Top ten property tips from RICS
Published: Wednesday, 10 September 2008, 12:11PM
ITV News asked home owners across the country who have taken part in the ITV News 'Property Portfolio' to estimate what they thought their homes were worth: the figure totalled £9.6m.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) then carried out independent valuations for ITV News on the homes in the ITV Property Portfolio: TOTAL - £8.8m.
That’s a massive price gap of well over half a million pounds: £844,850.
Here are ten tips provided by RICS which could help you attract viewers to you property:
1. Kerb appeal. You have just 30 seconds to make a first impression so it’s worth spending a little extra time and money on the front of your house. Plant flowers, trim bushes, weed, pick up leaves, repaint your front door, replace tarnished house numbers or a dented mailbox, get a brand-new neutral doormat and hide your wheelie bins!
2. Eliminate Clutter. It’s easy to keep a house clean and tidy when there’s no clutter! Lots of memorabilia, ornaments and piles of papers make homes feel smaller and disorganised. It’s also easier for buyers to visualise their possessions in your home when there aren’t many of yours around!
3. Clean. A buyer will need to imagine living in your home and no-one wants to live in a dirty house. Give your property a spring clean before putting it on the market and try to keep it tidy during the period it’s for sale.
4. Neutralise. If you use styles or colours buyers would never select, you'll turn them off instantly. It’s a fact that neutral colours sell so try to convey an image of quality and neutrality. Avoid clashing colours and make sure your curtains, cushions and duvet covers match the tone of your walls and carpets.
5. Lighting. Make sure you have adequate lighting in every room, use subtle mood lighting to create the right atmosphere in each room and check all your bulbs work.
6. Accessorise. By using the right accessories, you can enhance your rooms and create a feeling of unity by using harmonious colours. Use mirrors to reflect light and space, and use plants and fresh flowers to bring life to rooms and add a natural fragrance.
7. Pets. Although you may love your pets, they can be off-putting to other people, and smells can be offensive, so make sure there are no lingering odours in furniture or flooring, and if there are, get them cleaned before you sell. Always keep your pets under control and try confining them to a specific area.
8. Smells. The smell of your home plays makes as much of an impact as the first impression. Avoid smoking cigarettes just before a viewing and add smells that make the home smell fresh and inviting by making coffee and baking bread.
9. Fix. Got a dripping tap or a cracked tile? These will send the wrong message to potential buyers. Getting all problems fixed before you put your house on the market is a smart idea.
10. Layout. Buyers need to feel they’re getting value for money so make sure the layout of your rooms show off their full size and potential. A bedroom adds more value than a study or storeroom, so make sure every bedroom has a bed. However buyers must be able to walk around the bed, or they will think the room is too small.