Create a bedroom to make buyers swoon

The colder weather makes snuggling up in bed with woolly socks, and a few movies and loooooong lie-ins something to look forward too.  This time of year many of you (sadly not all of us) will be having a Christmas break, what's the one thing we are all looking forward too??  Lying in!!

So if your property is on the market or soon to be on the market during these bitter months, it is rather important to appeal to your buyers instant needs!!  In the summer it's all about maximising your outside space, in winter maximise your comfy spaces, that includes your bedrooms, especially your master. 

The Master Bedroom is one of the most important rooms.  The living rooms and kitchen are where your buyers are wondering how it will work for the whole family.  In the Master Bedroom it has only to appeal to the buyer(s), as it is solely for their use.

Here are my top tips for creating a beautiful buyers bedroom.

Keep Calm and carry on decorating

Bedroom spaces, should be calm, serene escapes.  Keep colours tonal and easy on the eye.  Try hints of calming green, some graceful blues or a rich jewel tones mixed with paler hues. 

Dress your bed

Make your bed.  Invest in some crisp new sheets and an inner duvet without lumps in the corner, one that fits the new cover perfectly.  A wrinkle, lump free duvet offers your buyers a calming simple impression.  A crinkled one has the opposite effect. 

Add extra 'dress' cushions.  Ones that emphasise your scheme.  Experiment with different textures & sizes.  It gives an opulent luxurious impression and looks just like a magazine.  After all, remember you are appealing to your buyers impression of your lifestyle.  Even if you don't make your bed the rest of the time, get up a little earlier on viewing days to make the most of this room.

Carpets

Do you have laminate or wood in your bedroom?  Consider covering it with a lovely soft carpet.  Most buyers do prefer a nice squishy carpet underfoot in the bedroom.  I bet your thinking that the new buyers can do that, go on, admit it!!  All this will do is give them another reason to say no.  It also gives them the opportunity to not offer as much,  as they will vastly over estimate what it will cost to do the work themselves.  Sale season is almost here.

Windows

Bedrooms can often be quite dark.  Imposing large furniture such as beds and wardrobes can make it feel a little dull. 

Clean your windows regularly when you are on the market, the quality of the light will increase. 

Top Tip:  Another great trick is to ensure your curtain track clears your windows, then draw your curtains back fully, to expose the whole window and let in maximum light. 

Sometimes, you have to go that one step further and remove vertical blinds and roman blinds too, as they block the light and provide a barrier between the outside and inside. 

Did you enjoy these tips?  Well, I love handing them out to sellers.  My Facebook page is full of helpful tips, why not join me here:


Considering a sale in 2015, we can help with that too, call me direct on 01524 230722 and I can come and point you in the right direction to maximise your chances of a sale in the New Year.

Good Luck

Ps:  Symmetry is very important.  Use bedside tables with matching lamps then turn them on for viewings. Voila, instant luxury.

New Year New Home?

It is just a small number of days until St Nicolas descends on the world to leave a twinkle under your tree ready for the Christmas cheer, mince pie frenzy and all round eat-too-much-day events of Christmas Day.

Yes, the old fellow with his white beard is entering your home, (hopefully invited, as being prosecuted for Breaking & Entering really dampens that Christmas Spirit) to leave you a special Christmas wish.  What will you wish for?

Now, I love the idea of Christmas, but, I love New Year so much more. Getting rid of the old tree, always finding one present under the tree that was never given out, carefully packing away those decorations, and a general fresh and lighter start to the new year.

So what can you really do to ensure that the Post Christmas sales starts with a bang?

Freshen up your paintwork.

This is such a good way to cheer your buyers up in the cold January months.  Shiny new gloss, new lighter paint on walls to hide the day to day family life over the recent months/years.  This really helps to sell houses, paint over patterned wallpaper and bring a sense of calm to a powerfully coloured feature wall.  It will brighten and make it feel bigger with the added benefit of really shaking your attachment to your home.

BIG TIP:  Do it right!! Buyers notice when it has been rushed.  Cut into the ceiling well, taking that little bit of extra time will make such a big difference.

Remove your tree

Pretty key if you are selling in January.  Photographing your house with the tree up will date your pictures.  Sometimes they can look great! ensure your agents do take photo's of the house with decorations completely removed ready for a new launch in January. 

Oh, and if you have a real tree, remove it from your house and from your garden, stale brown trees in the garden in February will hinder your chances.

Pack all your decorations up - Every last bulb, tinsel strand & lost bauble.

We all miss the odd decoration, the bauble that rolled under the sofa, the small Santa in the dining room.  Missing bits like this can say to your buyers that 'you don't look after your things' so if they think this, what will they be thinking about how you look after your house?? 

