Category: Property Marketing

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Successful downsizing – our step-by-step-guide

Successful downsizing – our-step-by-step guide

Downsize your home successfully with our step-by-step guide.

Are you thinking about downsizing – perhaps moving to a smaller home or apartment? Downsizing comes with many benefits, from less upkeep and lower energy bills and maintenance to a lower initial investment.

If you’ve lived in big homes for the last decade, perhaps entertaining guests or housing a large family, there are many reasons for downsizing. Most likely, you just don’t need all the space anymore – you’ve got too many bedrooms and only so much time to clean throughout the day. Or maybe you’re moving to a city, where properties are more expensive, so you’re selling up and starting a new chapter.

Whatever your reason, downsizing can be exciting. It’s a new opportunity, a new space – and you might even be living in an entirely new neighbourhood.

So, this blog post will provide you with our step-by-step guide on how to downsize successfully.

 

When is the best time to downsize?

Before downsizing, you may ask yourself the following question: is now really the best time?

This is a common objection many people have before downsizing. But if you’ve already thought about it, then chances are, it’s almost time to pack up your things and search for somewhere a little smaller.

Popular times for many people to downsize include retirement, when maintenance of a property becomes more of a burden, and when you’ve got more space than you know what to do with (for example, your children have now moved out and you no longer need the space that was once necessary).

Downsizing your home means downsizing your possessions

There’s nothing quite as therapeutic as decluttering – if you’re downsizing your home, you’ll naturally want to reduce your total number of possessions.

That means opening up the cupboards and sorting through your belongings.

But it doesn’t end there – you’ll also want to decide what furniture you wish to keep and what you intend to either give away or auction.

As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to tackle the bigger items first. For example, this could include selling the larger items of furniture from your spare rooms, then working your way to the smaller items.

Downsizing unneeded rooms first allows you to displace more stuff easily. You’ll also begin to see how much stuff you actually need and what’s extra. And what’s more, you can still use your everyday items in the meantime – they won’t be packed in a box.

Implement a downsizing system

To make the process of downsizing your home easier, we suggest implementing a system.

For starters, we recommend using the one-year rule. If you haven’t used an item in one year, then chances are you no longer need it.

And for the belongings you no longer need, you have four options: give them away, auction them, give them to charity or bin them.

Often, family members, friends and relatives may feel disinclined to accept your possessions. But it’s always worth asking beforehand! Anyways, more likely than not, you’ll be auctioning them off or giving them to charity.

Consider your new lifestyle when downsizing

You’re downsizing your home for a reason, so you should consider your new lifestyle when reducing your possessions.

For example, if moving from a four-bedroom home to an apartment, you may no longer need a lawnmower or other gardening equipment.

Be sensible and only keep what you need, and the downsizing process becomes a lot easier.

Begin downsizing before you move home, not after

We know how difficult it can be to let go of possessions. But we’d suggest downsizing before you move home, not after.

Not only will you avoid removal costs (or back-and-forth trips), but it allows you to be more realistic about what you need.

You’ll also get to spend the first few nights in your new home more relaxed, not piled up full of boxes, fighting when moving between rooms.

Once you’ve decided you’re downsizing, this is the time to begin reducing your possessions.

It may take you a while to find a new home, so the sooner you start, the easier it will be. You’ll also have plenty of time to plan that leaving party!

Is this your last move?

Another important thing to consider is whether or not this is your last potential move.

If so, you’ll need to plan ahead. What do you really need, and what can you give away or dispose of?

We’re not saying you should throw away memorabilia and family photographs, but there are definitely things you no longer need that you can get rid of to free up more space.

Be realistic about what to keep and what to get rid of.

Avoid renting a storage unit

Renting a storage unit or garage seems like a good idea in theory, but these costs can quickly add up.

The main problem with storage units is that they encourage you to keep possessions and furniture that you don’t actually need.

What usually happens is that you place items in storage, only to get rid of them months later. Or, you may hold on to them for longer, paying storage unit fees for belongings you no longer use.

For these reasons, we highly suggest downsizing as much as possible before moving home, avoiding a storage unit if at all possible.

Make the downsizing process stress-free

Downsizing your home is a big step – but it can be liberating and enjoyable, and provides a change of scenery and lifestyle.

If you want to downsize your home but don’t know where to begin, or are struggling to find a new home to move into, then give us a call on 01772 252136 or email us at info@stonehousehomes.co.uk we’ll help you find your next home.

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How saleable is your home? Take our saleability quiz and find out!

There’s a sense of security that comes with knowing how saleable your home is – whether you plan on jetting off and buying in Marbella or you just fancy a change, getting your home on the market and sold can prove quite the challenge.

And with the recent dip in the average price of UK property of 1.3% as of August 2022, as reported by Rightmove, you may be wondering just how much you could get for your home.

But first, let’s address the elephant in the room: house prices.

Current house prices are in line with summer price trends over the last decade – the recent dip in value is completely normal, and there is absolutely no need to worry.

Besides, the rest of the year looks promising – as we all settle back down and pack up the deck chairs and garden furniture, house prices are expected to rise again before the end of the year.

But with that out of the way, the remainder of this article will discuss more on saleability – specifically, key things you should look out for, alongside our saleability quiz to help you determine just how saleable your home is. Exciting, right?

How saleable is your home?

Before we get around to the saleability quiz, let’s discuss the factors that determine whether your home is ready for the market.

All homes are saleable, but to get the best price for your four walls and pride and joy, you may wish to consider the following factors:

  • What is the neighbourhood like?
  • Where is your home based?
  • How big is your home?
  • What condition is your home in?

Keep reading to find out how each factor affects saleability – these aren’t the be-all and end-all (so don’t panic), but they are definitely worth considering.

What is the neighbourhood like?

It’s no secret that homes in nicer neighbourhoods typically sell for more.

People pay more for increased security, peace of mind, better schools, local amenities, and so forth. And who can blame them?

If you live in a nice neighbourhood, your saleability goes up.

