Sarah Trevett, our Senior Valuer, has been helping people to buy, sell and let properties in the local area for the last 4 years. Here, Sarah shares her expert advice on how to sell your property in South London and tells us why she loves working in the cluster of urban villages that make up SE5.
What’s the first thing buyers notice when they walk into a property?
The front door and surrounding area. If the buyer arrives early and they’re standing outside, does the property look inviting? Is the front door scruffy? Is the front garden or approach well kept? Are the windows dressed nicely or are there grotty old net curtains hanging up? Are there bins you have to wade through to get to the front door? Make sure that area is nice and clear – move any bikes or clutter and add some nice plants if you can.
What’s the biggest mistake sellers make when home staging?
Probably not decluttering enough. You really want a place to be decluttered and to look nice and bright. Keep curtains drawn or blinds up to get natural light coming through, and try not to have too much on the walls as it can make a space look smaller. We often advise people to have plenty of house plants, too, as they always look inviting and homely [you can see our blog on the impact of house plants here].
Do you have any advice for people selling their property for the first time?
Be led by your agent and take their advice! Second time buyers can be a bit more emotionally attached to their property, and that’s understandable, as that first step on the property ladder was a huge deal for them. But that emotional attachment can lead to unrealistic expectations of what they’re going to achieve in terms of price and hold up the sale. As a second time buyer, you might have your heart set on getting a certain asking price that isn’t realistic. Prices unfortunately haven’t moved much in the last three years, so unless you’ve done some significant renovations, like an extension, you’re unlikely to see a substantial increase.
If you do decide to put your property on the market at a higher price than advised, you’re unlikely to get a quick sale. So take your agent’s advice – we want the best sale for you, and want you to be able to make your next move.
If a seller was going to invest in one thing to increase property value, what would you recommend?
An extension is the obvious thing, but aside from that, invest in making any outside space as appealing as possible. Before you have your photoshoot and viewings, get a gardener in, trim back any bushes and hedges, and make the space look as big as possible. Plant some nice flowers and make sure the grass is cut nicely, because outside space is really important to people at the moment and it’s nice to see an inviting garden, not something that’s overgrown and unkempt.
I’d also touch up any scuffs and marks on walls: even if it’s just throwing a bit of white paint around, it will add to that first impression. If any of the rooms are looking tired or you have any really outrageously coloured walls that might put people off, a coat of paint gives viewers that blank canvas. It’s a small investment for a big impact.
What’s the most out of date piece of home selling advice you’ve ever heard?
The old-school clichés – freshly baked bread and cut flowers. Who has time for that? For most people these days it’s more of a ‘throw the kids toys under the bed and get them out of the house in time for the viewing’ than bread baking at 6am.
And it doesn’t make a difference. Often, people are viewing 5-6 places in a day. They’re looking at the size of the rooms, how the space will work for them, the location, and whether the property looks nice and well kept. Your freshly baked bread smell won’t even register.
What’s your favourite property you have ever sold?
We have one under offer at the moment that’s really quirky and unique, called the Boiler House. I loved viewing the property with potential buyers and am pleased to have found the right buyer.
But my personal favourite at the moment is probably the property on Grove Lane – it’s on one of the most famous Georgian Terraces in London
Tea or coffee – and the best place to get a cup in Denmark Hill?
Tea! Definitely. Without a doubt. As for where to get a cup… if I have time, it would be Love Walk Café. They’re on Love Walk down in Camberwell, and they do great food – and good tea! But usually I don’t have time so it’s the kitchen here in the office.
Finally, what do you love about SE5?
The diversity of our properties. In one day, you can value or view everything from a multi-million-pound house to a starter home. Then you have so many quirky properties and period properties. If you cycle 10 minutes in any direction in this area, it’s completely different – different properties, different feel, different prices and different people. That’s what makes this area so good to work in: that, and the community feel of the area. It really is like lots of villages.
If she’s not out on a viewing or valuation, you can find Sarah in the Urban Village office with her dog Reggie, so if you’d like some friendly advice on selling your property or are ready to put your home on the market, call Sarah on 0203 519 9121 and book an appointment.