It’s hard to believe, but Christmas is only around the corner. And, for those who might not know, Boxing Day is one of the busiest days of the year for property searches (visits to Rightmove doubled between Christmas Day and Boxing Day in 2024). So, for those looking to get their property listed in time for 26 December without spending a lot of money, Sebastien Lewis, Managing Director at Warren Powell-Richards, reveals his top four tips.
As a Surrey and Hampshire estate agent, we continually speak with homeowners who are desperate to sell but put off doing so because of all the work they feel they need to do on the house before placing it on the market.
From repainting the entire property to installing new kitchens, there’s a misconception that making a major change prior to listing a property will guarantee a quick sale and result in a higher sale price.
However, the reality is that the kitchen you specify or the colour you paint your walls might not be to the taste of those viewing your property.
The solution? Skip the big stuff and sweat the small stuff instead. Here are four things to consider.
1. Don’t spend on BIG items
I’ve known people buy houses in which sat a kitchen worth upwards of £100,000, but still replaced it within months of moving in. Taste is a very personal thing. And, regardless of how much something costs, if it isn’t to the new buyer’s liking, they’ll replace it as part of putting their own stamp on the property. If the kitchen or bathroom isn’t broken, then just get it looking its best. On any given viewing, a prospective buyer is likely to be making a mental note of the changes they’d make once they’re in, so new and expensive upgrades are unnecessary. Save your money, and put it towards renovating the kitchen or bathroom in your new place!
2. A new view
It’s very easy to be ‘in your own head’ when it comes to appraising your property prior to selling it. But the truth is that your view of your own home – it’s styling, it’s positives, it’s shortfalls and the things that you think it needs before you sell it – are skewed. You’re simply too close to it to be able to really tell. Well, objectively at least. A simple fix is to invite a straight-talking friend (or friends) you trust to do the appraisal for you. Ask them what jumps out – sights, smells and sounds – and then address it.
3. Make do and mend
A creaky door doesn’t mean you need a new door (or hinge). Similarly, limescale covered taps don’t require new taps in order to restore the shine you once had. A hinge can be fixed with oil or GT85, and limescale remover, followed by a polish, will get those existing taps looking as good as new. Of course, there might be countless similar-sized jobs that could do with some attention. But the solution might just require minutes – if not seconds – of your time. And if you come across a problem that you don’t know how to address, then YouTube provides the answers to everything.
4. Set the stage
Sometimes, the difference between an everyday looking lounge and a lounge that looks like it belongs in a 5-star hotel suite is staging. The right cushions – or even the right way to layout the cushions! – makes a big difference when it comes to selling a property. And on this point, we’re gifting those who instruct us in November with a professional home staging consultation worth £200*. We’ve partnered with Chloe Martin at Home of Staging, who will visit your home and create a report that outlines how you can optimise layout, soft furnishings and furniture to maximise value in readiness for professional photography and viewings.
Looking to get your property on the market before Christmas? Contact your local branch of Warren Powell-Richards to discover how we can help. Alternatively, find your nearest Warren Powell-Richards office here.
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