Tag Archives: Home Staging

We live in the UK, which means that summer weather isn’t always sunny and hot – as much as we would love it to be! When you’re trying to sell, you want your home to look its best, and the rain can not only dampen your lawn, but your spirits as well. If you have buyers coming over and the weather is a little dim, you can still make the house look wonderful!

Light

Even during the day, darker skies can make it seem like evening. To get around this, light up the rooms. Make sure all of the blinds and curtains are open, and turn on all of your lamps including any cupboard and appliance lights. Doing so makes the home welcoming and bright.

Heat

Frustrating as it can be, during winter the temperatures can drop. If your home is a little chilly, turn the heat on low. You really want the temperature inside to be comfortable and want the buyers to stay, especially when the outside is cold.

Summer food

It’s always nice to offer snacks when buyers come round, and offering ‘summer’ snacks will keep buyers in the summer mind frame, rather than feeling that winter has returned. Fresh strawberries and lemonades are ideal.

Pictures

If the buyers are really interested in your home, they’re going to want to see the garden in its full glory. If the rain is pelting, bring out some umbrellas and take them outside for a small tour. Ideally have some great lifestyle pictures of your garden at hand too, to show why the garden is perfect in the sun!

If you’d like my help to sell your home more effectively, please answer a few short questions here and if I think I can help you, I’ll be in touch.

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The summer holidays are finally here, and many of you will be heading off for a week or two of relaxation! If you have your home for sale though, have you considered what will happen if people want to view it while you’re away? Some people feel fully confident leaving all viewings in the hands of their estate agents, whereas others prefer to be around for all viewings of their home. You obviously don’t want to lose potential buyers by not allowing views while you’re on holiday, so follow these tips below for pre-holiday preparations.

Bring in a friend – Your estate agent will always contact you to arrange any viewing, but let them know you’re on holiday and what your preferences are. If you want someone else to be there during a viewing, ask a friend or family member to be there too, and tell your agent this will be the case.

Keep in the loop – Despite lazing by the pool, you still want to be kept in the know while you’re away, especially if a viewing could lead to a sale. Ask your agent to drop you a call or email with any news or updates, and especially if interested parties are looking to make a second viewing.

Comments cards – Your estate agent will know the majority of your home details, but when it comes to particulars, you’re the best person to speak to. If you expect viewings when you’re on holiday, leave out little notes and comment cards on places and objects of interest. Potential buyers will appreciate the time taken and gesture, and may even help a sale.

If you’d like my help to sell your home more effectively, please answer a few short questions

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If you’d like my help to sell your home more effectively, please answer a few short questions here and if I think I can help you, I’ll be in touch.

If your home has been sat on the market for longer than you even want to admit to yourself, you may be considering ringing up your gracious agent, and telling them to drop a few numbers from the big one. They may even be encouraging you to do it, too. People buy homes on price, right? Wrong. Dropping your price is not the way to go, and can actually have a negative effect and create long term damage. Sound a bit farfetched, for something on offer to you? While it may do, you have to consider what people are thinking when they see a house reduced in cost. Get ready to change your mind…

Is something wrong with it? If a house is dropped in price, people begin asking questions. Why hasn’t it sold so far? What’s wrong with it? Why the dramatic price drop? Their image of the house won’t be rosy and optimistic; it will begin to look like a sale item. While your home may suddenly attract a few extra viewings, they’ll be walking around your house looking for the pessimistic side of your four walls, and wondering why it wasn’t snapped up already.

Quality issue – Even though when it comes to many material goods, many of us love a good bargain, it’s different when it comes around to property. With a long term investment, we want to feel like we’re buying in to something worthwhile and valuable, and often budgets are blown and overspent when purchasing the dream property. If a price is assertive and optimistic, it means it is being sold for what it is worth. Drop your asking price, and the quality of it will suddenly seem a little dented. Surprising, but true.

Confidence – If shares were falling on something, would you buy them? The same can be said for property; do you want to put in an offer on something that has decreased in value? A drop in price indicates a lack of confidence in your own home and its original price. If you want to install confidence in your buyer, show confidence in your own home!

Are you thinking of dropping your asking price, or is your agent persuading you to do so? Reconsider! Contact us, we can help.

If you’d like my help to sell your home more effectively, please answer a few short questions here and if I think I can help you, I’ll be in touch.

