Spring is the most popular season for putting properties on the market, and is it really any wonder? This is the time of year when we think most about new beginnings, and making a move, getting a fresh start, feels more possible now than it does during the dark afternoons in December and January.
The only problem is, because so many people are thinking the same way, you will have more competition from other sellers in the spring. Not to worry, though. We’ve come up with a couple of ways you can appeal to spring buyers and make your home really stand out from the crowd …
Spring Clean
A spring clean should be at the top of your to-do list no matter when you are selling your property, but it’s especially important now, because you’re going to need to clear out all those winter cobwebs. You should also dust and hoover, wax and polish, and make sure everything (including mirrors, windows, and even those hard-to-reach corners) is spick and span.
The ideal time to do this is before you put your property on the market, so that it looks at its best in your estate agent’s photos.
Redecorate
This could mean a splash of paint, or maybe some more up-to-date wallpaper, if you want to make your home feel more modern. Colour choice is all-important here – stick to clean creams and pastels, which go really well with the season, with maybe a bolder, block colour feature wall to add just a hint of personality. Pink, orange, and yellow, dawn colours, would be great for this as they lean into the ideas of life, light, and new beginnings.
Scents
It might be called a “viewing”, but prospective buyers use so much more than their eyes when they come to “look” at a house. Obviously, we’re a bit limited by in-person viewings at the moment - with physical viewings only recommended if buyers are seriously considering making an offer on or renting the property – however, we are hopeful that lockdown restrictions will slowly start to ease as we enter the spring. In light of this, you will want to make sure it smells as appealing as it looks.
Open the windows, let that lovely spring breeze carry the scent of fresh grass into the rooms, and maybe light a candle. Air fresheners / fragrances are great too. Citrus smells, especially lemon, are very homely. So are pine, jasmine, cinnamon, and vanilla. Plus, these scents are proven to reduce stress and anxiety. If people feel relaxed the first time they come into your house, they are more likely to want to make it their home.
You know that makes … scents …
Flowers and house plants
Strategically placed houseplants are a great way of injecting life, colour and warmth into a space. What buyer doesn’t love a bit of indoor foliage? House plants have a universal appeal, they add appeal without being off-putting or overly distracting. A vase of freshly cut flowers is another fantastic way to add colour to any room, and they will make it smell abso-blooming-lutely lovely too.
Lighting
The longer, less cloudy days will fill your home with an abundance of natural light, but depending on the direction in which the house and windows face, and the time at which the viewing is taking place, there may still be unwanted shadows. You can create a warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout the day by adding lamps with yellow bulbs, or white overhead fixtures to give the illusion of more sunlight.
Avoid harsh florescent lighting and bare bulbs, though; these tend to be overly bright and they can seem slightly clinical.
Homely Touches
You want your buyers to see the full potential of every space inside the home, so it’s important you don’t over-stuff it, but at the same time, the place needs to look lived in, so that the people looking at it can imagine themselves living there too. The balance between the two is very fine but it can be achieved with minimal touches, such as the addition of throw cushions, rugs, and some simple artwork. Floral landscapes would be lovely for this time of year.
If you need some extra inspiration, Urban Village offer a free home staging consultation from professional home organisers, Please Organise Me. It doesn’t cost you anything, but it could add up to 10% onto the value of your property, so it’s well worth doing.
Get in touch with us and book your free home staging consultation today by filling out this contact form.
Virtual Viewings
With any luck, lockdown restrictions will be relaxed in the spring, allowing us to make the most of the better weather and meet our friends outside (still socially distanced, of course), and to resume in-person property viewings. However, virtual viewings remain a convenient way to get a first look at the place for the buyer. More than that, for sellers, we have found that they help attract more serious, and better-quality buyers and they are a great way of generating extra interest in your property. We predict they are here to stay.
Make sure your virtual viewing showcases your property in its best light. You can read our top tips on that here.
Ready to put your home on the market? Spring into action, give the Urban Village team a call on 020 3519 9121, email info@urbanvillagehomes.com or request a virtual property valuation today – as passionate local estate agents in Denmark Hill, we know how to attract great buyers and sell your property the right way.