a house and see themselves living there. Sometimes people can’t see past other people’s stuff and it will put them off. Ask your agent for tips on how to stage your home for sale, but please don’t take their advice personally.

It Smells Bad: If you smoke or have a pet then you won’t notice the smell in your home- but other people coming into your home will and it can really put buyers off. Before showing your house, deep clean your carpets, dispose of any rubbish and freshen up fabrics with odour eaters. On the day of your viewings don’t cook food that have strong smells, instead use scented candles and diffusers and open your windows to allow fresh air in.

You Won’t do Repairs: Homeowners are often left horrified if their agent suggests they might have to give their home a lick of paint or fix those DIY jobs that they’ve been ignoring for years. However, you want to make a good first impression on potential buyers and if your home is a bit tired then that will leave people with the wrong impression.  

Low Showing Availability: It can be incredibly annoying having to keep your home tidy all the time and to have strangers walking through your home constantly, but you have to make your home available for viewings as much as possible. If you decline too many showings then you could end up missing out on the perfect buyer. Allow your agent to show the home when you’re at work and at weekends. Also, ask them to give you 24 hours notice.

Don’t let your listing gather dust, make sure you avoid these 8 mistakes and you’ll have a home that will sell in no time.

Thinking of selling? Get in touch today for a FREE home valuation on 01225 941008.

If you’re thinking about selling your home, you might be wondering if now is the right time. After all, timing is everything when it comes to selling your home.

Here are five signs that indicate it might be time for you to put your house on the market:

1. You’ve outgrown your space:

If you find yourself constantly tripping over toys in the living room or you can’t seem to fit all of your clothes into the closet, it might be time to upgrade to a larger home. A growing family means you’ll need more space, and selling your home now will give you the opportunity to buy a property that better suits your needs.

2. You want to downsize:

Perhaps your kids have moved out and you’re looking to downsize now that you have more space than you need. Or maybe you’re simply ready for a change and want to simplify your life by moving into a smaller home. Whatever the reason, if you’re thinking about downsizing, it’s probably time to sell your current home.

3. Your neighbourhood is changing:

Have there been a lot of new homes popping up in your neighbourhood lately? Has a new school or shopping centre been built nearby? These changes can impact your property value, so if you’re thinking of selling in the near future, it’s worth paying attention to what’s happening in your neighbourhood.

4. You need to make repairs:

If your home is in need of major repairs, it might be cheaper and easier to simply sell it as-is and buy a new property rather than sink money into fixing up your current home. Of course, this isn’t always the case, so be sure to consult with a real estate agent or contractor before making any decisions.

5. You’re ready for a change:

Sometimes, there’s no clear-cut reason for wanting to sell your home; you just know it’s time for a change. If you’re feeling restless and are ready for a new adventure, selling your home and buying another one elsewhere can give you the fresh start you’re looking for.

Selling a home is a big decision, so it’s important to make sure it’s the right move for you before putting your house on the market. Pay attention to both internal and external factors when considering whether or not now is the right time to sell; if any of the above signs resonate with you, it might be time to take the next step in your journey and list your property for sale!

Thinking of selling? Get in contact today on 01225 941008

Can the smell of coffee and freshly baked bread really help sell a house? It may sound a little cliché, but there is an element of truth behind the theory that smells sell homes.

Here are 8 of the best smells that will make your house feel welcoming to potential buyers:

1. Baked Cookies
2. Scented Candles
3. Essential Oils/ Diffusers
4. Fresh Flowers
5. Coffee
6. Baked Bread
7. Orange & Lemon Slices
8. A Clean Home

If you would like any help or advice on selling your home please call me on 01225 941008

A few hours before viewings it’s important to do a last sweep of your house to make sure it’s perfect for potential buyers. Here are four things you can do to make sure you make the best impression:

🏠 Let there be light: Turn on all lamps and lights in dark rooms and open all blinds and shades to let natural light in. Also, you can open windows to let fresh air in the room too.

🏠 Pets: If you have cats or dogs then it’s best they not be around for showings as not everyone loves fur buddies as much as you do.

🏠 Make Sure You’re Not Around: Let your Agent do the viewings for you because buyers feel uncomfortable touring houses when the owners are still there.

🏠 Declutter: Make sure there are no dirty dishes in the sink, also make sure your beds are made and any dirty laundry is put away.

Thinking of selling? Get in touch today for a free home evaluation on 01225 941008

As soon as a potential buyer enters your house you want them to instantly feel at home. You want them to form an emotional connection with the property and allow themselves to visualise living there.