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Our top ten tips to add value without breaking the bank

1. Loft conversions

Converting an unused attic space can be a really cost-effective way of adding living space to your home. Some sources say a good loft conversion can add up to 20% in value to your property, and with costs ranging upwards of £30,000, you could get a fantastic return on your investment. You don’t usually need planning permission, unless you are extending the roof space or adding height. Also, if you live in a conservation area, you may find additional limitations on what you are allowed to do.Try this clever interactive tool to see at a glance if you need planning permission for your project, and if you’re still not sure, check with your local planning department, who will advise you on the correct procedure.

2. New kitchen

Whilst once upon a time, kitchens were built to last decades, (remember your gran’s kitchen, which had probably been there for 30 years?!) nowadays, any kitchen over ten years old is probably starting to look tired. With investment from just £1500 for a cheap Wickes or Ikea kitchen, you can essentially revamp this very important room for a relatively low sum. If you’re planning on renovating your kitchen just to make your home more saleable, err on the side of caution, and go for a neutral, light style that won’t put buyers off.

3. Replace blown double-glazed windows

Double-glazed windows mist up internally because the sealant around the edges has broken down. This can happen with cheap or badly fitted units, and the ‘misting’ effect gets worse over time. Unfortunately, this does usually mean replacing the window, as the repair process can be onerous, messy and expensive. However, blown windows are really unsightly, and can cause a buyer to think the house has not been maintained properly. Expect to pay from around £200 a window plus fitting to replace your blown windows, depending on size.

4. New carpets

Replacing old, worn or dated carpets can have a huge effect on a property. I’ve seen really tired properties look like they have had a complete makeover, just because they have had their carpets replaced. One lady on a viewing, who had seen the property before the new carpets were laid, was convinced that the house had been redecorated and wouldn’t accept it hadn’t! Expect to pay from around £2000 for a reasonable quality carpet in a three bedroom house. A word of warning though – don’t scrimp – cheap carpets just don’t have the same effect, and they can wear really badly, especially if you have pets or children, or both.

5. Garden makeover

If you’re selling your house the prospective buyer will quickly form an opinion of what the inside of the house is like, based on the appearance of the front garden and entrance to the house.

Try to imagine what the house looks like to a first-time visitor, take a photo from the entrance and see what this reveals. These simple steps will help to create a smart, stylish exterior:

Clear any old leaves and debris, sweep paths, clean windows
Move any dustbins or recycling boxes out of sight
Remove any flower pots with dead or unattractive plants
Replace collections of numerous small plant pots with few larger ones
Use plant pots of similar material, type and colour
If there is any grass, cut it and trim the edges
Cut hedges
Fill containers with single colour (much smarter than mixed colours) bedding- plants for a quick fix. Match the flower colour to the paintwork of the house, or choose a contrasting colour.
Use light e.g. white or pale yellow flowers, to bounce some light into shady areas.
Invest in some smart lollipop-shaped topiary shrubs to place either side of the entrance, and as long as you remember to tell your buyer that they’re not included in the sale, you can take them with you.

Do all of the above, and your garden will sell the house to your buyers before they even walk through the door!

6. Kerb appeal

Homes are always judged by their exterior façade. If you’re eager to sell your property but its frontage just screams to onlookers that you don’t love your home, you aren’t going to be getting many viewings. People judge within seconds, and a weed-filled lawn will mean viewers don’t even make it to the front door.

The front of your home needs to be edging on picture-perfect; not only does it paint a good impression of the owners, it puts potential buyers in positive spirits before they have stepped in the door. Follow our tips for the prime things you need to have looking pristine before the ‘For Sale’ sign is hammered into your lawn…

Windows – If you have trouble looking past fingerprints and dust on your windows from the inside, people will see that on the outside too. Give them a good clean regularly. Check on your window frames too; if they’re rotten, they aren’t going to look very appealing. Consider replacing them before putting your house on the market. Ensure that they fit in with the look of your home.

Front Door – People are drawn to the front door at first glance. Make sure it stands out by giving it a fresh coat of paint. The colour should fit in with the look of your house, so don’t make it too garish. Bright colours are in at the moment, but vivid pink might make your door a little overstated.

