When it comes to selling your home, first impressions are everything. At Ativa, we know from experience that a well-presented period home significantly increases your chances of receiving an offer at or above the asking price.
For many buyers of Edinburgh period property, the purchase decision is driven by emotion, and they typically make this choice quite swiftly. By the time they step into your property, they’ve already reviewed the size, layout, and location online. The enticing photographs have done their job in securing the viewing. Now, it’s all about ensuring that your home lives up to their expectations and feels like the perfect fit for them.
Consult Your Agent for Expert Advice
You might already have ideas on how to showcase your home, but it’s always beneficial to get your agent’s perspective. We interact with potential buyers daily, and we can offer valuable insights you may not have considered.
We’re also happy to collaborate with stylists and work alongside professional photographers to present your home in its best light. Remember, those marketing photos play a crucial role in attracting viewings, so keeping your home looking as appealing as it does in the brochure is essential.
Even with everything looking spick and span, there are always those last-minute touches needed before a viewing. To help you out, here’s a handy checklist of six straightforward steps to ensure your home is ready to impress potential buyers:
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Create a Welcoming First Impression
First impressions matter immensely! Consider how your home appears as buyers approach. One often-overlooked detail is the ‘For Sale’ board—make sure it’s clean and straight. If it’s damaged, let us know before the viewing , so we can arrange a replacement.
If possible, ensure there’s ample parking available for visitors, even if it means moving your own car just before the viewing. Clear the path to the front door, tidy up the garden, and add some cheerful potted plants at the entrance. Don’t forget to give the front door a good wipe down, clean the handle and letterbox, and check that any outdoor lights are functioning properly.
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Keep Your Home Sparkling Clean
Once your home is on the market, try to shift your mindset: it’s no longer just ‘your’ space. You might be accustomed to leaving projects scattered about or having toys within easy reach, but buyers often request viewings at short notice. Keeping each room tidy will save you from frantic last-minute cleaning.
If you can embrace a clutter-free lifestyle while staying on top of housework, all you’ll need to do before potential buyers arrive is run the vacuum and pop any dirty dishes in the dishwasher!
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Ensure Your Bathrooms Are Fresh and Inviting
For bathrooms and toilets, remember two key words: ‘clean’ and ‘fresh’. If you maintain a sparkling bathroom daily, you’ll only need to do three quick tasks before a viewing:
- Drop some scented disinfectant into the toilet or spray a light air freshener.
- Ensure the toilet lid is closed.
- Put out fresh towels.
Tip: Keep a set of clean towels specifically for viewings so you can quickly swap them out before guests arrive!
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Add Stylish Touches
When selling your Edinburgh period home, you’re also selling a lifestyle. Consider small touches that create an inviting atmosphere and encourage buyers to envision themselves living there. Candles, fresh flowers, glossy magazines, and attractive soft furnishings work wonders in living areas and bedrooms. In the kitchen, a fruit bowl or some fresh herbs can add vibrancy.
We suggest using your marketing photos as inspiration. In most cases, you can keep the stylish accessories used during your photo shoot handy for quick adjustments before viewings.
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The Power of Fresh Baking
It may sound like a cliché, but the aroma of fresh baking, especially fresh bread, truly captivates qualified period property buyers! Our sense of smell is closely linked to memory and can evoke strong emotions. The scent of freshly baked bread or cake might remind someone of joyful childhood moments, while hints of coconut could transport them back to holiday bliss.
Filling your home with familiar scents can create positive associations that linger in buyers’ minds long after they leave—just remember that subtlety is key!
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Manage Your Pets
For many of us, our pets are beloved family members, but not everyone shares that sentiment. In fact, some prospective buyers may even have allergies. Ideally, take your pets out during viewings; if that’s not feasible, try containing them in one room along with their beds and toys.
If relocating your pet proves challenging, let us know befor ethe viewing. We’ll give prospective buyers a heads-up about their presence so any concerns can be addressed beforehand.
If you’re considering selling your Edinburgh home or have already made up your mind, we’d love to chat! Feel free to email Fiona at [email protected] or give us a call at 07900 605674 We also have plenty more information about selling your home available here www.ativaproperty.co.uk/