And if you don’t live in the best of neighbourhoods, then don’t worry – there are many other factors that will also be taken into consideration.

Where is your home based?

Alongside the neighbourhood, the location of your home is just as important.

Is your home close to a motorway? Do you live near to local attractions? Are you a five-minute drive from the shops but in the heart of the countryside?

The location matters – it massively determines the value and the attraction of your advert or online listing.

Now, you can’t exactly move your home, but understanding how location affects the price and overall attraction is useful.

How big is your home?

The size of your home directly impacts the valuation – how many bedrooms and bathrooms does the home have?

Buyers often pay per square foot, but the price varies massively depending on the location – a four-bedroom home in central London is worth considerably more than a four-bedroom home in the heart of the countryside. Scenic or not, people pay for location.

What’s most important is liveable space – the kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms are also key selling points.

A large modern kitchen will increase saleability much more than an old worn-down wooden kitchen that’s decades old.

Consider a simple renovation before listing your home on the market to further increase value and saleability. We promise, it’s worth every penny!

What condition is your home in?

A home in good condition is usually one that performs well on the market.

Typically, most buyers would rather purchase a home that, well, looks like a home. Add those finishing touches, add a fresh lick of paint and a little bit of love, and give prospective buyers a glimpse into what makes your home so great.

As a general rule of thumb: it’s always a good idea to clean up and perform a few basic repairs around your home (if needed) before seeking a valuation.

That means tidying up those wires, repainting the skirting boards, and fixing that extractor fan for good (come on, nobody likes mould).

A little bit of hard work goes a long way – you can increase the value of your home drastically; don’t neglect those quick fixes and repairs.

Saleability quiz

It’s not just about the physical condition of your home (although this is very important), but the saleability of your home is also heavily tied to:

  • Your estate agent
  • Your brochure
  • Your online advert
  • The price
  • If you prepare your home for viewings

But it doesn’t end there – you need to be in regular contact with your estate agent, your brochure must show the best of your home, you need to dress and prepare your home for viewings and the price must sit within a realistic bracket.

Add all these factors together, and you’ve got a saleable home. It’s that simple!

 

Take the Stonehouse Homes saleability quiz and find out just how saleable your home is below!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vod0m43agh2oxfd/Saleability%20Quiz.docx?dl=0

 

If, after completing the saleability quiz, you did not get the results you were hoping for, then give us a call on 01772 252136 or email us at info@stonehousehomes.co.uk – we’ll get right back to you with further advice.

We’ll provide you with our expert opinion on what needs to be done to secure a successful sale of your home – paired with a bespoke marketing strategy; we’re confident you’ll have success on the market.

Let us help you sell your home – it’s what we do!

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How to prepare for viewings so buyers fall in love with your home

So, you’ve got the ball rolling with the house on the market, and your first viewing is booked in – it’s an exciting time! But the next step is one of the most important when it comes to selling your home – and that’s the preparation that goes on behind the scenes before a potential buyer’s visit. Remember, first impressions count, so making sure you’ve covered all bases when prepping is what will really charm a buyer into putting their offer in.

It can be hard to know where to start – and stop! – when preparing for viewings, but over the years we’ve whittled it down to a curated list of 7 tried and tested tips that will have buyers falling in love with your home in 20 minutes, tops.

  1. Give it some kerb appeal

No matter what, we always recommend that you start your preparation with the spot viewers will see first – your outdoor space. Begin by giving the front garden some basic TLC by trimming the hedges, moving the bins out of sight, jet washing patios and driveways and, if you think it’s needed, reviving the front door with a fresh lick of paint.

Once you’ve tidied the entrance, turn your attention to the back garden by mowing the lawn and adding a few potted plants for a subtle splash of colour. Still think you can do more to prep your outside space? Check out our garden styling tips to add that extra ‘wow’ factor.

  1. Convenience is key

On the day of the viewing, try to make sure that the visitors have somewhere to easily park their vehicle. This is a point that often gets overlooked, but you want to make the visit as smooth and hassle-free as possible for the potential buyer so that you’re instilling an optimistic mindset from the off.

  1. Don’t forget to revamp and repair

At a viewing, potential buyers may open doors, look into cupboards, turn on lights and just generally check that everything is in proper working order. So, making sure that all your furniture and décor looks great and works as it should is key.

Make good on repairs and update any lacklustre décor by filling in picture frame holes, covering marks on the walls, fixing broken cupboards and doors, refreshing the grout in the kitchen and bathroom, and replacing expired lightbulbs.

  1. Style the space

When preparing your home, you really want to highlight all the best bits in the most presentable way – and creating an aspirational lifestyle set-up with a bit of styling will enable you to do just that.

Start by bringing finesse to the dining table with your best serveware; then use strategically placed mirrors to bounce light around the rooms, add fresh towels to the bathroom and adorn the walls with your favourite artworks to create a focal point.

  1. Create that cosy, lived-in feel

Of course, making sure the house is looking spick and span goes without saying, but in the eyes of a potential buyer, you really want to take your home to the next level not just in the way it looks, but the way it feels. An easy way to do so is by creating a well-loved, lived-in feel that’s a real feast for the senses.

We advise bringing welcoming aromas into your house with scented diffusers in each room or, if you’re a keen cook, try out the time-tested hack of preparing a batch of freshly baked goods and letting the comforting scent wander through the house.

If you have a fireplace, set the logs alight to give the living area a cosy feel, and turn on lamps and any accent lighting to create a welcoming atmosphere. If it’s not too cool outside, open the windows to let some fresh air flow through, too. And remember to remove family photographs and replace them with fresh flowers – this will let visitors more easily envisage themselves in your home.

  1. Take pets away for the day

We understand that pets are part of the family, but the people viewing your house may not share the same outlook, and what’s more, they might be allergic. So, if you can, it’s best to let a neighbour or relative look after your furry friend for the day. Before the visitors arrive, it’s also worth airing out the rooms and adding a diffuser or two to neutralise any pet odours.