Neighbours – You would think your neighbour’s house wouldn’t matter, but it does. If they have rubbish on the lawn or anything else unattractive that really doesn’t need to be there, ask them politely if you can remove it. To make your plan less obvious, offer a hand; if you’re mowing your lawn, say you’ll do theirs too. The last thing buyers want to see is dirty surrounding houses.

Lighting – Many people might choose to drive by a potential property after dark, and it is essential that your house looks appealing. Having a nice lantern on the porch or a few front garden lights adds a special touch.

Clean & Neat – To give an overall good impression, ensure everything is as clean and spruce as possible. Repaint tired paintwork and railings, get rid of the weeds, trim the lawn, and make sure nothing unsightly is sitting on your drive, such as a skip.

By following such straightforward tips, the front of your home will be screaming with kerb appeal within hours, waiting to attract any interested party that wanders by your house.

Get your kerb appeal right, and your home will not only shine from the outside, it will also stand out on Rightmove and the other property portals, which is where you really need to grab buyers’ attention.

7. Lighting

The lighting you choose for each individual room needs to reflect not only the desired atmosphere but also the practical use of the room. Here are some tips to help you make the right lighting choices:

Living room:

This is usually a well-used room, so make sure the general level of lighting is suitable for a variety of different tasks
Picking out a feature wall, or else an architectural feature such as cornicing, beams or stonework, with directional spotlight helps to create interest and drama
Any ‘hidden’ lighting, for example, under pelmets or behind cabinets, will diffuse the light and create soft uniform lighting
Use dimmers to change lighting moods
Highlight artwork and plants with individual lighting arrangements
Shades on floor, table and hanging fixtures will help soften the glare, and create pools of light
Display lighting can draw attention to collections or unusual objects

Dining room:

The lighting you choose for this area depends on your use of the room. An intimate space for entertaining small numbers of friends and family will have different needs to a more open-plan arrangement, perhaps off the kitchen:

The lighting in a family dining area should be kept relaxed and easy, with a good level of light, and many sources to create a consistent level.
To create a more intimate atmosphere, try hanging a large fitting, such as a chandelier, low over the table, so that a pool of light is created in the centre of the table, whilst the guests are in the dimmer light. This creates a very cosy atmosphere; just right for a small party of dinner guests.
Candles are another way of creating a special feel to the room; their light is very flattering to skin tones, so your female guests will thank you!
Candles placed near mirrors or by other reflective surfaces will make for really interesting light plays and shadows, and enhance the intimate mood.

Kitchens:

Kitchens need to be really well-lit, with both overhead and directional lighting, for maximum functionality.

Overhead lighting is best served by spotlights, either ceiling sunk, or else on a bracket. This way the lighting is well-distributed, uniform and as free from shadows as possible
Under-pelmet lighting will light the worksurfaces and sinks so that the chef doesn’t cast a shadow over the food preparation
Special features, such as Agas or feature tiling, can be specially lit with directional lighting to enhance them and create interest
Shiny kitchen accessories, such as chrome kettle and toaster, will add to the lighting level by sparkling and maximising the existing light

Bedrooms:

Keep bedroom lighting low-level to preserve intimacy. Overhead lighting is best controlled by a dimmer switch, and lamps will make bedroom reading easy without raising the overall lighting level too much
Keep any wall lighting directed downwards to help create a calm, intimate atmosphere
Touch lamps are ideal for bedrooms, as they are so easy to turn on and off when you’re half asleep.

Creative and thoughtful lighting can really transform the dullest darkest house: just think carefully about the mood you’re trying to create and the use for the room and plan accordingly.

8. Repainting

Simple redecoration, like repainting a room to appear more neutral, can help a potential buyer view your property as a blank canvas that they could put their own stamp on. A fresh lick of paint can make a home look new. You can do it yourself on a budget, and still end up with great results, though be prepared for it to take about three times longer than you think it will! Choose colours wisely, and try to stick to neutral colours. This isn’t the time to experiment with darker paints and bold colours, which could deter a buyer. Sarah Beeny’s advice is to keep it really simple: “Neutral colours won’t put any buyer off. Potential buyers walking through your home will be able to plan to put their own stamp on the house without having to remove yours first. If necessary, paint all your home white – yes, it make take a few weeks, but it will be worth it in the end.”

