If you have made the decision to sell your home, chances are you will want to do it swiftly and as smoothly as possible. You probably have so many happy memories from each and every room in your house, yet already you are beginning to see your home in a different light. It’s important to look at your home as a house subjectively and see what you can do to get it sold.
Combined with this you need to be organised; you don’t want to be delayed – don’t neglect that silly little thing you forgot to do which delays everything by weeks!
So here is a checklist which you can use as a reminder and a few other things to consider which will help you achieve the best possible price for your home.
Check out the competition
Look at what other houses in your area are selling for. View online most recently sold properties in your post code to give you a good idea of an asking price.
Declutter Everyone has their own unique way of living whether it’s sitting by the fire and knitting or collecting unusual beers. Start decluttering by packing them away now and creating space. An emptier kitchen worktop will make the entire space look bigger and more appealing to potential buyers.
Clean
Have a good spring clean, everything from the fireplace to kitchen tiles and carpets. It all helps make your home more sellable.
Repairs
Are there are any small repairs that need doing or scuff marks that need a touch of paint? Perhaps you have some paint leftover in your shed. It will not cost you much, but it will make your home look better and become more resistant to silly offers!
The garden
Don’t forget the garden and the front of the house. Are there any bushes or trees that need trimming? Are the windows clean, has the grass been cut? The first thing your buyers will see is the front of the house and first impressions last.
Make an entrance
As you enter your home through the front door look at what will greet potential buyers. A nice, presentable, clean and in good condition hall or room or porch will welcome new owners not just viewers.
Paperwork
You don’t want to be delayed waiting for a gas safety certificate, or any other paperwork - perhaps from building control for any structural work you had carried out.
Solicitor
Don’t give your solicitors any excuses to delay you! Call them and double check if there is anything you need in terms of conveyancing and paperwork to get the ball rolling.
Photography/video tours
Check out your home’s profile once it goes live, check the pictures for accuracy. Once you have done all this your house should look as pretty as a picture and you will soon be on the move for the right price.
Do you want to enjoy a seamless and swift house move? Contact us
We have all heard it before. “Moving is one of the most stressful things you can do.” Compared with many other more serious predicaments in life this is of course not true. Like flying to the moon or near-death experiences! However, it’s right up there with the big stuff like your career and relationships according to some experts.
It’s got everything, from hurting your back by lifting large furniture through narrow spaces to worrying about paperwork, and the emotional roller coaster ride of saying goodbye to friends and family you might not see for a while. Then the elation and excitement of a new home and maybe a new life. With all this going on it’s easy to get stressed. There is so much to think about. We have come up with a few tips to help you make the big move less stressful by breaking it down into manageable pieces.
The sooner you start the better
The longer you put things off the more they fester in your mind. Instead simply packing a few things earlier will stop you from becoming stressed thinking about the huge task ahead. Start with the little things. Stuff you don’t use often, an hour here and an hour there. Don’t make it a task. Then you are already ahead of the game.
Come up with a plan
Make a nice cup of coffee or tea, or something stronger! Sit down and relax, then scribble down a plan. Write a list to break each of your tasks into smaller chunks, perhaps using titles such as – the happy day, for when you move in. Breaking your tasks down like this will help you keep calm and gives you a plan to stick to while reducing the chances of the unexpected. Perhaps have a packing section, a pre-move checklist and a post-move checklist, to deal with the change of address!
Budget
It’s always a good idea to create a budget. Moving can be expensive and the more time you give yourself to plan the costs and see where you could save the better. If you are using a removal company, shop around, while they will make your life easier, if the cost is more than you can afford you may find yourself stressing over money.
Don’t forget yourself!
Your mind will be teeming with everything to do with your new home. Remember to look after yourself, plan breaks on the big day - a time to eat and a time to rest. When you get stressed, remember to breathe. When you move in, sort the bedrooms first. This process will take a few days and you will need to sleep well. Perhaps pack a self-care box, so you are not frantically looking for something that is essential to you.
Say your goodbyes
Remember to set aside some time to say goodbye. It’s important to do this and if you don't plan it you may find you are trying to do too much at once; packing, while saying goodbye. It could cause an emotional and stress overload!
Finally
There is no doubt following these steps will reduce your stress levels massively and with a bit of luck you will be able to enjoy the big move!