Looks like I best have one final check on the 12th day of Christmas to ensure that there is nothing left!!  :)

My final top tip for selling post Christmas is:

Have your paperwork ready. 

Spring clean your home & your bills.  Check your guarantees, dig out your cavity wall insulation certificates, electrical

certificates, building regulations confirmation for any extensions etc.  Even better, have your broadband speeds, average bill costs and meter types all ready for your buyers.   We request all these, to have with us on all viewings to help your buyers make an informed decision, no waiting, no wondering, cold hard facts that will leave you feeling a little more relaxed knowing your estate agent has your sale in hand.

When you have recovered from your festive food, pencil in some of these jobs while you have time off, get stuck in now.

Quote of the week:  'A little of what you don't want, will get you a lot of what you do want'  So get clearing, cleaning, painting & sorting this Christmas.

Until next time

What to read next:  'Can happiness sell your home?'

7 ways to make your home 'cosy'

The leaves have finally dropped, Jack frost is sneaking in and your house is on the market.  There are many things that can make a big difference to your chances of a sale and we often find that the right house for someone really feels like a home.  Somewhere to relax and feel calm. 

Here's my top 7 ways to make your home feel really cosy to potential buyers, improving your chances of a sale.

1 - Light your fire

If possible do this for when they come to view.  (Works really well for photographs too, this is my signature shot!!)  Keep it burning, the smell and showing it in use will be an instant hit.

2 - Ambient lighting

These grey days work wonders for enabling you to set a mood.  Add lamps with soft bulbs in them across your house.  Try and avoid having just a single central light on as this can be too stark and unflattering.  But ensure that the bulb in your main light does work as buyers will also want to see the room with it on!)

3 - Candles

These are great for dining rooms, try grouping candles of different sizes, together and dot them around the room to give a sense of calm to a space.

(WARNING: Be very careful as you shouldn't leave candles unattended, Make sure they are away from flammable fabrics and the bottoms are protected from the heat transfer on your best dining table!)

4 - Fabrics

Sumptuous fabrics are a great way to make your home feel instantly more comfortable.  Thick winter lined curtains that spill onto the floor give a cosy luxurious feel,  try chunky knitted throws and woolly tartan blankets.  Make your buyers want to cosy up on your furniture.

5 - Smells

Some smells can be very individual and a definite no no.  (like, this morning's fry up for instance)  A light delicate fragrance of winter berries make your space feel inviting why not try a lavender fragrance in the bedroom.  They key thing in the bedroom is for it to smell freshly laundered.  Less is definitely more here.  Even a light dusting of carpet freshener can make a subtle difference.

6 - Cushions

Throw away your thin old cushion fillers and invest in some big fat cosy ones filled with duck down or for a similar more purse friendly alternative try pure duck feathers.  These really are an investment buy as you can change your cushion covers to match your colour scheme at your new home.  Different shapes and sizes work really well together, mix up texture and keep colours tonal for that cosy yet luxury touch.

7 - Rugs

If you have hard floors in your property this winter this is a key buy.  Those viewers will be removing their shoes and a cold floor is not very inviting.  Thick rugs can really cosy up your room.  Try borrowing one from a friend while your house is on the market.  Keep patterns to a minimum as you don't want to draw the eye from the size of the room.  A good quality one will make your buyers stop and take note.  We had a luxurious rug in one of our properties and every single time a buyer stepped on it they said 'oooo' and 'ahhhh' It was a real show stopper and a great talking point.  They felt like they had been immersed in pleasure.
 

Go and wrap your home in cosiness this winter and secure that sale.

Ps: Ever thought of having a couple of spare pairs of fluffy slippers for your buyers to wear round the house while viewing.  They will be removing their shoes after all, so make them feel at home.


I'm Victoria and I have proven again and again that little things can make a massive difference to your home sale.  I love all shapes of houses, all styles of interiors, and I especially love a good chat. If I had to pick my personal favourite house style, I would have a Georgian home.  I love the period features, the tonal natural colour schemes and I love the stucco ground floors!!  Want to tell me about what your looking for?  Why not invite me round to show me your, I love to give away some of my selling secrets.  Call me direct on 01524 230722

Did you enjoy this read?  I really enjoyed writing it.  Leave me a comment and tell me what tricks you use to make your space feel cosy

.

"I will let my new buyers do that"

This is a popular phrase that Estate Agents up and down the country hear along with,

 'it needs freshening up but there's no point if we're selling'

 

and

'the wallpaper is dated but the new buyer will want to redecorate anyway'

Sound familiar?