  1. Speak to your estate agent

Knowing your audience is always a huge help when prepping your home for viewings. Your estate agent will already have done a little background research on who will be viewing your house and would have asked them questions about what they’re looking for specifically. It may be that they’re searching for a space with a fantastic garden or a large kitchen, in which case you can focus your efforts even more on these areas when prepping your home – for instance, try moving furniture around to showcase a room’s spacious potential or create a seating area in the garden so visitors can enjoy the view.

As you’re familiar with the area, it’s also a great idea to offer up more information to your estate agent on all the best parts of your local surroundings so they can pass this on to potential buyers during the viewing. Tell them about the proximity to your favourite shops, the best schools, peaceful countryside walks and hidden gems that others may not know about.

If you have queries on how you can best prepare for a house viewing or have any general questions about marketing your home, then please do get in touch with our team – we’re always more than happy to help! Simply contact us by phone on 01772 252136 or send us an email at info@stonehousehomes.co.uk , and a member of our friendly team will get back to you directly.

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How to use creative photography

Nine times out of ten, where is the first place a potential buyer will see your home? You guessed it – in a photograph! Whether it be online through a laptop screen or mobile phone, or on the street in an estate agent’s shop window, that small viewing frame should be treated as the place to showcase all the best angles of your home and have people longing for the lifestyle they see at the end of the lens.

This, of course, applies to any house marketing photography. But with a high-value home, that features plenty of space and unique aspects, going above and beyond standard imagery will really set your house apart. And that’s where our expertise is on hand to help!

Differentiating your house from the rest of the market with creative and considered expert photography is our speciality. So, we’ve collated our best ideas for how to showcase your home in – quite literally – the best light!

Prep the space 

Any professional photographer knows that before the shutter clicks, there’s an element of house preparation required – and this involves a little help from the homeowner. So, to provide the photographer with a clean slate on which to work their magic, make sure the house is spick and span, both inside and out. In your outdoor area, clear any vehicles and bins out of shot for the day, use a bit of elbow grease on the windows to get them sparkling, and make sure the lawn is mowed and any weeds are removed.

Next, turn your attention to the inside of your house. After tidying the rooms, consider giving lacklustre walls and any worn-out furniture a fresh lick of paint. Studies show that decorating can make all the difference in the eyes of a potential buyer and will add up to 5% more to your home’s value. This is definitely something that a top-quality camera will highlight on screen too, so you can be sure it’s well worth going that extra mile.

Set the scene

Subtle styling and expert photography go hand in hand, especially when it comes to lifestyle imagery. Considered style choices will help to establish that emotional connection between the house and a potential buyer, enabling a thoughtfully framed lifestyle shot to provide a welcoming feel and give people a chance to truly envisage themselves in the space.

So, once the house is prepped, you and the photographer can work together to add a few stylish touches to really give your home a lived-in – but carefully curated – look. Bring colour to the kitchen with fruit-filled bowls, set the dining table with your best crockery, hang fresh neatly folded towels in the bathroom, place fresh blooms in coordinating vases onto sideboards, and cosy up the bedroom with luxurious woven throws and scatter cushions. These style-savvy touches will highlight the real potential of your home in imagery and give it a well-loved feel. For outdoor specific styling advice, visit our garden blog.

 Get the light right

Cold or clinical lighting is something to avoid when it comes to home photography, especially with a sizeable one that might look unwelcoming as a result. So, making sure the mood of the rooms are set to warm and inviting is key. This atmosphere can be achieved with photos taken on a dry day at around dusk to cast a naturally soft and calming glow.

However, we know relying on the weather – especially British weather – isn’t an ideal option! So, you’ll be pleased to know that this isn’t the only way to capture the warm and welcoming look. Today’s post-production technology is your friend in this scenario. With a combination of accent and ambient lighting switched on around your home as well as an arsenal of subtle sepia-tinted filters, professional photographers can easily craft that sought-after early evening glow.

Capture the scale

Framing a shot to reveal the true size of your home is crucial when it comes to giving an accurate depiction of the space – and there are a few clever hacks to capture it. A whizz with full-frame cameras and an ability to experiment with varying perspectives, an expert photographer will have all the necessary equipment to hand to ensure large rooms and outdoor spaces give viewers a real representation of your home’s footprint.

Showing where your house is situated in its surroundings is also a great way to indicate the true length and breadth of your home. So, if you live on a hilltop with plenty of countryside around, or you want to show the size of your garden by highlighting boundary hedges and fences, then elevated photography, perhaps with the help of a drone or aerial mast, is another useful route to take.

Framing shots from a higher perspective will give scale and dimension to your house and highlight your proximity to stunning views or local Amenities that may otherwise not be realised. In the eyes of a potential buyer, elevated photography can take a modest cottage to a rural marvel, or a humble townhouse to the heart of a historic centre.

Show the local area

Location, location, location – we can’t emphasise this enough! When investing in a new home, most people aren’t only interested in the house itself, but also in the place that surrounds it – and rightly so.

Showcasing snapshots of the local area, whether it be well-known landmarks, a quaint nearby shop, pet-friendly parks, walking trails, or picturesque views, now is the time to bring all of these aspects together and paint a picture of what life could be like living in your home.

Would you like to find out more about the specialised photography services we offer? Or are you searching for more advice on how to prepare your home to go on the market? Whatever your query is, we’re here to help! We’re but a call or email away – simply contact us by phone on 01772 252136 or send us an email at info@stonehousehomes.co.uk and a member of our friendly team will be on hand to guide you.

 

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Sell your home at Easter for a Summer Move

Spring is a wonderful time to sell a home – the buds are budding, gardens are springing into life, and a little bit of sunshine makes everyone’s home look better. Plus, buyers have traditionally always started home searching in the spring, and the property portals tell us this is still the case today.

If you’re thinking of selling your home, or your home is on the market right now, you may have some questions about how to make your move a success. Here are some of the questions we get asked at this time of year by our clients at Stonehouse Homes:

“My house has been on the market since wintertime – now my garden is flowering, should I get new photographs taken?”

