Selling properties Spring

The long nights are finally coming to an end and spring is on its way. It’s one of the busiest times of the year in the housing market and one of the best times to sell your home. However, winter takes a heavy toll on properties and if you want to get the best price in what is a competitive market, it’s best to try and make your place look its absolute sparkling best.

To do that, your checklist should include: the garden – front and back: windows and window frames: doors and door furniture: outside lighting: sheds and greenhouses and any exterior paintwork.

The garden is one of the bigger jobs, so let’s start with that. It may all look a bit daunting at first, but for some instant satisfaction, just have a good tidy-up. Start by sweeping up any lingering autumn leaves, paying special attention to any paths and driveways, then cut away any dead plant matter and give things like roses, hedges and perennials a quick, neatening trim.

If you need to brighten things up, there are a lot more options than you might realise. And, if you buy crocuses and daffodils in pots, you can take them with you when you move. There are also winter flowering pansies, or you could consider Forsythias and primulas to provide some high-impact spring flowers.

Pressure washing your patio is another quick win. If you don’t have a pressure washer, you can always hire one from The Library of Things for just £17.50 a day. It can make a big difference, as patios often get covered in green and black algae over winter. Garden furniture will also need a good scrub down. And don’t forget the barbecue, especially if it never got a clean after its last outing!

The lawn is another important area. Since grass grows throughout the year, it’s probably looking pretty scruffy right now. It’s amazing how much better it’ll look when it’s all neatly trimmed. Make sure you wait for a dry day, though, and cut it on a slightly higher setting than normal. If you give it a bit of a feed and weed at the same time, the nitrogen boost should ensure it goes a nice, tempting green.

It's also worth taking a long hard look at the front of your house and try and imagine how a buyer might see it. Does it have kerb appeal? Or is it all looking a bit scruffy?

Be honest because it’s what sets the tone for the entire viewing and so you need to get it right. Trim those hedges, weed those paths and pressure wash the steps. And how about the front door? Is the paintwork sharp and shiny or cracking and peeling? Is the door furniture rusting and tarnished or all new and sparkly? Is there a battery in the doorbell and is the porch light working? If your house is rendered, repair any cracks and repaint if required.

Windows have an affect on both the internal and the external spaces. At this time of year, they are often filthy, which not only looks unattractive, it also cuts down on the light coming into the inside spaces. Give them a good clean or get in a window cleaner to do it for you. At the same time, you could ask them to clean any glass on your sheds and greenhouses. If the window frames are covered in cracking paint, you’ll need to repaint them and make sure you replace any broken panes and all the windows are opening smoothly.

Garden lighting (not solar stuff) is one of those areas that can often get neglected, so make sure it’s in good working order, or people may be suspicious of the quality of the electrics in the rest of the house.

None of this should cost much, just a little time.

If you’ve got a property you want to sell at auction, or are looking for some investment opportunities, come and take a look at the kinds of properties we have coming up in our next auction at Phillip Arnold Auctions.

Back to News