Now, did you know that these three excuses are the easiest way to ensure your house stick on the market longer?

Think about your buyer, what buyer wouldn't want the house that is ready to move into? Your buyer may be too busy, work too long hours, stretching their budgets to buy, have young children, may be downsizing for ease. 

ALL of these buyers don't want to worry about redecorating immediately.

The housing market is flooded with houses for sale, so make your buyer's decision easy and freshen up your paintwork and remove your dated wallpaper.  It's an easy fix and an easy reason for someone to say YES!

Here's one fantastic seller that was on the market for 5 months.  After implementing our suggestions they ACCEPTED an offer in just 2 weeks! Can you see the difference?

We have had some fantastic results from little changes just like this one and you can too. 

You are about to start a new chapter in your life, and this small change and a little elbow grease will work wonders to make sure your new chapter is closer than you think.

Until next time

What to read next:

It's not what you've got but what you do with it.

Sort your way to a SALE - Wardrobes - Part 2

Have you got the organisation bug yet?  Last week we explored the dreaded 'kitchen drawer' that we all have, in order to get that sale.  (If you missed it, click here) but there is a way to make a monumental impact on your viewings. 


If you have been an avid follower of my blogs for a while now you will have implemented a lot of things to ensure you get that sale.  You will also know that if it's staying your buyers WILL look in it!


But how can you WOW your buyers into making those all important offers?

WARDROBES

Step one:  Box, it, Bag it, Bin it

If you are anything like me you will have a wardrobe of beautiful clothes and in reality you only wear a very small percentage of these items.


Box up your bags


Bag up your best clothes


Bin anything that doesn't fit or you will NEVER wear again.


Then ask a friend to store them for you.   Keep only the items you wear regularly and NEED access too.  (You know where to find the rest IF you do need them)

Step two:  Organise it like a professional

It's a simple process, keep blouses together and in colour order, organise dresses into colours too.  keep shoes neat and matching pairs together.


Your buyers wont be looking at what clothes you have but enjoying the space, plus you will be showing them that you fit your whole life in this important space and they will too.


From this...

To this....

How could your buyers resist this lifestyle?




Happy sorting

.












PS. Add that finish polish invest in some new coat hangers, so they all match.  (the difference between a jumble sale and a high end fashion store!!)


What to read next:  It's not what you've got but what you do with it.

Sort your way to a SALE - Organisation - Part 1

 

ORGANISATION SELLS HOUSES - Part 1

 

To ensure your property sale happens quickly and a price that knocks your socks off, you have to think small. 

So what little tricks can you use to really blow your competition out of the water?

 

I have a secret tip below just for you.

 

The truth is, most people buy with their hearts, first time buyers buy as close to their dreams as possible with an organised modern property, mums & dads with expanding families want space and organisation, mature buyers want easy to maintain organisation, to make their lives much easier.

 

Guess what all these buyers have in common? 

 

Each of these types of buyers wants an 'organised' home.

 

So show them one.  Show them your lifestyle, because you are organised, methodical, and it's easy to maintain!!  (It may not actually be easy to maintain. You may not be organised or methodical.  Your buyers won't really know this though, trust me!)

Plus, if you go feet first to undertaking these tasks you will: 

SELL FASTER

SELL HIGHER

and then RELAX your organisation as you have done the hard bit.

DO IT ONCE - DO IT RIGHT

  

So how can we show that things are organised?  I have some Fantastic ways to show it...  I'm showing you just ONE way to do this.  (I do have many many many more)

 

Stick with me to the end as I have the perfect way to win your buyers hearts.

 

KITCHEN DRAWERS

 

Are you..

 

• Running out of cupboard space?
• Full of gadgets your not using regularly?
• Got a Drawer full of 'stuff' such as spare batteries that are part used, random screwdrivers, old chargers, kids toy parts you'll never fix.

 

We could be here all day with this one!

 

Clear this drawer TODAY.  Make it useful, chances are it's a top drawer, and chances are, it's the one drawer that your buyers will 'test'  so make it undeniably useful and neat.

Try:

• A drawer for spices, laid neatly with labels pointing up
• A sectioned drawer for pens, pencils, other stationary with an area for a notepad and pen
• A baking drawer - neatly sectioned for candles, sprinkles, icing, pretty cake cases, jelly.

 

Your buyers will be pleasantly surprised at your organisation, and if you continue this theme, your home WILL be remembered. 

 

I know you like this one, I mean, what doesn't say 'wonderful family home' like a drawer just for sweet sugar sprinkles on top of those cakes you 'regularly' bake? 

