Spring Sale: Is Your House All Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion?

Update: this blog has now been updated, and you can view it here.

As those clocks spring forward this weekend will your waking thoughts lead you to consider moving house this Spring?

If so then now is the time to get your house “All Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion” and ready for sale.

Get Your Home All Ship Shape And Bristol Fashion

As Conveyancing Solicitors in Bristol you might perhaps forgive us for a nautical analogy. 

The origin of the phrase stems from Bristol’s harbour (until an ingenious floating harbour was constructed) having a strong variable tidal flow where the water levels could vary by more than 30 feet between tides. Ships that were moored would be beached at each low tide and necessitated a sturdy construction and their cargoes needed to be securely stowed.

But enough: you’re already well ahead of me. 

What if you are thinking of selling your home this Spring?

Spring is in the Housing Market Air 

Spring is the optimum time for putting your property on the market for sale.

Estate Agents just love the Spring. The Housing Market traditionally stirs and more Buyers are lured from their Winter hibernation. 

Winter’s drab appearance is making way for the optimism and colour of Spring. 

And, you can achieve a sale this Spring by sticking to some tried and trusted tips and quick fixes.

I’ve counted (now I’m way ahead of you) 5 top tips for moving home this Spring

Don’t Rush: Take Your Time To Get Your Home Ripe for Selling:

Give yourself enough time between thinking about selling and actually ringing the Estate Agent for a valuation or market appraisal with a view to selling.

Kerb Appeal Attracts Buyers and Puts Them in the Right Mood.

First Impressions Count – especially when selling your house.

If you are unsure about what to do the better Estate Agents will give you some guidance. After all, they will have seen many, many houses and know what works and what doesn’t. 

 It is important to get your home in not just top condition but top, top condition  (as football pundits might say) before it goes on the market.

As the expression goes you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Touch up, Re-paint, Re-plaster and Re-point 

 Although the housing market has improved, competition amongst sellers is still  fierce so it is essential that your property stands out from the crowd.

Smartening the appearance of your home may not add too much value, but  importantly, it could make the difference between selling in a reasonable time or your house sticking and going stale on the market.

Neutral remember is good – not nuclear (or too flowery as Lawrence Llewelyn- Bowen has found out recently when putting his house on the market).

Well- presented puts the potential buyer in the right frame of mind to make an earlier offer and can create competition between prospective Buyers – an Estate Agent’s dream.

 First Things First – What Will Your Buyers See?

Start with the front garden. If you are not a keen gardener get someone in to help as the cost will be insignificant if you realise the best price for your home.

Then, sweep on to the front door – does it need a lick of paint (gleaming is good) down the Hallway and back out to the Garden again. The Garden should be resplendent with Spring colour and if not a trip to your friendly nearby Garden Centre will hopefully inspire you.

No Excuses Either If You’re Selling a Flat

And if you are selling a flat don’t think that doesn’t really apply to you as you need to ensure the communal areas are up to scratch (even if you have to do it yourself – with permission of course)

Presentation Presentation Presentation

It’s true that where you are looking to buy a house you will be more concerned initially with “Location, Location, Location” but when it comes to selling your house or flat it’s definitely “Presentation, Presentation, Presentation” 

With a little forethought and planning you can make sure your house is All Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion and you could reap the rewards of a sale of your house this Spring within a reasonable time. 

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in 2011 in our original series “Everything You Need to Know About Buying and Selling Your Home in 31 Bite-Sized Chunks” and has been completely revamped and updated.

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