| Clinch that sale |
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| Written by Woman's World, 2008 | |
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Page 3 of 3 Call in the stylist!A home that has been professionally restyled will lead the eye to attractive features while minimising its flaws. At the very least a property stylist can help you visualise improvements.Anita Richardson, founder of House Wow!, has run her own design, home staging and show home business for a number of years. She has some useful advice: "Most of us will redecorate when we move in. If the vendor has already done it (and to our taste) it's a bonus. If it's not to our taste, however, buyers feel they are paying for something they will change anyway. "Buyers walk around to view a property, taking in the whole environment and looking at the possessions and furniture. Often years of collected treasured possessions, photographs, sentimental ornaments and souvenirs create a blur in a viewer's mind of a home for someone else - not them. The layout of rooms may be dictated by too much furniture. "The lounge in this house (photo 1) had furniture the owners didn't require in the next house - so we helped them choose what to get rid of. The fireplace was made appealing by adding accessories and changing the picture for a mirror. The whole area was de-cluttered, a plant adds to the feel-good factor in a property tour (photo 2). "Many years of collecting kitchen paraphernalia can mean that items won't fit in cupboards anymore. So it's time to decide what you really need. Leave on the worktops only those items that are visually appealing rather than functional - store the mixer and the saucepans out of site. "New floor coverings are more important to the buyer than decorations. Plain carpets in a mid-beige twist pile and marble-effect cushion flooring in kitchens and bathrooms add to the feeling of space and light and most buyers' possessions will co-ordinate with it. They are acceptable starting points." House Wow! offer an initial assessment and advice with recommendations and full quotation in writing for £95. www.housewow.co.uk Jolly up a windowFit a simple Roller blind to freshen up a window. It's easy to fit, cost-effective and will brighten up the space. This one is called 'Brighton Day' from Novatec. Prices start at £49 for a blind 60x80cm. Call 0845 241 1715 for your nearest stockist www.novatec.co.uk...and finallyHere's a good tip from Barbara Pentecost MNAEA of Smiths Gore Property Consultants: Any little jobs that haven't been done will make buyers think the bigger unseen jobs might not have been done either. Fix sticky doors or dodgy window catches and clean out any growth from the gutters before your first viewing.A good book every homeowner should consult: The Sunday Telegraph Guide to Looking After Your Property by Jeff Howell (Ebury Press £15) |
