How to make your property stand out in the market

Property expert David Leake of Housesetc gives his advice on what you can do to make your property appeal to as many potential buyers as possible.

There’s no doubt that moving home is up there with life’s most stressful events.

Not only is there the emotional and physical upheaval to deal with, there’s the legal complexity, admin marathon and uncertainty around whether you’ll actually cross the finish line that can leave nerves feeling frayed.

You can get a rough idea of what properties in your area are selling by using OnTheMarket.com’s quick online tool. You can then get on with organising a valuation and choosing an estate agent.

Max your property’s appeal
Once you’ve chosen your agent, it’s time to make your property as appealing as possible for prospective buyers. Doing that before you have any photographs taken will obviously mean your property will look its best in marketing materials. A few areas might need a lick of paint. Perhaps a bit of decluttering and clearing is in order. Put yourself in a buyer’s shoes.

Here are three top tips:
1. Give your property kerb appeal. Make sure the visible front elevation of the house, including the approach, the front door, the soft and hard landscaping, is immaculately presented.

2. If you’re lucky enough to have one, stripe your lawn. Cut your lawn every three or four days if you’re on the market. Ensure the garden is tidy and trim, and the patios and terraces scrubbed and swept. If you spend £500 on it, it’s well worth it.

3. Give the floors a spruce-up. I’ve started advising people to replace carpets that are outdated, faded or worn. It improves the photographs and helps with the overall presentation.

Make the most of viewings
Top tips include cleaning the windows and letting in as much light as possible in the day. And think about what lighting you want for viewings in the evening so that your home feels cosy and appealing.

You also need to consider who’ll be there when people come to see your home. Children and pets can be a distraction. It might be best for you not to be in, too, so viewers feel free to explore.

In spring, the market generally blossoms. But with the summer holidays out of the way, the children going back to school and winter not yet at the door, mid-August to the end of October is a sweet spot for sellers.