As we approach mid-winter the temperatures may be cooling but the property market isn’t! You may have been told that the best time to sell a home is during spring and summer, but here at Bayleys Marlborough we think this is one of real estate’s greatest misconceptions, we’re confident that our expert team can sell your home whatever the season. However, it is fair to say that when selling in winter you may wish to reconsider the preparations you make for open homes and viewings to fit the season. We prepared a list of our top tips to help you!

Preparing your home inside:

Let there be light – Don’t leave your prospective purchasers in the dark… Check your lightbulbs to make sure all your lights are working, leave the lights on in the house for your open homes and consider adding a few extra table lamps around your house; these will add cheer on a gloomy winter day.

Warm the cockles of their hearts – If you have a fire, light it. Who doesn’t feel cosy at the sight of a log fire? If not pop the heat pump on and switch on any underfloor heating in the tiled areas to pre-warm the house. Don’t forget the back rooms, if you have a cold spot in your home, these seem worse when you come from a pre-warmed living area, so you might need to borrow or invest in a column or fan heater to warm these areas before your prospective buyers arrive.

Get cosy – Add some warm touches to your home… Invest in some extra comforters, blankets and cushions in warm colours like red and burnt orange. It’s easy to evoke feelings of warmth and comfort when your prospective buyers come in from the cold; a folded comforter at the foot of the bed or warm throw on the couch, a beautifully plumped cushion, or even the simplicity of a lit candle in a coloured votive.

Embrace Hygge – Take some design inspiration from Denmark. Hygge (pronounced hue-guh) is a Danish and Norwegian word which can be described as a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being. Find out more HERE.

Preparing your home outside:

Wash away the winter grime – It’s tricky to repaint exteriors that might need a little TLC in winter, but getting rid of leaves, cobwebs and winter debris, then giving your paintwork a good wash will make things seem much cheerier!

Let there be light – Yes outside too! String up some fairy lights or garlands to highlight the garden’s possibilities and entertaining areas.

Pots and planters – Planted areas can look dull in the winter, so add a splash of colour with some pots and planters.

With Mother’s Day approaching we thought we should write an article that celebrates Mums!

As Mother’s Day always falls on a Sunday, there’s a high chance that as a vendor you will have some Mums stepping through the doors to your open home on May 14th. So we wanted to offer you some tips on how to prepare your home for the market with that in mind. At Bayleys Marlborough we have many working mums in the office, so we asked them what things were most important to them when they view potential homes. Here’s what they had to say.

• Open plan living areas – Mums of smaller children preferred open-plan living, allowing for lots of family time.
• Separate living areas –  That said, mums of teenagers and older children wanted to be able to give their family some different spaces to hang out.
  As you can see there’s no right or wrong answer, so don’t feel you have to start knocking through walls to create an open-plan living but make the best of what you have to appeal to your purchasers. You could modernise by placing glass paned doors between rooms to create a more open feel or create den-like family spaces in separate living areas.
• An office – With so many mums choosing to run their businesses from home an office is often much desired. If you have a spare bedroom consider adding some office furniture so that prospective purchasers can see your property’s full potential.
• A fabulous bathroom – Lots of our Mums said they often feel the only peace and quiet they get is in the bathroom; so make yours a tranquil haven with big fluffy towels, candles and a calming colour palette.
• A spacious and practical kitchen – The kitchen is the heart of the home and families spend more time in it than any other living space. Of course, we all know that it’s not just Mum that does the cooking, so this needs to be a room that allows for cooks to work together. If your kitchen needs a little TLC, then this is a great room to put your DIY efforts into before listing. We’re not suggesting a complete remodel, but a lot can be achieved with a toolkit, pot of paint and some elbow grease to make even the smallest spaces seem grander!
• A garage – This is definitely not Dad’s domain! Lots of the mums we spoke to suggested that ample storage was an absolute necessity when it came to a family home.
• A garden that feeds a family – All our mums wanted indoor outdoor flow and a glorious garden. Many said they loved the idea of a veggie garden, so even if you don’t have a raised bed, it’s amazing what you can grow in a pot. Consider adding some planted containers to your yard to demonstrate the possibilities!

If you’re thinking of selling contact us today for a free property appraisal.

So you’re selling? As you know open homes go with the territory, and if you have visited the Bayleys Marlborough blog before, you’ll have read many posts on preparing your home for viewing. We’ve talked about decluttering and minor repairs that you might want to address before your first open home. But what about those last minute preparations?

Picture the scene, it’s been a busy Saturday, you’ve been sat on the sidelines at kid’s sport all morning, you’ve done your weekly grocery shop on the way home, and as you pull into the driveway you realise you have forty five minutes before the real estate agent turns up and the open home begins…! Here’s our guide to last minute preparations for a smooth open home. First off pack those groceries away, and don’t panic. Then…

• First impressions count – Make sure that the front entrance is free from clutter, and that the handles and glass around the door are sparkly clean and free from smudges. Remember you never get a second chance to make a great first impression.     
• Prioritise your pit stops – If you’re going against the clock for a last minute clean up, then kitchens and bathrooms are the way forward! These rooms are really important spaces to your purchasers. So remove any dirty or draining dishes from the kitchen sink and surrounding area, and blast the bathroom.
  Top Tip: Always have a stack of fresh, dry towels in the linen cupboard. Replace any that might be damp from morning showers with these dry ones for a fast, fresh look and feel.
• Let there be light – Open the blinds and turn on the lights. It’s amazing the difference this small step can make in making your home look bright, spacious and most importantly… Welcoming!
• Bring a box – We recommend that you have an escape box at the ready. As you make a final sweep of your house, pick up any clutter that’s out of place, fill your box and throw it in the car with you as you leave your Bayleys Marlborough agent to work their magic!

If you’re thinking of selling contact us today for a free property appraisal.