Winter garden photos can look a little, well, sad. Bare trees and shrubs, bare earth and leaf-covered, muddy lawns can all be a bit off-putting to buyers. So when your garden starts coming back to life, it’s a really good idea to get some fresh and colourful images taken to showcase it to buyers. At Stonehouse Homes we offer new foliage images free of charge to our clients, to make sure their images online are always current and as attractive as possible. Why not ask your agent if they can do likewise?

“If I get an offer now, when should I expect to be moved by?”

Nationwide, the current time from accepting an offer to handing over the keys is around 12 weeks, but this can vary hugely depending on your buyer’s position, finance needed, any complications with your sale and much more. If you have a straightforward sale, no chain and your buyer doesn’t need a mortgage, then you should be moved by the summer, or around 10 weeks. Any complications or chain delays can more than double this, so ask an expert about your specific situation. We’re always happy to offer our advice on timescales and what to expect. Just give us a call on 01772 252136 and let’s have a chat.

“I don’t know how I’m going to keep my house tidy during the Easter holidays! Should I take a break from the market?”

We feel your pain! Selling a house with children off school is never an easy task, but there are some things you can do to help make your viewings successful and stress-free:

  • Encourage (bribe) your children to tidy up and keep tidy. Daily inspections with reward stickers for younger children and cash for older teens usually does the trick.
  • Keep the children out of the house as much as possible, so your home stays tidier!
  • Takeaways or eating out if you have an imminent viewing booked will save you having to clean your kitchen.
  • Resist the urge to do ‘messy’ playtime with the kids if you have viewings arranged – no finger painting, Play-doh or baking!
  • Make sure you’re out of the house for viewings, so you don’t feel stressed – being under pressure to have perfectly-behaved children will not result in an enjoyable viewing, for you or your buyers!
  • If you have a real house-full and really would rather not have to cope with viewings during the school holidays, tell your agent. They’ll be understanding if you want to take a break from the market until the kids go back to school.

“I’m thinking about moving home – is now a good time?”

A great question! We’re sure you’ve heard it’s a ‘seller’s market’ right now, and has been pretty much since the start of the Pandemic. But things are starting to change. More homes coming to market means more competition for buyers, and that creates downward pressure on house prices. We expect prices to remain strong for at least this year, and probably into next year, but we think the days of huge scarcity are now behind us. What does this mean for you if you’re thinking of selling? Well, if we’re right and property prices have peaked, you can feel confident you’d be selling your home at the top of the market. Whatever your situation, selling now when you know it’s a strong market is going to give you a more predictable sale price than waiting until next year and facing an unknown property market.

“What are most buyers looking for right now?”

Some homes are inevitably in more demand than others – our buyers are looking for specific features, like work-from-home space, and often want a home with potential to extend. Bungalows seem to be very popular right now, as are homes with land. Whatever your home has to offer, we’d love to have a chat with you and tell you whether we have buyers registered who are looking for a home just like yours. Just give us a call on 01772 252136 or drop me a line at info@stonehousehomes.co.uk to get the ball rolling.

“I thought this was supposed to be a seller’s market, but my home still hasn’t had much interest. What can I do?”

It’s hugely disappointing when you’re excited to put your home on the market, and no one seems interested. Especially if neighbouring properties are selling fast around you. The three key drivers of any successful property sale are presentation, price and promotion: how well your home is presented to the market, and whether it competes on how modern rooms like its kitchens and bathrooms are; whether the price is competitive and not over-optimistic; and finally, but probably the most important of the three, how your home is marketed. The images, written description and brochure are more important than most people assume, and just improving them can have a dramatic impact on how much interest a home receives. We’ve taken on , styled them and changed the photography, and sold them straight away without changing the price at all! So if you’re not sure if your marketing is really showcasing your home, we’ll be frank, and tell you honestly if it is. Send me a link to your home at info@stonehousehomes.co.uk and I’ll tell you how you can improve your marketing and attract the right buyer.

“Our garden is looking lovely, but it’s still a bit muddy. Can we ask viewers to take off their shoes before they view our home?”

Yes! We always take off our shoes before going into a home, and so we expect the viewers to, too. Carpets with muddy footprints aren’t attractive to buyers, so let’s make sure yours stay clean!

If you have any questions at all about any of the points raised in this article, or you’d just like a friendly, no-strings chat about your house sale, we’d love to help you. Call me on 01772 252 136, email me on info@stonehousehomes.co.uk and let’s get you moving.

 

Karen, proud co-owner of Stonehouse Homes in the Walton-le-Dale

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Wow your buyers! 12 styling tips they’ll love

“Give your home the ‘wow’ factor!”

We’ve all heard this advice from property experts, but what does it mean? And how do you do it? Most importantly, is it worth the time and effort it may cost you?

All good questions, and the answers will be revealed in this article – so let’s dive in…

“What’s a ‘wow’ factor anyway?”

It’s that elusive magic ingredient that turns a home from standard to exceptional; from forgettable to unforgettable; from ‘meh’ to ‘wow!!’

“Ok I get that, but how do I create it in my home?”

Sometimes it’s as simple as adding a lifestyle touch to your kitchen, with a beautiful cake on a pretty stand, surrounded by fruit. Something like this:

Or you may need to spruce up a room by refreshing the décor with contemporary cushions, new furniture placement and some styling touches like flowers and magazines.

Bedrooms can be forgotten and unloved, especially if they’re rarely used, so treat them to some new bedding, a luxurious throw and even some new artwork for the walls.

“Is it worth spending time, effort and money on styling my home if it’s going to sell quickly anyway?”

As I write this, there is a definite scarcity of homes on the market. Homes are selling fast, and often over the asking price. But while today’s ‘sellers’’ market may make it seem that house selling is easy, no matter its condition, spending a little T.L.C. on your home to make it even more appealing is a smart move for two reasons:

  1. When the market turns, your home will still stand out in all the right ways, and
  2. Even in a sellers’ market, you need to be confident you’re not leaving any money on the table and losing out to competitive homes just because they are more attractively styled.

