A breath of fresh air

A guide to selling your home in 2023

It’s fair to say that the property market has changed a bit from the dizzy heights of 2021 and 2022. However, the 2023 market is still strong and moving in a positive trajectory – sellers just need to work a bit harder to get the maximum return. Investing in your home now could earn you thousands extra in the long run.

If you’re thinking about moving house in 2023, here are my top tips for achieving the best price in the shortest amount of time.

1. Talk to your Agent early
Getting the ball rolling doesn’t mean your house going on the market the next day (it can do if you’re ready to go and super keen!) Taking the time to discuss your home and who you are marketing it to, as well as considering any small changes you might want to implement before your photoshoot, can pay off in abundance when you hit the market. The last thing you want to do is rush to market and do your home a disservice.

2. De-clutter
It really does make a huge difference to the appearance and impact of your photos and the feel of your home for viewings. You’ll also make life easier for yourself when it comes to
packing! Pack everything that you don’t need or doesn’t look quite right and store it in your garage – or make use of a storage facility of your short on space. For things you need to keep handy, make some extra room in those draws and cupboards to keep your sides clear.

3. Invest in a deep clean
You would be amazed at how blind we become in our own homes, but I guarantee when you walk into someone else’s, you immediately spot those sticky marks on doors or lacklustre windows, and it all creates a false sense of the house being tired. Sparkling surfaces and a fresh scent in the air invites you to move straight in!

4. Repairs and Upgrades
Scuffed skirting boards, leaky taps and wobbly door handles are enough to make a buyer think the house is going to need some TLC so get on the front foot and survey your home. Make a list of any potentially off-putting but easy fixes and enlist the help of a trusted handyman or woman to help you tick them off the list.

5. A smooth sale
It really pays to spend the time upfront getting your paperwork in order! Buyers can get very impatient if you are scrambling around for that vital document before exchange. And if your conveyancing process has been chaotic throughout, it could be enough for them to consider pulling out.

6. Finally, sell the lifestyle
Highlight what you love about your home by staging your spaces – pull out your favourite books in a cosy reading corner, dec out your sun-drenched terrace with glasses ready to be filled, or line up your favourite bubble bath and light the candles.  Buyers want to imagine how they would live in your home, so show them. When it comes to viewings, make sure that your home is continuing to set the right atmosphere – how does it look, feel, smell and sound. Fresh flowers, essential oil diffusers, candles, lighting, and music all help to tell a story to your buyers.