My partner and I are moving house next year as she needs to relocate for work.
We have had friends tell us some horror stories recently about how long it has taken them to sell. One described it as being more stressful than their divorce.
What can we do to ensure our house sells quickly? We want to be in a new home by August and were thinking of putting it on the market at the beginning of March.
What tips you would give that will put our house ahead of the competition in our local area, and how can we spruce it up?
Our radiators are old and unfashionable, some of the paint is peeling, our garden is looking unloved, the outside needs painting, the windows need cleaning. In fact, as they are single glazed, would it boost our sale price if we changed to double glazing?
Is it worth getting someone to do the gutters as well? We’d love to know a few easy upgrades that will make it easier to sell and boost the house price.
For expert advice we spoke to Harry Bethell of Knight Frank (left), Nicky Stevenson of Fine & Country (centre) and Matt Thompson of Chestertons (right)
Ed Magnus of This is Money replies: It’s definitely sensible to be thinking of ways to make your home more appealing than others on the market.
A glut of properties for sale has boosted choice for buyers, according to Zoopla, which says it remains a buyer’s market.
As a result, the property portal says buyers have become more price-sensitive, paying 3.6 per cent below the asking price on average.
Your timeframe looks realistic, as long as you price the property correctly to begin with and don’t end up being messed around by your buyer late on in the process.
It’s also worth knowing that it currently takes an average of five months – or 151 days – to complete a property transaction after agreeing a sale, according to Rightmove. So by all means hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst.
As for home improvements, usually the advice is to avoid doing anything major unless you absolutely have to, and given your timeframes, it would be best to avoid anything too ambitious.
The unloved garden, peeling paint and grubby windows sound like the obvious and affordable things to target.
Upgrading to double glazed windows or changing your radiators could be quite a costly and disruptive exercise with no guarantee of sealing the deal with a buyer either.
The average cost of double glazing a three-bedroom house is around £5,000 – £7,000, according to Checkatrade, although it could be much more expensive depending on your windows. For example, if you have wooden sash windows.
The average cost of replacing a radiator is £200, but that can rise to £300 if extra pipework is needed, according to Checkatrade.
If you’re looking to buy fashionable radiators that will appeal to buyers you’ll also likely be spending even more.
Trendy cast iron radiators cost anywhere between £200 and £1,500 while designer radiators cost between £300 and £1,200, according to find-a-trader website, MyBuilder.
There can also be additional costs that may be required with installation such as electrical work or redecoration.
For expert advice, we spoke to Nicky Stevenson, managing director at national estate agent group Fine & Country, Matt Thompson, head of sales at London estate agent, Chestertons, and Harry Bethell, head of Cheltenham sales at Knight Frank.
A fresh lick of paint: Paint in neutral tones. You have to remember that when a potential buyer is viewing your property, they want to visualise it as their home
Make it clean and neutral
Nicky Stevenson replies: To sell your house in the shortest possible time frame, focus on making it as appealing as possible to potential buyers.
Start with freshening up paintwork in neutral tones. You have to remember that when a potential buyer is viewing your property, they want to visualise it as their home. That makes it more difficult if it has dated decor or the colour scheme is too bold.
Give each room a clear purpose and consider hiring a professional staging or styling company to enhance its appeal. First impressions are critical, so ensure everything is ready before professional photos and videos are taken.
Tidying the garden and decluttering is also important if you want buyers to be interested and you will need to do this before you move anyway.
Harry Bethell adds: Declutter and stage each room to create a welcoming and appealing atmosphere for when buyers view your home.
Remove excess items and bulky furniture, create spaces that show the house has adequate storage and even add storage where possible.
A fresh coat of neutral paint instantly refreshes and modernises your home.
Prioritise high-traffic areas like the living room, kitchen, and hallways. Neutral tones like whites, greys, or soft beige appeal to most buyers.
Matt Thompson adds: Potential buyers need to be able to envision themselves living in your property. It’s a good idea to transform your home into a blank canvas which means decluttering as much as possible and consider giving some rooms a fresh coat of paint.
Flower arrangements and scented candles can add a homely touch and provide a comforting feeling during viewings.
Should they focus on small or big improvements?
Nicky Stevenson replies: Minor repairs can go a long way towards helping buyers envision themselves in the space.
Larger improvements like replacing windows may not provide a pound-for-pound return but can boost energy efficiency and attract buyers by reducing future expenses.
Matt Thompson adds: The time it takes to sell a home depends on a number of factors including but not limited to its location, overall demand in your area, price and last but not least the condition of the property.
If there are no major works to be carried out such as on the foundations or roof of the building, some cosmetic work can make all the difference.
Choose a good agent and set the right price
Nicky Stevenson replies: It is important to partner with an agent who excels in marketing beyond just property portals.
A strong strategy that offers broad exposure can connect you with a wider audience.
Most importantly, pricing your property fairly and in line with comparable properties in your area is equally crucial. Overpricing a property often leads to prolonged time on the market.
Trust your agent’s expertise and list at a competitive price aligned with market demand.
Don’t forget how it looks on the outside
Matt Thompson replies: First impressions count. We sometimes advise sellers to spruce up the front yard and entrance area.
As your property benefits from a garden, it’s important to show off its full potential.
This can be achieved by getting rid of weeds and overgrown bushes and by planting a few flowers to introduce a splash of colour.
If you have garden furniture, arrange it in a way that is inviting to help potential buyers picture themselves enjoying the space.
At least mow the lawn: as your property benefits from a garden, it’s important to show it off
Harry Bethell adds: Peeling paint can signal neglect, so repainting the front door, window trims, and facade gives the home a cared-for look.
Don’t be afraid to add a splash of colour to the front door. Deep blue or sage green can add kerb appeal.
Also, unloved gardens can put buyers off. Mow the lawn, trim the hedges and remove weeds. If the budget allows, lay fresh gravel and add potted plants.
Should they opt for double glazing?
Harry Bethell replies: Rather than investing in new double glazing, which might not offer a full return on investment, have the windows professionally cleaned and ensure they operate smoothly.
Clean windows brighten interiors. Repair and paint windows if necessary.
Also, don’t forget the gutters. Get them cleaned and repaired if needed. Overflowing or damaged gutters can deter buyers as it suggests potential maintenance issues.
Keep it basic: Rather than shelling out on double glazing, it may be worth just cleaning the windows
Matt Thompson replies: I would agree with your thought of upgrading your windows.
Single-glazed windows can put off buyers for a number of reasons, including the fact that they are less energy efficient, and can even have a negative impact on your asking price.
What about changing the radiators?
Matt Thompson replies: Your idea to make your radiators more fashionable would also fall into this category of making your home more appealing and is an easy enough thing to do.
Harry Bethell replies: When it comes to upgrading radiators, again, only worth doing if your budget allows.
Upgrading small things such as replacing door handles and light switches can alleviate buyers noticing outdated features.
What about adding an extension?
Matt Thompson replies: Be sure to know what type of modifications could be made to your home.
Some buyers may want to merge two rooms into one and knowing which walls are load-bearing and which ones aren’t can help you or the estate agent advise them on this during the viewing.
In addition, it’s worth flagging any potential to build an extension.
Prepare the necessary paperwork
Matt Thompson replies: This one is less to do with physical work, but an important aspect to remember is to have all the required paperwork in place.
This will allow for a smoother and speedier sale. Your estate agent will be in a position to advise and help you prepare.
Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence.