With the Scottish Government beginning to gradually phase out the coronavirus lockdown, there has already been a noticeable surge in enquiries in the property market.
Before Covid-19 changes took place in Scotland, many agents across England reported enquiry levels higher than pre-lockdown, with clients making the most of virtual viewing services.
It’s expected that those who were looking to buy a house prior to the pandemic are now desperate to get out there and put their original plans in place.
The latest update of the Scottish Government route map indicates that Scottish branches can reopen in phase 2, with property visits being permitted from then.
Although no dates for this can be absolute, preparation is key for those looking to sell their home this year.
We have already seen an increase in the number of calls from eager house hunters and would advise clients to start preparing their homes for putting on the market.
Louise Stenhouse, Legal Executive at Watermans, said: “We are anticipating that the current demand will only increase further once Phase 2 of the current lockdown is introduced so it’s important that our clients start preparing their home for sale now.
“Lockdown is the perfect time for people to start doing their research and for those who want to sell their property to make it more appealing to potential buyers.”
Here are some of our top tips in preparing your home to sell right now.
Create kerb appeal
Louise says: “Make sure that the entrance to your property looks presentable and the garden is looking it’s best because that’s the first image that a potential buyer will see and first impressions count.
“Paint the front door, cut the grass, pull out weeds, fix flower beds and pots, move bins, wash the windows – these are obvious things that can make a big difference when it comes to attracting a buyer.”
De-clutter
With people spending more time indoors than ever before, why not de-clutter the house you’re looking to sell?
Louise says: “Get rid of any mess and clear out clutter. Clutter detracts from the more important features of your home.
“You want it to be minimalistic but not clinical. Don’t take down every family picture as it still needs to look like home.
“Avoid making it look sterile and try and make it appear homely. There is a happy medium.”
Create a spacious environment
Take away heavy curtains and ensure your rooms look as spacious as possible. Keep it looking light, bright and cheery.
Louise advises: “Keep décor neutral and bright as it creates the illusion of a room being bigger than it is. Dramatic coloured paint can be quirky but it can also put off some buyers who prefer more natural tones.”
Bring nature inside
Never underestimate the power of a good plant or a vase of flowers. Nature can bring energy to a space and attract the buyer’s eyes to special features within the room.
Organise cupboards
Louise says many house hunters love to look inside cupboards to see how much storage there is. Avoid having cupboards stuffed to the brim and remove any items considered unnecessary.
Carry out a mini makeover
“Finish those paint jobs that need touched up,” Louise says. “With lockdown measures still in place, sellers should have more time on their hands to finish jobs that have been left for some time.”
That means replacing broken or damaged doors, drawer fronts, and hinges, freshening up grout and removing mould that might be off-putting to buyers.
Once your home is ready to sell, our conveyancing team are on hand to discuss your purchasing requirements and offer expert help and knowledge. Leith is, after all, our home – we’ve been here for over 30 years.
Here at Watermans, we also offer a free market appraisal service. In today’s world, we can offer a virtual valuation service for you. This takes no longer than 20 minutes and we can let you know everything you need to know to get your home ready for when the restrictions are lifted.
For more information on getting started with your property sale, contact our estate agency team using the form below, or call us on 0131 555 7055.