9. Add polish to bathrooms

Bathrooms can be hard to maintain when selling your home as they undergo such regular use. Rather than neglecting your bathroom, it should be given regular maintenance to reduce the amount of work required before each viewer is scheduled to arrive:

Abolish the mould

Bathroom mould is unattractive and could be a deal breaker for potential buyers. It indicates damp problems and poor ventilation. Be sure to bleach mould before you put your house on the market and continually practice excellent ventilation when showering and bathing to avoid returning mould. Wipe down the bath and shower quickly after every use to avoid blackening grout and silicone.

Invest in some attractive accessories

Clean, sparkling mirrors can revive a tired bathroom whilst reflecting light to create the illusion of space. Replace any toothpaste-stained toothbrush holders with a new one that is used only when viewers are expected, to prevent it from spoiling.

Wash and fold towels

Wet towels strewn messily over radiators aren’t attractive and can emit a damp odour. Wash and dry towels before every viewing and ensure they’re folded or hung neatly. This will create a pleasant odour and a luxury appearance to your bathroom.

Bathrooms can be a major selling point for a house if presented well. If you have more than one bathroom then perform regular maintenance on them all. Try to put yourself in your viewers’ shoes, if you saw your bathroom in a house would you buy it?

10. Upgrade your bedrooms

Bedrooms are so important to buyers, especially the master bedroom; after all, that’s going to be their bedroom! The master bedroom needs to feel as much like a hotel as possible: bedding, lighting, the carpet and curtains – all need to reflect that the room is a calm and stylish place to relax. The bed itself is hugely important. When did you last change yours? Most people keep their beds long after they should have changed them, and a tired, dated bed can really let a room down. You don’t have to spend a fortune to buy a new quality bed – online discounters like www.bedsos.co.uk have a terrific range of stylish beds from just £75. They also offer many different sizes, so if your bedrooms aren’t huge, try one of their smaller beds to add the illusion of space to your rooms.

Any renovations and upgrades to your home can make a huge difference to the saleability of your property, and really encourage viewings and offers. And if you’re buying something you can take with you, like a new bed, even better!

This guest post is sponsored by Bed SOS, one of the largest online specialists of tv beds, genuine and faux leather beds, pine beds, metal beds and children’s beds.

If you’d like my help to sell your home more effectively, please answer a few short questions here and if I think I can help you, I’ll be in touch.

We know setting prospective buyers loose on your home to play Simon Cowell can be daunting; suppose the dog has an ‘accident’ or the neighbours decide their bonfire just can’t wait until November 5^th?

Yes, buyers can indeed be difficult to please, but here’s the good news – we know exactly how to please them. Putting the effort in, pays dividends when it comes to getting that all important ‘quick sale’!

Follow our 9 tips to get your house big fat ‘yes’s’ across the board:

Improve your kerb appeal

We know you should never judge a book by it’s cover, but sadly, people often do – a lot of people will drive around first before deciding on which properties to visit.

The exterior of your home is just as important as the interior, if not more so for that all-important first impression. Peter Illingworth Estate Agent says ‘you must make sure every part of this visual picture looks at its best. If the interior is beautiful they may never see it if the exterior is shabby. The pavement in front of your home should be swept clean if necessary, any weeds that are growing should be removed, unsightly bins hidden and any litter picked up.’

Invest in some doggy day-care

As much as you love Rover, not everyone’s a fan. Potential buyers don’t want to walk in and smell cat litter, or walk out with dog hair stuck to their clothes; it gives the impression that your house isn’t clean. Hire a dog sitter or at least exile your furry friends to the garden whilst showing buyers around.

Come up smelling of roses

Or lilies, daisies, tulips – you get the idea. A bunch of flowers goes a long way!

Or there’s always the oldest trick in the real-estate book: pop some cookies or freshly made bread in the oven and intoxicate your buyers with that warm fuzzy feeling, instantly bonding them to your home – or so they say.

Whilst whipping up freshly baked goods each time you have a prospective buyer in your house may be impractical, you can always ‘brew some fresh coffee’ or buy flower-scented candles for an alluring welcome buyers are sure to appreciate. At the very least, ensure all ashtrays are out of the way and Fabreeze is always on hand.

