How to Up Your Chances of Selling Faster and for More

Whilst baking a fresh batch of cinnamon buns twenty minutes before prospective buyers pop round might make for a tasty afternoon snack, it won’t necessarily sell your property any faster. At Davies & Davies we know the real deal when it comes to selling fast and at the right price. Here are our top insider tips for achieving the best deal, from the people who really know how to sell properties in your local neighbourhood. What do we want in return? Just pop in with a Danish pastry or two and we’ll be happy.

Renovate to Recuperate

Give your space a new lease of life with a paint job or two. It might sound simple, but a fresh lick of paint and a nod towards your original features has more worth than you might realise. Our advice would be to use off white and neutral colours on main walls to help open up the dimensions and create the illusion of more space. We’d recommend white with a tiny hint of grey for warmth, and it’s best to avoid magnolia – that trend has been relegated to the history books. Where possible and budget allowing, you will gain more in the long run by letting original features shine again. Bring that boarded-over Victorian fireplace back to the future and discover what original cornicing might be hiding behind false ceilings. This will do wonders for your property descriptions (and later, your bank balance).

Keep Your Personality (Not Your Dog’s)

You might love that rugged doggo scent that Mr Snuggle’s has brought to your home, but some buyers might not be quite the dog lover that you are. We know, this is an outrage. Showing your personality and lifestyle is great, but a fully lived-in home, with dog hair on the sofa and moth eaten tapestries on the wall, can distract potential buyers. We would suggest replacing those old, worn-out blankets, for example, however cosy and hand knitted they might be, with fresh bedding and try swapping out your rather neglected half-dead hanging ivy with a rich green peace lily. Oh and do a deep hoover and airing out of the property if you have a dog or cat friend. Handy tip from one pet owner to another – use one of those reed diffusers from The White Company – fancy, smells like a spa (and who doesn’t want to live in a spa) and they last for months. Think modern and fresh over tired and worn out.

Stay Switched On

Sometimes when we’re stressed out by the complexities of life (such as selling your home), we can’t see the wood for the original fireplace. Which means we will often miss the obvious. While you’re rushing off to buy the best smelling bouquet of roses for your hallway, you might forget to check if all of your light bulbs are working for example. Making sure that all light switches, lamps and appliances are in working order is often bypassed by sellers. For prospective buyers this can shake their trust in the property as a whole, however small a switch it might seem to us.

Own It. Your Garden That Is

Where possible, owning your garden is a huge plus when it comes to selling. Buyers are very rarely interested in a garden share so will be looking for properties with sole access to their outside space. Again, this may come at an initial cost and we would ascertain whether it is worth it in regards to the whole house sale. Hint: it usually is.

The Devil’s in the Details

That peeling paint on the front door might not say a word to you as you come and go every day, but it’s screaming “I’m a giant turn-off” to any prospective buyers. The same goes for those broken tiles on the path that you’ve come to ignore over the years, or that crumbling door frame looming over you as you enter. We suggest a slow walk through your whole property from the street outside, viewing every detail through fresh eyes. You could be one wonky kitchen cupboard hinge away from a sale.

Get Ready for Your Close Up

High quality photographs of your property are essential for making the best first impression and catching interest among buyers. As we know all too well, however, there is only so much even the most talented of photographers (like ours) can do. Firstly, making sure your driveway is clear for the best front shot of your property, will go further than any filter or Photoshop job could. Streamline each room by decluttering any unnecessary items such as piles of paperwork in the office or cleaning products in the bathroom. Tuck those boxes out of sight, hide those trailing wires and make your bed – your parents would be proud.

Don’t Keep a Tight Lease

If you can, we highly recommend extending your lease for at least 95 years. This makes your property more appealing to all purchasers and helps instill more confidence in the building itself. Properties with shorter leases are a lot harder to sell and prove less valuable, particularly anything below 80 years. We can tell you how much it would cost to extend yours today and immediately improve the value of your home – just give us a call (it’s 0207 272 0986, if you don’t already have it saved in your phone under ‘favourite contacts’, which we’re sure you do).

Choose a Multi Award Winning Agent

That would be us! From initial tips and tricks, to your final moving day – we’re here for you throughout the whole process and beyond (excellent customer service, repeat business and glowing word-of-mouth referrals are incredibly important to us). Our advice and guidance along the way is honest and tailored to your individual needs, however unique. We have our finger on the pulse of the current housing market and will regularly update you with feedback, statistics and reports based on your current situation. We want what you want: a fast and prosperous sale (and to win even more awards).

Looking to sell through an award-winning and market leading estate agent (that’s us!) Contact our Sales Manager Mark to book a free, no obligation, property valuation:

mark@daviesdavies.co.uk
020 7272 0986
Davies & Davies Estate Agents, 85 Stroud Green Road, London, N4 3EG