SELLING YOUR HOME
Before putting your house or flat on the market, consider spending a few weekends getting your property in tiptop condition. You may not add a huge amount to the value of your home, but it can certainly increase the speed of the sale and may sway the decision of any wavering buyers. Presentation is the key to getting things moving forward and turning that interest into a firm offer.

REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE
Try finishing off all those little DIY jobs - the stuff you've been meaning to do but never quite got around to - touch up chipped woodwork and replace washers on dripping taps, attend to squeaky floorboards and whining door hinges. A regular lick of paint will keep a property looking clean & fresh and keep deterioration at bay, and a newly-painted front door with shiny brass or chrome fittings always creates a good first impression. A well-kept garden, pathway and fence are immediately appealing.

Maybe your kitchen units are in good condition but looking a bit tired or dated. Think about replacing handles and painting or varnishing the doors or fitting solid modern worktops on to existing units. In the bathroom, coloured suites are out and plain old-fashioned white is back in vogue. If you've got an avocado or pink bathroom, consider investing in a white suite - it will add value to your property and may cost less than you think.

DECORATING
Plain walls in pale shades maximise the feeling of light and space and enable buyers to imagine their possessions in the property. Research shows that most buyers prefer natural, earthy colours to bright, bold shades. Although there's a wide range of paint colours available, magnolia and cream are still the top-selling colours. Plain white is also increasingly popular and works well in more modern properties.

PRESENTATION
Having the floorcoverings professionally cleaned will freshen up your home and provide you with an opportunity to re-arrange the furniture and have a sort-out of your belongings. Organise your living space - a property will be more appealing if rooms have a specific purpose, and this helps buyers to see the full potential of the property. Removing clutter will make it easier for buyers to imagine the room as they would have it, so de-personalise your rooms by removing items like family photographs and children's drawings - buyers should be looking at the property not the owner's possessions, so put some of these away until the property is sold.

VIEWINGS
Ask friends or family to look after any pets during viewings. Try and make viewers feel comfortable - offer them a coffee and ask them if they need any further information about bills or local amenities. Allow the agent to take the buyers through your home - try not to be right on their shoulder at every turn as this can be off-putting for some.

For more advice about selling your home or to arrange a valuation and marketing appraisal please contact our residential sales team on 029 20397152 or send an e-mail to us at:- sales@chrisjohn.co.uk