Keep your hardship to yourself

If you think buyers will hear your life story, feel sorry for you and consequently sign on the dotted line, you’re sadly mistaken. Whatever the reason is for selling your house – be it debt, death or your husband running off with the next-door neighbour – keep schtum! Nearly a quarter of the cases of off-putting behaviour in the My Online Estate Agent survey involved sellers unburdening themselves about the reasons for their marriage break-up. Save it for your shrink, please.

Clutter is killer

Get rid of it – and sharpish! Buyers want to be able to imagine themselves living in your home, and family photos, swimming certificates and your grandma’s ornaments make it that bit harder. If it’s too painful to get rid of them permanently, why not put them in temporary storage?

Keep it PG

According to research by My Online Estate Agent, one in five buyers have encountered ‘something unusual’ when being shown around a property. A total of 22 per cent of house-hunters have been confronted with weird collections of sex-dolls and teddy bears, while 11 per cent have had to avert their eyes from naked pictures of the owners. Awkward.

Less ’50 shades’ more ‘vintage lampshades’, please.

Lighten up

Light, bright and airy – three words to take as house-selling gospel. Especially when it comes to kitchens and bathrooms, open plan is in fashion and buyers want as much space as possible. Colour scheme-wise, think whites and creams, or pastel hues.

Bathrooms and kitchens are two of the most important rooms in a property and should be immaculately clean and tidy when showing a property to viewers – again accessorised to emphasise light and space.

“Wildly coloured bathroom suites were regarded as the ultimate in taste in the 1980s, but can look pretty hideous to modern eyes,” says David Newnes, director of LSL Property Services. He claims such a fitting could knock up to £8,000 off the value of your property. Wowzers. Oh, and keep it clean people! Research by Rightmove among 4,000 buyers found that dirty kitchens and bathrooms were the biggest turn-offs – so get out that Mr Muscle before every viewing.

Putting the effort in, either on your own or with the assistance of a specialist property company can clearly pay dividends when it comes to answering the question – ‘how to get a quick sale’

Stay Switzerland

Fancy yourself as the next Kelly Hoppen? This is not the time to test out your skills. The thing to remember is your taste is not the same as everyone else’s. Keep colours neutral and decoration to a minimum to make your house appealing to as many buyers as possible.

Be warned: additions can be made but unsightly adornments cannot be unseen! Offer an empty shell for buyers to build their dream home around from scratch – your estate agent will thank you for it.

Enlist the experts

Don’t fancy dealing with estate agents, viewings, and the general stress that comes with finding a buyer? You’re not alone.

www.sellhousefast.uk buys over 300 houses a year, direct, from all over the UK! Simply apply online, agree a price and set a date for a rapid and hassle free sale – often completed within four weeks. Oh, and they buy houses regardless of condition, meaning everyone’s invited.

If you’d like my help to sell your home more effectively, please answer a few short questions here and if I think I can help you, I’ll be in touch.

When you’ve been trying to sell your house for a while, it’s difficult to look at the way you’re presenting it with any objectivity; you’re just too close to it. You can try asking family and friends, but chances are you’ll get several different opinions that may well just confuse you more!

I’ve compiled here a list of sources to inspire you when you’re considering how you can improve your home’s presentation to better appeal to a buyer:

Pinterest – If you haven’t yet come across this wonderful site, you’re in for a treat! A collection of ‘virtual pinboards’, it’s a public platform that allows users to ‘tag’ and ‘repin’ pictures they like. This means that if for example you type ‘modern family home’ in the search box, you’ll find everyone’s pinboards that match your search, and you can simply browse hundreds and even thousands of photographs, repinning any on your own board that you like the look of. A great site for ideas and lovely images of homes; just don’t get so distracted you forget what you’re supposed to be doing! http://pinterest.com/

House to Home – this site is the home of the top seven homes and interiors magazines in the UK, including _25 Beautiful Homes and Homes and Gardens._ There are thousands of images of home interiors, searchable by room, colour and style of décor. A great place to go for inspiration. http://www.housetohome.co.uk/

Doornob – this site’s strapline is ‘Design Ideas Daily’ and offers a wealth of contemporary home ideas. Click on the ‘interiors’ tab for the best in modern presentation from the best homes all over the world. You’ll probably have to scale back these stunning ideas, but it’s a good place to go to check on the latest trends, particularly if you have a modern property. http://dornob.com/

Coastal Retreats – even if you don’t have a coastal home, this site is full of absolutely gorgeous properties, all presented beautifully. You’ll discover all the little accessories and finishing touches that turn a house into a home, not to mention discovering how good interiors photography should look. http://www.coastalretreats.co.uk/

Unique Home Stays – as with the above, this site is for holidaymakers looking for an extra special place to stay, and their properties are simply beautiful. Their high standards can teach you how best to present your home, not only from a design point of view, but also in the inspiring lifestyle photography they use. Ideal Home instead.

Enjoy these sites, and try not to get too distracted and forget about the task in hand!

If you’d like my help to sell your home more effectively, please answer a few short questions here and if I think I can help you, I’ll be in touch.

If you’ve been trying for some time to sell your house, without success, it may be time to take a fresh look at your presentation to see if it really appeals to your target market. It’s not easy to do, as you are so familiar with your surroundings, so I’ve put together a list of places to go to get inspiration, and perhaps motivate you to take your house up a notch, and really wow your viewers:

1. Pinterest – if you haven’t yet heard of this nifty site, you soon will do. It’s essentially an image portal, organised into personal ‘pin boards’. A search for ‘cosy’ for example, will lead you to a huge gallery of home and interiors images, all tagged ‘cosy’ by the contributors. You can simply browse this gorgeous site for hours, and if you like, create your own pin boards, grouping the images you come across by room type, style, colour and so on.

2. House to Home – another beautiful site, owned and maintained by the publishers of the top interiors magazines such as 25 Beautiful Homes and Ideal Home. Here you’ll find thousands of images of rooms and gardens, organised by category, style or colour. Once you’ve found a room style you like, you can even ‘Pin’ the image to Pinterest to save for later.

3. John Lewis – a stroll around any store will leave you breathless with excitement and full of ideas! If you find that the prices are too rich for your budget, have a look in Matalan, TK Max Home or Argos for cheaper alternatives.

4. Local showhomes – these will give you loads of ideas for your own home. If they are appealing to the same market as you are with your home, copy as many of their ideas as you can. They have been carefully designed for maximum appeal to that particular buyer, so you need to compete strongly to make your house really stand out.

5. Home Stagers – hiring a professional home stager to give you ideas for refreshing the look of your home can cost as little as £150, and you can even ask them to draw you up a shopping list, to your budget. An invaluable resource when you’re struggling to sell your home. Try Home Stager Network to find a local stager.

So there you go – now you have no excuse to sit back and do nothing! It’s a tough old market out there and to beat the competition you really have you up your game. Happy browsing :o)

If you enjoyed this post and would like to get our Selling Secrets direct to your inbox each fortnight, here’s the link you need – https://www.home-truths.co.uk/selling-secrets/

If you’d like my help to sell your home more effectively, please answer a few short questions here and if I think I can help you, I’ll be in touch.

Whether you have a solitary budgie or a whole menagerie, any pet you have will doubtless be a very important member of your family. However, even though it’s sometimes difficult for pet lovers to imagine, there is in fact a large proportion of the population that just doesn’t like animals in the house. So what to do when you have a viewing arranged?

To make sure you don’t alienate your viewers and put them off your home from the moment they step through the door, it’s best to eliminate all traces of your pets if at all possible. If your agent accompanies viewers, then take the dog out for a walk; if you conduct the viewings yourself, and the weather allows it, let your dog have a sleep in the car, or leave it with a neighbour.

Move out of sight all pet paraphernalia: litter trays, pet food, dog beds, cat toys, etc. Close the cat flap, and ask a friend to look after the budgie.

Whilst you may prefer to sell your home to a pet lover just like you, in reality it doesn’t make sense to limit your market and you need to look at selling your property in a dispassionate and logical way. Give your buyers the chance to fall in love with your house and your beloved pets will soon have a new home to move to.

If you’d like my help to sell your home more effectively, please answer a few short questions here and if I think I can help you, I’ll be in touch.

When buyers are property perusing, the first minute of a potential home viewing is imperative. An initial positive sixty seconds puts them into a great frame of mind, where as if they pick fault in those vital moments, chances are they won’t be signing on any dotted lines. A good first impression will make your viewer want to live in your home, and that’s what you need to establish in those first moments.