Can’t wait to move into your forever home or looking to make your first big move? Get in touch.
You want to treat your partner this Valentine’s Day. Perhaps a meal out, a card, flowers and chocolates are more your style. After all, you are both trying to take your first steps on the property ladder; you are trying to save. It’s not easy, sometimes you feel like it’s never going to happen. You don’t want to spend on a property you don’t own. On the other hand, you want to make the most of where you live. The relationship you have with where you live is important. Showing that you care might just help you fall in love with your place. Here are a few tips and things you can do that won't break the bank!
Create the perfect space
It’s all about being comfortable in your surroundings. Functionality is important. The first part of creating a great ambience is decluttering or arranging your room so it is as stress-free as possible. Often less is more but you still want a feeling of space with cosiness.
Lights and candles
Lighting affects your mood. Candles particularly at this time of year are perfect for that romantic evening in. Don’t just use them on Valentine’s Day. Use them after a long day at work and relax in the soft lighting which will soothe you and create a relaxing ambience.
Conversely, simply changing a few bulbs and creating lots of light in the kitchen for example will create a feeling of space. Use LED bulbs and reduce your carbon footprint while saving some money.
Add some personal touches
Flowers, candles, paintings or pictures of a special time or place. Once your rooms are decluttered and clean these items will have a huge impact and help you to relax more quickly. This adds to the quality of your life while adding character and just enough detail to help stimulate your visual senses.
Plants
A few plants here and there reduce stress levels while adding an element of nature to your rooms. Improving the quality of the air in your home and giving you a sense of well-being that combines with the glorious effect of natural aesthetics.
Celebrate outdoor living
A nice space outside with candles or a stove underneath the stars is not only romantic but a great way to add another room to your house. It may be outside but create the right space and it’s as important as any room in the house.
TLC
Keeping everything clean and in good working order is one of the simplest and best ways to show the place where you live how much you care. In return, it might along with some other steps help you fall in love with the special place you live for you and your loved ones to share.
Browse our website today you might just find a property you will love.
Spring is still a month away and the longer, lighter days of summer breeze are even further in the future. That’s not to say you can’t start giving your home a good spring clean now and get ahead of the seasons. It can be a liberating, therapeutic experience and often quite necessary with Christmas not that far behind us. The odd pine needle that you may find on the floor or carpet is proof that you made the right decision to give your home a spring clean.
Now that you are on top of your cleaning, in fact, your house is an impeccable example of cleanliness. What else do you need to think about at this time of year?
Inspection
Give your home a good overall inspection. When you find anything that needs attention take a picture of it or make a note. Then you can create a list of priorities. This is the first step to sorting whatever you find!
Check your caulking
A good place to start is to check out your bathroom caulking. During the steamy windows of wintry months, this often suffers. The cold winter weather outside means that you have perhaps not opened the windows quite as often as usual.
Windows
Give your windows a good clean. You most likely have a window cleaner to do the outside, get some vinegar, water and elbow grease and tackle the inside.
Gutters
After the windy assaults of winter, it’s always a good idea to check your guttering. If it's damaged, when it rains again it can cause more damage or flooding which could lead to expensive repairs. Plus, it’s always a good idea to get on top of any repairs because there might be a bit of a wait to get them fixed if you find any.
Roof
Checking your roof is important; a few slate tiles may have become loose or perhaps have blown away. Use a camera or binoculars, just to be on the safe side.
Garden
It might be a bit early to get fully immersed in your garden. However, you can certainly have a tidy-up and start planting a few bulbs for the summer. Why not check the patio for weeds or cracks that may have appeared from the ice? Simply doing these things will make you feel as if spring and summer are well on the way.
Wood
If there are a couple of clear days and you have the time. Reseal your decking or fences, as well as the shed or gates. Now is a great time to get it done.
Concrete and pointing
Any concrete, pointing, tarmac or hard surfaces that may have cracked over the winter or simply become cluttered up with moss or dirt can be cleaned. This will brighten up the appearance of your home and make it feel a bit more spring-like.
The result
Doing all these things will help whether you are staying put, selling, thinking of moving or if you have plans to develop your property in the coming months.
Thinking of moving? Call us today for a valuation to see how we can help.
Two-day silent meditation retreat at the Kuti, in stunning Charnwood Forest.
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