(Okay, you may not bake regularly but your buyers will want a drawer just like that so they can bake with their children 'regularly' too!!!) 

 

See it's all about appearances!!

Perfect way to a buyers heart?  Have these regularly made cakes on the worktop just above 'the sprinkles drawer' 

 

Happy sorting.

 

Look out for Part 2 - coming soon, want your next fix now?  Try this post:  Creating Atmosphere to sell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home stage your way to an Autumn Property Sale

There's no denying it.  Home Staging works, from manicured gardens, summer outdoor furniture and some cleverly placed items like fresh fruit and ice cold drinks, but what happens when the seasons change?

Why not change your styling. 






There are lots of quick and easy ways to make your house swoon worthy in the last quarter of the year.  Here's some fabulous top tips to leave those buyers wanting more...

Lights, Lamps & Loveliness

Change your old style energy saving bulbs to the new halogen ones, for a crisper light.  wipe a damp cloth over your bulbs in all your lamps for a sharper light.  Add more table lamps and floor lamps to brighten up those dark corners.  Try a range of softer lamps an bulbs along with brighter ones to set a mood during a viewing

Fireplaces

Make your fireplace the focal point of your front room, if it works turn it on, if it doesn't work, use candles to brighten it up and make it a feature.  Re-arrange your furniture, if you can to sit around the fireplace, nothing says luxury like a warm lit fire on those chilly autumn days/evenings.

Curtains & Blinds

Change these from your light summer ones to a thick luxurious ones to really exaggerate that majestic feeling in your home. Ensure that they open fully during the day though to make the most of that natural light.

Beautiful Boudoir

Yes, the time is here where there is nothing more delightful than cuddling up in a big comfy bed.  So make your buyers yearn for a bedroom like yours.  Add cushions and throws in luxury fabrics like silk and velvet.  Try Jewel tones against a backdrop of mushroom to add to the feeling of luxury.  Don't forget those super soft throws to enhance the luxury feel too.

Hard Floors

Yes these are a so easy if you have children or pets and great for keeping clean after a walk through muddy fields, but in the winter it is imperative that you keep that welcoming comfortable feeling, and cold hard floors through socks are not always favoured.  Add runners and rugs to keep that super cosy feel.  Not practical?  Keep them in a spare room until the day of your viewing.  Then you can pick them up and take them with you when you move.

Love these tips?  Want something more bespoke?  Call Victoria for your free FULL Home Move Appointment, we really are selling faster than the leaves falling from your trees.

Good Luck with your Home Staging

Maximise your chances of selling your property in Autumn

The nights are drawing in, the crisp autumn mornings, the falling leaves - 3 signs we are heading deep into Autumn.  The property market has a little autumn fire in it's belly and so if you feel it's your time to see how can you maximise your sale potential?

Check gutters & roofs

These easily get clogged at this time of year with falling leaves and moss, get them cleaned and checked and check regularly for any missing/slipped roof tiles.  A tell tale sign you need to check for blockages is a leaky guttering during a downpour!  Best dig out your umbrella.  It's little things like these that bring big reductions in the offers you receive.  Top standards get Top Prices

Gardens

Clear away your summer barbecues, your sandpits and summer memorabilia.  Neat and tidy gardens at this time of year really sell, weed out your summer plants and plant some colourful bushes and hardy plants to see out the colder weather.

First Impressions

Why not try a friends pressure washer to make your driveway gleam. If you have a pebble dashed wall, be sure to do a weekly sweep to clear up any stones that may have come loose in the wind.

Windows

With Autumn comes cloud, try and keep windows sparkling clean, it's such a great way to enhance that natural light and create a bright room.

Light

Add lamps. The best way to brighten a dull corner, and create a fabulous mood leaving your buyers with a good feeing.

Warmth

While the autumn winds swirl outside consider setting your heating to come on 15 minutes before your viewing, but be careful not to go too hot, the last thing you need is a stifling house that sees the buyers rushing for the door.  Take the edge off the cold for best results.

Can't wait to get started?  How about one more cup of tea first, and read our Autumn Home Staging tips to add that extra sparkle n your sale. Click here.

Enjoy.

Creating Atmosphere to SELL your home.

Atmosphere, has a big effect on humans.  I suppose this is the same as a habitat for animals!!  I mean, you wouldn't find a snake in an igloo.  Now, if you were appealing to a snake surely it would be warm habitat he would want and so you would create it for him. 

Consider your own home; it may be no longer suitable for you! It may be almost perfect for your viewers.  Creating a wonderful atmosphere can actually help your home sell quicker as buyers will want to spend more time there.

