HOUSE DOCTOR

Some useful tips to help sell your home

The key to selling a home is to 'neutralise rather than personalise'.  Viewers are not buying your decor, furniture and, more importantly, clutter.  They want to walk in and imagine themselves living in that house surrounded by their own taste.

The first thing you have to do is tidy the frontage.  First impressions count.  So make sure that the house is painted if needed and trees, plants etc. are trimmed and the garden is generally tidy.   Also if there is a pool it is a good idea to make sure it is cleaned prior to viewing.  If you have a BBQ area make it a feature by placing your tables and chairs around it.  Put your sun lounges by the pool, they will look very inviting to the viewer.  Remember living and cooking outside in the sun and fresh air is a big part of Spanish life. 

Clear your home of clutter.  This is the first thing viewers notice on entering.  If you have a lot of personal photos etc. it is a good idea to put some away so that the viewer can imagine it being their home instead of yours.  Clear your closets, remember they will be opened.  Through out your junk!

If you have pets and they sleep indoors you should take their bedding out prior to viewing as although you can not smell the animal, people without pets can.  The same applies to smoking, try to smoke outside to keep the home smelling fresh.  It is also a good idea if you have small children to try to keep them out of the way during viewing.

Ensure general decorating inside the property is in good order.  Paint if necessary, but remember you are not painting for yourself but those prospective buyers.  Choose white or an off-white colour which will help your room appear bright and spacious.

If rugs need a clean, then do it.  If not viable then remove or replace them.  Remember you can always take these with you.  This also applies to curtains or blinds

It is also a good idea if you have white aluminium or UPVC doors and windows to clean them and the glass prior to viewing.  Check that they open and close properly.  Use WD40 to stop any creaking.

Ensure that there are no dark, unwelcoming areas and put on lights and lamps and open shutters or blinds when showing your property.

Give each room a specific purpose - for instance, ensure a dining room or an office is given one role.

Make sure bathrooms are cleaned thoroughly.  Prospective buyers test things so make sure the hot and cold water knobs turn easily and that the faucets do not leak.  If they do, replace the washers.

Clear and clean surfaces and all appliances in kitchens and its a good idea that the kitchen smells of either freshly baked bread or coffee.  An old cliché but it works!   Ensure that all the cupboards are tidy, as they will be opened!

It all comes down to you.  With a little effort and determination you can sell your home.

Good luck.

spanishhomeowners.com