The last thing you want to do is put people off by not tending to a few simple projects. Here are 6 things you can do to help a buyer feel at home:

New Carpets and Fresh Paint: When selling a house it’s sometimes necessary to spend some money doing minor renovations that’ll help you get a quicker sale and for more money. Painting certain rooms and putting down new carpet are the two biggest things you can do to help your house sell faster.

Unclutter Your House: Get rid of all your clutter. Buyers might not appreciate your magazine collection or the dolls and teddy bears you keep in the guest bedroom. Tidy your home and give it a more minimal feel to allow buyers to see the home for what it is.

Make Sure it’s Clean: Please make sure your home is clean and tidy otherwise you’ll really put buyers off. That means making sure the bathrooms are spotless, your oven is sparkling and your carpets and upholstery have no stains on them.

Give All Your Rooms a Purpose: When staging your home for sale it’s important to make sure all your rooms have a purpose even if you just used a room in your house as a box room. If a room in your house is supposed to be a dining room for example then make sure you set it out like that.

Do Your Repairs: Preparing your house for sale unfortunately means doing those repairs that you’ve put off for years. If you’ve something in your house that’s broken then please get it fixed because buyers have an eye for this kind of thing.

Lighten Up Your Rooms: A well lit room can make all the difference when trying to make a buyer feel at home. Whether you have to buy a couple of new lamps or open up your blinds and curtains please take the time to make your rooms lighter as it’ll give off a warmer feel rather than a dark and dingy one.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money trying to make a buyer feel at home but doing a few simple things around your house can make a massive difference and get your home sold quicker.

Thinking of selling? Get in touch today for a FREE home valuation 01225 941008.

Staging your house for sale can make a huge difference to the offer you receive and the length of time it sits on the market. In fact the latest statistics suggest a staged home will sell on average 25% quicker than one that hasn’t been.
So, here are 9 staging secrets to get your home sold:

DECLUTTER

When you say declutter to someone the first thing that springs to mind is clearing out wardrobes or kitchen cupboards. But have you ever thought of decluttering your furniture? A professional stager actually removes half a homeowner’s furniture to make a house look bigger. So have a look around and see what you can throw out, pack away or pop into storage for a few months.

GROUP YOUR FURNITURE

A common staging misconception is that pushing your furniture up against a wall instantly makes the room look bigger. However, the truth is, to make your room look bigger and more inviting then it’s best to float your furniture in each room away from the walls. Just remember to make sure that your furnishings are placed where traffic can still flow through the room.

TRANSFORM SPARE ROOMS

Get rid of that spare room that has only ever collected boxes or other junk and turn it into something functional. Make it into an extra bedroom, a home office or reading room. Buyers want to see themselves living in the property and this helps them to do that.

GREAT LIGHTING

Great lighting is a must when you’re staging your home for sale. You can flood a room with natural light if you put mirrors on the walls opposite light sources. Also, make sure you include table lamps and floor lights in your rooms as that creates ambient lighting. Never use the light in the middle of your room as your main source of light as it won’t show your room off to its best.

GO NEUTRAL

If you’ve a bright pink room or have invested in wallpaper that has a unique pattern then a fresh lick of paint can go a long way. Off-white, creams and neutral soft greys can transform your home into a modern fresh canvas for a potential buyer. If you do want to be a bit bold then please make sure it’s only on a feature wall.

USE YOUR GARDEN

Fancy flowers and floral arrangements can be pricey but you can get the same effect with a simple bunch of flowers from the supermarket or by picking some flowers from your garden. Just keep the arrangement simple and throw in a little bit of colour. Flowers can instantly bright up a room.

GET A QUICK FACELIFT

Give your kitchen an instant facelift by painting cabinet doors or drawers or by vinyl wrapping them. It’s a cost effective solution and the results can be incredible. Also, tackle your bathroom by freshening up the grouting or sealant for quick results.

FINISH THOSE REPAIRS

Unfinished home repairs can really put off potential home buyers. If you need to touch up the paintwork on a chipped banister or replace a wonky door handle then please do it. Don’t give a buyer ammunition to negotiate a lower price for your home. So finish those repairs you’ve been meaning to do for years and you’ll reap the rewards.

CLEAN YOUR HOME

We’ve saved the best for last because this is the most important tip- clean your house from top to bottom. A dirty house is a massive turn off for potential buyers. Make sure your home is spotless, scrub the kitchen and bathrooms and eliminate any odours- especially if you’ve pets or smoke. If you can afford it then get professional cleaners to come in and blitz the place, as buyers want a nice, fresh welcoming home they can see themselves building a life in.
So, there we have it, just a few simple, affordable tips that can make a huge difference to the sale of your house.

Thinking of selling? Get in touch today for a FREE home valuation.