As you can see, styling doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive, and adding the ‘wow’ factor to your home could be simple and fast to do. If you’re feeling inspired and keen to get started, the team and I have compiled a list of 12 simple ways to wow your buyers. Let’s go! 

  1. Make a big, bold statement

To create a ‘wow’ feature, add a special piece to the entryway of your home. A large photographic print, original artwork or over-sized vase will instantly capture attention, pique a potential buyer’s interest and make them want to see more.

  1. Showcase your best spaces

To make a room feel large and open, moving or even removing unnecessary furniture will simplify it. This helps your buyers to make it their own in their heads, imagining how it will look with their furniture and accessories. When rooms are full of furniture, buyers find difficult to see past what’s there and envision your home’s potential.

  1. Romance your buyers

Think: date night. Soft lamps, gently flickering candles, a crackling fire and subtle music playing – these all set the scene for a romantic date, but also for a successful viewing. Buyers buy with their hearts, not their heads, so appeal to their softer side, stir their emotions and make sure they leave wanting more!

  1. Create a culinary experience

So many of us are budding chefs these days with the popularity of Masterchef and Bake-off, so create a mouth-watering experience for your buyers as they step into your kitchen! Try an Ottolenghi cookbook, casually open on the side, with some posh cookware and even posher ingredients, to create the impression that culinary magic is about to happen.

  1. Play it safe in the bedrooms

Bedrooms are no place for strong and vibrant colours, unless you are a professional interior designer, and even then you risk sending your buyers running for their car if your bedrooms are overpowering. Even if you love bold colours, when you’re selling your home, you need to pander to a buyer’s tastes, rather than foist yours on them. So keep bedrooms light and simple. Crisp white bedding with plump pillows, dressed with a throw and some cushions in a subtle shade will give your bedrooms a hotel quality a buyer will love.

  1. Set the table

Why not set your lovely dining table for dinner with your best dinner set? If you don’t want to go the whole hog with silverware and glasses, just add placemats, plates and glasses for an understated look. Add a floral centrepiece and voila! Your home is ready for its House Beautiful debut.

  1. Add colour sparingly and subtly

If you’ve neutralised your home so much it looks bland and maybe a bit boring, it’s time to add some colour. The safest way to add interest is with soft furnishings: rugs, cushions and throws add colour and warmth and can really help co-ordinate a room. If you’re not sure what colours might work, look at high street stores like Next and Wayfair for ideas, and Pinterest for inspiration.

  1. Use mirrors to make rooms feel bigger and brighter

Mirrors are a great way to bounce that light around your home and banish dark corners. Try a mirror instead of a picture over a fireplace or above a sideboard. Mirrors can make narrow spaces like hallways and landings look wider and help open up the space, and they can also transform a tiny bathroom.

  1. Give your dining room table a fabulous centrepiece

The dining room tends to be a place for celebrations, but it’s also a room that can feel a touch bland when it’s not being used. The perfect solution when you’re selling is to lift the look and atmosphere of the room by having a stunning centrepiece that gives a sense of occasion. Perhaps a large bowl of fresh hydrangeas, a tall vase of flowers and foliage (either real or good-quality imitation) or an arrangement of storm lanterns and pillar candles – something that will leave a striking impression on buyers.

  1. Make the fireplace a focal point

Fireplaces are certainly an attractive selling feature, so make the most of them. If you have a working fireplace, make sure the hearth is clean, the fire is always laid and you have a lovely store of logs beside it, ready to light for viewings. And if you can’t or don’t want to light a real fire, why not fill the recess with a selection of pillar candles? That can look really pretty, and even if there’s no actual heat, the flames will give the illusion of warmth.

  1. Bathrooms that wow

In the bathroom, tidy away the products you use every day – toothbrushes, toilet cleaner etc. – and make sure your sanitaryware is sparkling. Add a set of fresh white towels and luxurious toiletries (Jo Malone or The White Company), a room diffuser and a couple of pretty plants, and your bathroom is ready to show off.

  1. Bring your doorstep to life

And let’s not forget the front door. Plain styles tend to work best for contemporary homes, whereas if you have a period home, a red or navy front door can look classically smart. Adding bay trees or shaped conifers completes the look. If you’re lacking in inspiration, google “front doors” plus your type of home. For example, “front doors for contemporary home”. You’ll see pages and pages of beautiful ideas to copy and make sure your buyers are wowed on the doorstep.

As you can see, we’re big fans of styling a home to wow buyers! And we know it works. The homes we sell that have been skilfully styled tend to get more viewings, and better feedback too from buyers.

If you’d like a complimentary consultation on how your home could benefit from being styled – either a little or a lot – we’d love to share our ideas with you too! Just call 01772 252136 or email info@stonehousehomes.co.uk and we’ll have your home wowing buyers in no time.

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Should I sell my home now? How the current shortage affects your home’s price

2021 was a tremendous year for home price growth in the UK – the strongest since the mid-2000s – with many areas and types of home seeing values increase by double-figure percentages. This means a house bought for £500,000 only two years ago could be worth up to £600,000 today!

The huge imbalance between supply and demand, with many more buyers than homes available, has been the key driver behind these extraordinary increases. If you own a unique home and you’re thinking of selling, you have a rare opportunity to sell your home for far more than its ‘logical’ value.

Chicken and Egg 

Across much of the country, the best price rises have been at the higher end of the market. Historically low mortgage rates and a desire for extra space – especially as more people have found themselves working from home – has encouraged many homeowners over the past couple of years to upsize to larger homes.

The biggest challenge with the current lack of homes available to buy is that many homeowners can’t find anywhere to move to, so instead are staying put until that dream home comes on the market. This has created a ‘chicken and egg’ situation where the market is facing a stalemate – no one can move if no one is moving!

What’s likely to happen to prices as we move through 2022?

As more sellers decide to take advantage of current demand and put their home on the market, that increase in supply is likely to lead to slower price growth, with Rightmove predicting that average prices will have risen by around 5% by the end of this year, marking a considerable slowdown in price increases compared to the last two years.

