For those looking to sell their home and move onto pastures new – look no further, here’s how to get your property market ready.
Sonja Townsend, 44, is an expert in how to dress houses, turning any space into a luxurious abode.
While the facts are important when it comes to selling, attracting a buyer and making their viewing memorable is equally as vital.
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And if it catches the eye of more than one person, you could be in for a sale over market value.
“All the properties I’ve staged have gone under offer within a month,” the owner of London Property Staging, from Brixton, told Luxury Property News.
“A house purchase is the biggest purchase of our lives.
“Why would you have potential buyers trying to visualise the space in the short time they are viewing?
“Take the guesswork away, so they can spend the maximum amount of time imagining their lives there.”
Here’s her five top tips to find a buyer, pronto:
THINK OF YOUR BUYER
Sonja says that the most important thing is thinking of who you are trying to attract – and the price you’re hoping to get.
She said: “I think this quite often gets forgotten and people dive into making their property how they like it.
“I will always write a written brief sharing the target market – i.e first time buyer, couple looking to start a family, single, down sizers, etc.
“That gives us a laser approach and also allows for more eye-catching pieces that photograph well.
“And will capture the attention of your [hoped for buyer] audience.”
DECLUTTER AND DEPERSONALISE
Sonja’s next tip is to figure out what you actually need when moving.
Be ruthless and challenge your inner Marie Kondo – sort, sell and declutter.
Sonja said: “Your house is your home, but very shortly it will be somebody else’s.
“You want a buyer to ‘feel’ at home in your house, and for them to start imagining their life here.
“That’s much more difficult if your house is full to bursting with your own belongings.
“Start decluttering now, you will need to do it before you move anyway.”
UPDATE AND DECORATE
To sell your house, you want it to be in tip, top condition – and on trend.
So, it’s time to dig the paint brushes out, but aim for neutrals to spruce up your home.
She said: “It’s amazing how much impact a lick of paint will have.
“Again, you want people spending time imagining their lives in your property, not focussing on scuff and chip marks.
“Go for neutral colours.
“If you’re unsure of how to match colours, simply get a colour wheel.
“You can buy them cheaply or online and pick colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel.
“I’m a big monochrome fan, so love pale walls and furniture and then darker accents for rugs, cushions, artwork and smaller pieces like coffee and console tables.”
THINK OF PURPOSE
What are the aims of your rooms in your house? Set out a clear vision and stick to it.
Sonja said: “Each room and space in your property needs to have a clear purpose.
“A kitchen is a place where you cook and may eat meals.
“It shouldn’t therefore be an office, a nursery or what ever it’s been for you.“Keep things simple for your buyers.”
A CLEAN A DAY KEEPS UN-INTERESTED BUYERS AT BAY
Finally, now you’ve put in the hard graft, it’s time to maintain all of your efforts by keeping the place spick and span.
Sonja added: “Once your home is freshly decorated, decluttered and with a few nice new pieces of furniture, keep it clean.
“Dust, vacuum, mop the floors, do the dishes [regularly].
“Not only will it be [easier] to manage when your agent springs a viewing on you, but it will also smell better.
“And, while you’re sorting the tables with polishing cloths, add a fragrance too.
She said: “Smell is a very important sense.
“Add some lovely reed diffusers to the entrance hall, bathrooms and bedrooms.
“I really like jasmine, neroli and lemongrass which are all fresh and clean scents.
“Nothing too overwhelming.”
For Sonja, she believes home staging can be make or break when it comes to selling up.
She uses her expert advice, tips and creative eye to help her clients – and now, she’s sharing these insights to help you, too.
Sonja added: “My clients are a mix of investors, developers and landlords.
“Quite a lot aren’t in the country anymore.
“With these clients I provide a full hands-off project management service.
“I assess the property, share what I think needs doing to it to bring it to the market, then I source and manage the works.
“It can be something quite as simple as a lick of paint, minor touch-ups, or right the way through to new carpets, joinery, gardening.
“Whatever is needed to really maximise its value and bring it to the market in its best possible condition.
“Staging is marketing.
“It’s definitely taking off in the UK, and I’m so excited to be a part of that growth.”
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