I'm going to show you just a few tips and tricks to do just that.

Here are the best ways of creating a welcoming & homely atmosphere your buyers will love...



Hallways

Make them bright and light.  Give them a purpose with a console table for keys and a small letter tray.  Add a lamp and a large mirror to double the sense of space.  Try and keep them clear and clutter free for a calming atmosphere.

Living Spaces

 

 Take out magazines and toys then add candles and lamps.  Turn on your fire, for the autumn/winter property market, or open curtains and replace heavy drapes with a lighter version for the spring/summer property market.  This is one of my favourite shots from a barn conversion.  Its sets a lovely mood.  Candles & lamps have a similar effect. 

 

Don't forget texture.  Got a hard floor?  Add a toe sinking rug.  Warm up a cool leather suite with some super cosy throws and cushions

 

 

Kitchens

Lighting should always be bright and as close to daylight as possible.  If your daylight is limited, remove dark/wooden blinds from the windows and opt for a white/light coloured roller or roman blind instead to mimic the daylight outside.  Atmosphere has a lot to do with how people see your property and your lifestyle too.  Simple things like ensuring the surfaces are kept clear of clutter and the addition of a coffee machine, super snazzy electric mixer, or even a pestle and mortar can create a very different atmosphere.  Choose something that complements your style of kitchen and the best bit is you get to take it with you too.

Bedrooms 

 

An atmosphere in a bedroom is very important.  Simple white bed linen layered in a luxury mohair throw, with a sprinkling of scatter cushions and floor to ceiling curtains, makes a massive difference.  Add matching bedside lamps for that finishing touch. 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the most effective ways of creating atmosphere is with the use of lighting. 

Cheer up dark corners, wake up your work spaces, balance your bedroom & brighten your bathroom. 

The easiest way is very simple.  Change your bulbs.  Try the new halogen bulbs, they use less energy, last longer and are brighter than the regular bulbs.  Steer clear of those pesky older style energy saving bulbs for a viewing.  They take a little too long to warm up to full capacity.


I really do hope this was useful.  Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes is all you really need to polish that perfect property.

Until next time...







What to read next:

It's not what you've got but what you do with it!

Want my full blog list to help you sell Faster & Higher?  Click Here

ADVICE + EFFORT = FASTER SALES

In the last blog we talked about how property staging can make a big difference, (click here if you missed it) but sometimes you need a little extra.

Sometimes there are things you can do to enhance your property.  It may take a little time & effort but the results will be worth every penny, as you should sell faster & achieve a higher price. This means, less mortgage payments, less bill payments on the house you want to move from and premium offers.

We should give these sellers a gold star, they listened, and they achieved!!!  So how did they do it? 

Step one: Advice

Step two: Effort

This charming little property had been up for sale for 2 years, with two different agents. It wasn't a new agent the house needed, it was a little VMAGIC.

After just a fortnight... look at the results:

Victoria's recommendations:

• Paint over the stripey wallpaper and continue the neutral theme that was already on the other three walls.
• Add a mirror (that you can take with you when you move)
• Clear the clutter from the shelves and sideboard
• Add some cushions
• Add a throw on the darkest chair at the opposite end of the room to brighten the shot
• Turn on the lamps and lights for the photographs

TIME ON THE MARKET BEFORE: 2 years

FIRST VIEWING:  5 days from launch

OFFER TIME:  after 8 Short Weeks

SUCCESS RATING: 5*

Take one bedroom...

We were commissioned to do the full home staging on behalf of the client, as they were unable too due to poor health.  It cost a little extra, but it meant she got the sale she had been waiting for.  What have we done here?  Can you guess?

• Moved the bed into a better position (using brut strength, it was a very heavy bed!)
• Dressed with new sheets (from our staging Stock)
• Added cushions (from our staging stock)
• Added interesting pictures to liven the room
• Added a throw at the base of the bed (from our staging stock)
• Brought in two bedside cabinets (from our staging stock)

TIME ON THE MARKET BEFORE: 9 weeks

TIME ON THE MARKET AFTER: 2 weeks

OFFER: after just two weeks from re-launch

SUCCESS RATING: 5*

Here are a few more before and After shots that of properties we have advised on, can you see the differences?  Think your sale needs a re-boot? 

Our advice is free, it comes with our desire to ensure your Property sells, faster & achieves a higher price. 

Are you on Pinterest?  Why not join us, we give out lots of FREE tips and you can get access to our blogs, advice & inspiration, drop me your link below and I shall follow you back  Click here

 

 

Until next time...

What to read next? 

Make friends with flowers, they help sell houses.