At Stonehouse Homes, we’re already seeing a significant increase in the number of people inviting us to give them an up-to-date valuation of their home. Therefore, although right now, demand from buyers is still far outstripping supply, we expect this gap to close over the next few months.  As this happens, buyers facing a greater choice will be less willing to pay a premium for their next home, even if they can afford to do so.

Getting the right price for your home

Sell sooner rather than later to get the best price. Of course, no one knows what’s going to happen to house prices in 2022, but early indications are that we just won’t see the record prices achieved in 2021. This means selling now will give you a degree of certainty and avoid you regretting sitting tight later in the year when house prices could flatten out. This is especially true if you’re downsizing or selling a second home, when you can best take advantage of the price differential or the funds you could realise in an early sale.

National, and even regional, house price averages are just that – averages. Every area has its own micro-market, and the price performance of different types of home can vary from one village, and even one street, to another. As your local property experts, we keep a very close eye on the details of the market, so we can best advise you on timing and selling strategy, to help you maximise your selling price.

What’s next?

Let’s have a chat about if and how moving on right now could be the right decision for you. At the very least, we can act as a sounding board to help you make an informed choice. And at best, you could realise a life-changing sum of money from your house sale and move on, secure in the knowledge that you captured the very peak of the market.

You can reach us on 01772 252136 or at info@stonehousehomes.co.uk , and I’ll very much welcome the chance to chat through your potential plans.

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New year, new move

The new year encourages many of us to make positive changes in our lives. A popular choice is pledging to do more exercise, while some people might decide to learn a new skill. But if you were one of the many sellers who put their home on the market last year and you haven’t yet found a buyer, this new year you’re probably resolving to get that sale!

 

As estate agents, we find that pretty much every new year brings with it not only a flood of requests from homeowners for valuations, but also a steady stream of enquiries about homes for sale. That means as we make our way through winter towards the spring, the market is usually buzzing.

 

So, how can you best take advantage of this activity and make sure your home attracts and secures the perfect buyer?

 

Here’s our round up of five positive steps you can take right now to revamp your marketing strategy and ensure this is the year you move on and make a fresh start in a new home.

 

 

  1. Take a brief rest from the market

In our experience, a home tends to generate the greatest interest from buyers in the first two to three weeks that it’s on the market. When your home appears as a new listing, buyers who are registered with online portals should receive a link to the details, and your agent should be sending out the brochure to their own database of potential buyers.

 

But after that initial flurry of activity, things often settle down on the viewing front, and we find that the longer your home is on the market, the less likely it is to attract the perfect buyer. As those who have been looking for a new home for a while keep seeing your listing, the fact that it hasn’t sold yet may make it less desirable to them, and you’re more reliant on new buyers who are just starting their search.

 

So, if you’ve been advertising for several months, it could be a good idea to take a break just for a few weeks, in order to reignite interest. Give the market time to move on a little bit – let some sales of other homes that are comparable to yours go through and wait for new buyers to enter the mix – then you can relaunch your home with some fresh marketing.

 

And while you’re temporarily off the market, you can use the time to review your sales and marketing plan with your agent and take some positive actions, beginning with a review of what buyers who have already seen your home have said about it.

 

 

  1. Review feedback from viewings

Feedback from potential buyers who have viewed your home can often be incredibly useful. Finding out what they liked and what didn’t appeal so much helps both you and your agent understand what could be discouraging people from making an offer.

 

For instance, if viewers thought some rooms felt a little dark or smaller than they’d hoped, could you change the lighting or perhaps rearrange some of the furniture to maximise light and space? Or, if the feedback was that certain rooms felt dated or needed some work, would you be prepared to spend a little money on upgrades or redecoration, to help achieve the best possible price for your home?

 

So, discuss with your agent the feedback people have given so far, and if several buyers have highlighted the same points, look at whether there’s anything you can do to change those things and make your home more attractive to buyers. And feel free to contact us for some advice – we’re always here to help!

 

 

  1. Style your home for the spring

Some simple restyling can be a great, cost-effective way to give your home a new look for the new year, and you might be surprised what you can achieve with just a few accessory changes.

 

Pack away any dark-coloured or heavy cushions, throws and rugs – all the touches that helped make your home feel extra cosy through the winter – and replace them with lighter fabrics. Invest in some crisp white bed linen (which will also brighten up the bedrooms in your new home when you move!), and make sure curtains and blinds are well drawn back to let as much daylight in as possible. Breathe new life into each room with freshly cut flowers and leafy plants, and swap large pillar candles and storm lanterns for just a few more subtle, light floral-scented candles. You can also check out the latest issues of home magazines for more current style tips.

 

Finally, think about how the furniture is positioned – could a different configuration make a room feel more spacious and inviting to potential buyers? And don’t forget, you can always ask for some help with this. We know ourselves that it can be tricky to look at your own home objectively, so maybe ask a friend to cast their eye over it and give you an unbiased opinion.

 

 

  1. Ask your agent to take new, professional photographs

Professional photographs can make all the difference to the success of your home’s marketing. Great eye-catching photographs don’t only show what’s in a home, they tell a story and illustrate a lifestyle that really grabs the imagination of potential buyers, making them want to live that life themselves.

 

For example, a professional sitting room photograph might feature a roaring fire and some glossy magazines next to an afternoon tea on the table, conveying a sophisticated, yet warm and relaxing feel. And a bathroom shot might show a steaming bubble bath, surrounded by candles and soft lighting, to give the feeling of a luxurious spa.

 

A photographer who’s experienced in shooting homes for magazines and sales brochures will know exactly how to capture each room looking its absolute best – from the angle and lighting to incorporating the finest lifestyle features into the shots.

 

 

So, once you’ve revamped the styling of your home, ask your agent to have some new, professional photographs taken. Not only will that ensure your images look current and in line with the season, but if you’ve taken a break from marketing, it means you can relaunch with an entirely new portfolio of stunning shots and potentially attract buyers that might not have noticed your home before.

