What are people looking for when they nose around your home?
Friday, May 15th, 2009
There are a lot of things that people search for when they buy a house. And it’s never as simple as having three bedrooms and a garden. There’s got to be something unique about the property, but there’s also a pretty standard checklist that people look for. And it’s stuff like this that can make or break a house viewing for someone. So let’s have a look at a few points you should consider:
Storage. The amount of storage in a house is important to people. Because people collect stuff. They tend to be hoarders. Especially if they have children. The minimalist look is great for some, but if you need space, you need space and it’s not something that you can magic out of thin air. So if you have corners of rooms with nothing but junk in them, put some shelves up. It takes next to no time and it’ll make a huge difference to the overall look of your home.
Electrical issues: Your house should be in working order. If there’s a problem with the boiler, or the electrics, make sure they’re at least safe. If something does need repairing, get a quote so you can tell people how much they’d have to shell out to get it fixed. They need to add this to the cost of the house, and if you’re at the top of their budget, it could be a dealbreaker. It’s easier to get it out of the way first.
Do they fit? Do you have a spare room that you use as an office? If you can, put a bed in there as well, even if it’s a small sofa bed. This will make a huge difference. If people can see a room with dual function, it’ll help them picture it as part of their lives. If they can imagine using the room, then this is a good sign.
Blank canvas. There’s a reason why everyone suggests you paint walls a pale colour. It allows people to imagine living in a home. If you have a whole load of brightly coloured walls, it might not be to someone’s taste and they won’t be able to imagine their life there. If your home is neutral, people can put their own stamp on it. that’s not to say it has to be devoid of personality, but it should be adaptable.
Are you happy? The best homes are the ones that people are happy in. So if you’re stressed out in your home, it’ll show. So those little notions of baking bread and making fresh coffee might seem cliched, but isn’t that the kind of thing you do when you feel at home? Think about what makes you happy about your home. Those are the things that you need to sell your home.
Remember buyers aren’t always practical, and everyone will be looking for something different. Seeing a happy home that’s been loved, is half the battle. Throw in a little bit of luck and you might find yourself a buyer.