Lockdown seems to finally be easing for us over the next few months, allowing us to finally get back so some of the big plans we had before everything went a bit pear-shaped.

So, what better time to spruce up your home now to increase your chances of a fast sale in an uncertain property market!

Here I want to share with you some great tips that you can use to greatly increase your chances of a quick sale and to give you a distinct advantage over anyone else.

Nine out of ten buyers make their mind up within five minutes of arriving

Remember that when you’re going through your to-do list. If you want to sell your property fast and for the best price, first impressions really do matter.

Find a good estate agent

A good estate agent will be able to help you secure a swift sale. Selling a property takes time, knowledge of the neighbourhood and negotiating skills.

When choosing an estate agent to sell your house, find out as much as you can about their experience, skills and fees:

What fees do they charge?
What is their commission rate?
What type of contract do they offer?
What price tag do they recommend for your property?
Do they have experience in selling homes similar to yours? If so, what prices have they achieved?
How and where will they market your property? Make sure they are showcasing your home as widely as possible by listing it on property portals, social media and driving your properties marketing through their existing channels.
How long will they advertise your house for?
Will they carry out viewings of your property?
How many properties do they look after at any one time?

Agree an accurate house price

It is important to price your home accurately if you want to sell it fast. You should discuss this with your chosen local estate agents to get an accurate valuation for your home that reflects the current market. Please note, They should not charge for this.

Prepare your house for sale

First impressions really do count so make sure you take the time to prepare your home for sale. Your estate agent should be able to photograph your property to its maximum potential, knowing how to show it off in its best light.

It’s worth considering who your target market is. Which type of buyer do you think will be interested in your property? The trick is to make your home appeal to your target market without alienating other types of buyers.

De-clutter

It’s time to clear out all the clutter that has built up while you have been living at your property.
Start by throwing away unwanted items, storing away ornaments, books and toys, and moving some furniture into storage to give the feeling of more space.
Hide away products in the bathrooms and kitchen.
Don't let toys, large pieces of equipment and furniture block windows, doors or traffic flows.
Clear up all the coats in the hallway.

Clean up

Make sure your house is spotless. This means cleaning walls, carpets, sofas, windows and all surfaces.
Focus particularly on cleaning the bathroom and kitchen, where grime can build up quickly.
Dust, polish, remove limescale and tackle tile grout.

Tackle the DIY

You may have been putting it off, but now is the time to tackle those broken parts of the house.
This might include replacing broken light bulbs, repairing paint chips, giving the front door or walls a fresh lick of paint, or dealing with creaking hinges, dripping taps or cracked tiles.

Spruce up the interior

Don't start a major renovation or development. Instead, consider freshening up the interior.
Make your home look light, airy and warm. You can paint parts of walls or doors that are looking jaded, hang mirrors up to give the feeling of space and strategically place extra lighting, such as a lamp, in corners.

External areas

Don’t forget to spruce up the outside of your property, the garden and driveway too.
Wash the windows, repair damaged fences, cut the grass, trim the flowerbeds and clear any pathways.
Throw away dead plants and empty pots.
Store away tools and other garden equipment, such as hoses.

And for those of you that have a bit more free time on your hands, here are some added to-dos that will further improve your chances of a quick sale of your home

Look outside the boundaries of your property

“You may want to spend a few hundred pounds on things which aren’t just yours but could make a massive difference to a buyer’s first impression," says James Robinson, general manager at mews specialist Lurot Brand.

“If there’s dumped furniture in the street, even if it’s a long way up the street, get it cleared."

Get a gardener to clean up weeds around cobbled areas, clear any rubbish that might have blown onto your neighbour’s garden and do both sides of the hedge when you trim it.

Tidy up your hallway

Hallways are often overlooked but they’re the first part of the house viewers will see and it’s important to clear the debris.

Ensure that your hall or lobby are de-cluttered and put all your coats, boots and umbrellas away and out of sight.

Clean your windows

Giving the windows and mirrors in your home a wipe down is key to showing prospective buyers around your home and, on a sunny day, any smudges will definitely show.

Bring the outside in

Flowers make a house feel like a home and are especially effective when selling during spring.

Placing a bunch of freshly-picked tulips or daffodils in the kitchen will not only add some colour to the space but may even work as a conversation starter when leading potential buyers to the beautiful manicured lawn and flowery borders.

Use light carefully

Sellers often underestimate light and this can be very important when selling your home.

Consider a few well-placed sidelights rather than a full on centre light, especially for evening viewings. It makes a space look so much more homely.

Put rooms back to their original use

If you are now using the dining room as a gym and the spare bedroom as an office try to put these rooms back to the use they were originally intended for. People can sometimes find it hard to imagine a house as having 3 bedrooms if they can only see one.

Replace brightly patterned or peeling wallpaper

Some people love wallpaper, others hate it with a passion. If you have wallpaper in your property try to look at it through fresh eyes. Does it have a bold, brightly coloured pattern on it which may not be liked by everyone? If so, it’s probably best to replace it with something more neutral. If the wallpaper is peeling then try to repair it or replace it.

Cure any mould or damp spots

Not only is mould and damp unsightly it can be bad for your health and become very difficult to get rid of if it’s left untreated. Unfortunately you can’t just decorate over a damp spot without curing the root of the problem. If you do this the damp will just quickly come back through the paint or wallpaper

Strip wooden doors and floors

Stripping old wooden doors and floors can give them a new lease of life and give your property a unique appeal. This can take time, but can be worth it - it looks particularly effective in period properties