 

  1. Update your brochure

Take another look at the brochure your agent’s been sending out to prospective buyers. Are you happy with the quality, and do you feel it properly reflects the value of your home? It should showcase a desirable lifestyle that will grab buyers’ attention and entice them to view – does it do that?

 

Once you’ve had new photographs taken, your brochure will need updating anyway, so this is your opportunity to make any other changes that could help attract that perfect buyer. So make sure:

 

  • The front cover features a striking photograph of the exterior – we find a twilight shot with all the interior lights on often makes a stunning first impression
  • The order of the interior photos takes buyers on a logical journey through the home, as they might see it on a viewing
  • The written copy has an enthusiastic tone and is full of descriptive and emotive adjectives to capture the buyer’s imagination
  • There is a floorplan that includes room dimensions and the overall floor area and shows the orientation of your home.

 

 

Of course, depending on how your agent responds to your suggestions and how happy you are about your experience with them to date, you may feel it’s time for a complete change of approach with a new agent. In that case, take a look at our blog ‘Thinking of changing estate agents? – Our smooth move guide’ 

 

And if you’re ready to step things up a gear so you can get moving this new year, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch and we’ll be delighted to take you through our bespoke marketing approach and discuss how we can help you achieve a successful sale at the best possible price. Just call on 01772 252 136 or email info@stonehousehomes.co.uk and we’ll get right back to you.

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How saleable is your home? Try our saleability scorecard and see

Selling a home might not be an exact science, but there are a number of factors that will make a huge difference to how successful your sale will be.

Our experience has shown us that homes that sell quickly and for a good price tend to have certain key things in common, so we’ve developed a checklist that we can use to analyse the saleability of any home. We rate various elements of your marketing approach across five categories, awarding up to a maximum of five points for each element to give your home an overall ‘Saleability Score’.

Using our scorecard, you’ll be able to see for yourself where there may be room for improvement in your marketing. Once you’ve identified which areas aren’t as strong as they could be, you can discuss those points with your agent and work together to turn things around so that your home makes the right impact on buyers.

So, if your home has been on the market for a while and perhaps you haven’t had quite as many viewings as you’d hoped, run through our Saleability Scorecard and see how your marketing stacks up. Set aside a couple of hours, and make sure you have your printed brochure and online listing to hand. Think about every question carefully, and try to look objectively at your marketing materials and how your home is presented. Then give your answers in the form of points, awarding from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 5 for each bullet point listed under each element below:

  1. Your estate agent

Communication and feedback are key to helping you understand how the marketing is going and reassuring you that your agent really is doing their best to sell your home. So:

  • Do they call you regularly – at least once a week?
  • Do they accompany every viewing?
  • Do they give you detailed feedback after each viewing?
  • Have they made any suggestions around how you might be able to generate more viewings – other than dropping the price?

  1. Your brochure

Your brochure needs to convey the quality of your home, setting a standard and value before the prospective buyer sees it in person. And the photographs have got to showcase a desirable lifestyle, grabbing buyers’ attention and enticing them to view.

  • Does the brochure fully represent your home – we usually recommend 16–20 glossy pages – and does it have a luxurious feel?
  • Are your photographs professional, and do they sell a lifestyle? The features of each room should be shown in crisp detail, and the images should convey an aspirational feel. In a sitting room, for instance, fires and candles should be lit, fresh flowers put out, and lights switched on to ensure the room looks spacious and bright, but cosy and inviting at the same time. A gently bubbling bath with flickering candles is selling a relaxing and luxurious lifestyle, not just a bathroom. And for kitchen photographs, some fresh baking will bring the image of the room to life and stimulate more than just the buyer’s visual senses.
  • Is the written description enthusiastic in tone and full of emotive adjectives? The copywriter should be conveying a narrative that really captures the buyer’s imagination and makes them want to experience your home for themselves.
  • Does the floorplan include dimensions and the overall floor area and show the orientation of your home?

  1. Your online advert

This is your virtual shop window, and with the possibility of hundreds of other homes appearing in search results, your listing needs to stand out.

  • Does your main photograph grab a buyer’s attention and encourage them to click for more information? We find that a twilight shot with all the interior and exterior lights on can be a particularly striking image and is often the best one to use online.
  • Does the listing have a punchy, eye-catching headline?
  • Is the description concise, while still selling the best features of your home in a flattering way?
  • Is there a good-quality image of the floorplan, and brochure download button available?

  1. The price

If a home is marketed at too optimistic a price, it tends to sit on the market for longer. So you must make sure your home is advertised at a price that both reflects its true value and attracts buyers.

  • Is your asking price a round figure, e.g. £950,000, not £949,999?
  • Does your home appear at the top of a search in your price range?
  • Do you know how your price per square foot compares to that of other similar homes in the area?
  • Have you stuck to your asking price, even if your agent thinks you should drop it?

  1. Preparing your home for viewings

You must do all you can to make buyers fall in love with your home – from the moment they first see it on the market to the end of their viewing.

  • Do you style and tidy the outside – both the garden and your home itself?
  • Do you have fresh flowers inside?
  • Do you dress all the beds?
  • Do you switch on lamps, light candles and have fresh coffee or baking to create a homely and welcoming atmosphere? For more inspiration, take a look at our blog, ‘6 simple steps to prepare your home for viewings’. https://www.stonehousehomes.co.uk/6-simple-steps-to-prepare-your-home-for-viewings/ 

Now, add up the points.

If you have a Saleability Score of more than 80, well done – that suggests both you and your agent are on top of your home sale! Just take note of the areas where you might want to make a few tweaks, and if you still find you’re not getting enough viewings, then get in touch with us.

If you’ve scored between 50 and 80, there are probably quite a number of areas that you and your agent could work on. The good news is, this means there’s every likelihood that if you can just make the right improvements to your marketing, you should be able to attract much more interest and start to get some offers coming in.

However, if you have under 50 points, it’s probably time to consider a full marketing makeover. And if your current agent hasn’t already addressed the various challenges, it could be time to switch to one that’s more proactive and professional in their approach. We would be more than happy to discuss how we can help you with this, so please feel free to get in touch with us at any time.