We’ve previously discussed kerb appeal, and the stamp your home has already made before buyers even get to the front door. If this is flawless, read our tips on the first sixty seconds when they step through the door…

Maintenance – How’s that broken light fitting in the hall, are the wires still dangling from the ceiling? A minor five minute job for you can lose you a sale. Showing a lazy attitude to your general DIY before a house viewing, can leave people deflated and wondering what else you might not have fixed, especially things that can’t be seen. Complete all repairs in the house before you have people over.

Cleaning – You may have enjoyed your eggs on toast this morning, but the buyers won’t enjoy the pots on the table, or the leftover smell. It may seem like a minor detail, but if it’s one of the first things they see, it’ll leave an impression. Do the dishes and make your kitchen shine. Hoover and dust each corner and crevice of your home to perfection, wash the windows, and make people want to live there.

Clutter – De-cluttering is vital for the first minute of a property viewing. If buyers walk in to a hall or living room that is full to bursting, it makes rooms look smaller and your home immediately feels chaotic. To envision themselves living there, buyers need clear open spaces to picture where their belongings and furniture can go, and it’s hard to imagine this with piles of stuff in their line of vision. If you have a lot of clutter, spend a weekend sorting it out. If it’s easier, store things at a friend’s house, although throwing out things you don’t need now will save you time when you move.

Smells – Just like the eggs example, any lingering smells will hit buyer’s noses instantly. Open the windows (weather permitting!) to let fresh air into your rooms. Put any pets outside or ask someone to look after them. Create a nice smell for the air, such as baking. Read about smells in your home in more detail here.

Colours – Even if you love your very darkly painted entrance room, heading into a dark room could give a bad first impression. Research has shown that a lot of buyers prefer natural colours such as magnolia, and this is a sensible choice for a hallway. Heading into a light and bright room, works wonders.

If you want to create the right first impression with your buyers and generate a positive viewing, the points above are crucial to pay attention to. If a sale can be generated from a few hours of work, it will be worth it when you are shaking hands with the agents for your property.

If you’d like my help to sell your home more effectively, please answer a few short questions here and if I think I can help you, I’ll be in touch.

Most estate agents have great cameras these days, and will tell you they can get just as good shots as a pro photographer. After all, cameras have come on in huge leaps and bounds, and yesterday’s pro camera costing thousands is today’s amateur camera, costing less than a couple of hundred.

Meanwhile, Sam (me) tells you that you must have professional images to sell your house effectively and that an amateur’s efforts just won’t cut it.

So who’s right?

Me of course!

Here are seven reasons why you need a pro on the job:

1. A pro will see what an amateur won’t. When he has a tripod set up, he can evaluate the shot in a considered way, and move out of the way anything that might sabotage it: a cat bowl, a rubbish bin, even a colourful hairbrush. Anything that may distract a viewer from looking at the main features of a room.

2. A pro can deal with light levels. How often do you look at a photograph of a house interior on Rightmove, where the windows are just white boxes? This is what a pro calls ‘blown out’ and it is because an amateur doesn’t have the expertise to cope with dark corners and light streaming through the window, at the same time.

3. A pro sees shots everywhere. Unlike an amateur, who will generally just get one wide-angled shot of every room, a pro will see a creative shot in the turn of a banister, or across a garden feature towards the sunshine. He is trained to look for the shots where they occur, not snap what’s there.

4. A pro will add ambience. He knows when to turn lamps on, and when to rely on the sun coming through the window instead. He is adept at capturing atmosphere like a roaring fire or flickering candle.

5. A pro takes his time. He has allocated a certain amount of time for the shoot, often several hours, and will walk round the property and plan the shoot carefully in his head. He takes account of where the light falls, and its path over the course of the shoot.

6. A pro has professional integrity. He needs to get the very best shots possible of your home – that’s his job. Whereas for an agent, the photography is just part of a very complex, demanding job, a pro photographer can instead dedicate himself to the job of getting those perfect images, no matter what it takes.

7. A pro will deliver an exceptional finished result. It can easily take almost as long to edit a shoot as it does to take the photographs in the first place. In fact my sister, the fab wedding photographer Kathy Ashdown, takes 40 hours to edit a wedding that took her perhaps 12 hours to shoot. White balance, levels, saturation, sharpness, and lots more all have to be accounted for and enhanced so that the finished image is practically a work of art.

If you’d like my help to sell your home more effectively, please answer a few short questions here and if I think I can help you, I’ll be in touch.