And if you’re feeling a little disheartened by your result, be encouraged by the fact that there are plenty of things you can do to make your home much more saleable – with the right agent on board. The important thing is that you take action right away. If you don’t, your home will simply sit on the market, leaving it at risk of possibly going ‘stale’, which is likely to reduce your chance of getting a good sale price. When buyers see the same home being advertised in the same way, week after week, it gives the impression that something isn’t quite right. So it’s time to grab the bull by the horns!

The first port of call is to speak to your agent, show them our Saleability Scorecard and find out whether they agree with your ratings. It may be that they have their own ideas about the kinds of changes that could be made and are keen to work with you to turn things around.

However, if you don’t get the response you were hoping for, give us a call – we can review your marketing ourselves and give you our expert opinion on what needs to be done to secure a successful sale. Then, once we’ve visited your home to appraise it fully, we’ll come up with a bespoke marketing strategy that focuses on promoting all the best features of your home and relaunch it onto the market in style!

If you’d like to discuss your current situation and find out how we can help you and your home get the sale you deserve, just give us a call on 01772 252136 – or email info@stonehousehomes.co.uk – and we’ll get right back to you.

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7 Tips to sell your home in winter

If you’re ready to move, you might be wondering whether to put your home on the market now or wait until the spring. Well, although winter may traditionally be a quieter time for home-moving than spring and summer, the market is still very much open for business and selling your home in this colder season does have its benefits.

As those who aren’t in a hurry to move tend to hunker down and focus on festivities, buying and selling activity usually dips a little over the winter period. That gives motivated sellers who push ahead with marketing two advantages:

  1. Although you may get fewer viewings overall through the winter, those who make the effort to look at potential new homes despite the inclement weather, are generally committed buyers who are serious about making offers.
  2. If there is a slight drop in the number of homes on the market, there’s less competition. That means you should get a higher proportion of buyers viewing your home and, with fewer houses for them to choose from, they should be quicker to make an offer if they like what they see!

Remember, even if there’s a howling blizzard outside, the internet is always up and running. House-bound potential buyers will have plenty of time to browse through online listings, and estate agents’ doors and phone lines are still open.

So, if you’re keen to secure a sale this winter, it’s time to revitalise your marketing for the season and prepare to show buyers that your home is a wonderful one to live in – whatever the weather’s doing outside!

With that, here are our top 7 tips to help you sell your home this winter:

  1. Style for the season

Work with the colder weather and shorter daylight hours by styling your home so that it reflects the season and creates a cosy atmosphere.

Refreshing soft furnishings and accessories is a simple way to transform the look of a room, so replace light cushions and throws with heavier fabrics and deeper colours. Pillar candles in storm lanterns cast a lovely light and can make a great focal point on a coffee table, sideboard or kitchen countertop. Winter-scented candles – think cinnamon, spiced pumpkin and orange – can also help create a welcoming seasonal vibe.

Low-maintenance green plants, such as peace lilies and Boston ferns will add life and are easy to look after, and potted orchids should give you long-lasting flowers and just a hint of spring around the corner.

Finally, if you’re wondering whether you should put up Christmas decorations, we’d say yes – as long as they’re not overpowering. Festive décor can add a lovely, cheery feel to your home, but you don’t want to detract from the natural space. So, even if you usually dress every room from head to toe in Christmas trim, hold back a little this year!

  1. Maximise light

Low natural light in winter can sometimes make interiors feel dull, so make sure you let as much daylight in as possible when you have viewings. Pull back the curtains, make sure blinds are fully rolled up and clear window sills of any large objects that might block light from getting into a room.

Another thing to consider is how you could change the lighting to show off the size of each room – emphasising the height in particular can make a huge difference to how spacious rooms feel. Investing in some higher-wattage light bulbs is a simple way to brighten up your whole home, and have plenty of lamps throughout to add a warm and welcoming glow.

  1. Turn your garden into a winter wonderland

With fewer daylight hours for potential buyers to appreciate the outside of your home, install some pretty garden lights to inject a touch of ‘winter wonderland’. There’s a huge range of all-weather options for exterior lighting – from strings of fairy lights for trees and summer houses, to stakes for lawns or borders and spotlights for pathways. And many of them are solar powered, so once they’re up, you don’t need to think about plugs or timers.

If you have a terrace or other outdoor seating area, you could add solar-powered lanterns and why not consider investing in a heat lamp or fire pit that you can take with you to your next home?

  1. Refresh your photography

The best way to keep your home looking fresh in adverts is to ensure the photography is always in line with the season. So, if your current photos were taken in the summer, speak to your agent about updating them.

Have the interior shots taken once the styling has been refreshed for winter, but before you put up any Christmas decorations, as they would make the pictures a little too time specific. And for the exterior, make sure the photographer gets some shots at twilight, with plenty of lights on – inside and out, so your home glows and the garden twinkles!

  1. Stay on top of maintenance

With higher levels of rain and wind – plus frost and possibly snow – you may have a few more jobs to do than usual to keep your home looking its best through the wintertime. But it’s worth doing a daily maintenance check because even if you don’t have a viewing booked, you never know when potential buyers might be passing by to check out your home from the outside.

Three key things to stay on top of:

  • Keep paths free of leaves, snow and other debris
  • Make sure drains are clear so rainwater doesn’t pool or flood
  • When it’s icy, salt the driveway and paths

Also, you may want to keep a close eye on how clean your windows look, as low light can be unforgiving and you want your home to sparkle!

  1. Get set for perfect winter viewings

When it’s chilly outside, you want to welcome potential buyers into your home with warmth on all fronts. So turn the heating up a few degrees ahead of the viewing, light fires and candles for a cosy atmosphere, and make sure every room is well-lit.

Check the garden and other exterior lights are on, so people can clearly see where they’re going, and make sure there’s somewhere to hang up coats and leave umbrellas and boots. If you don’t have a porch or hallway, it’s worth popping a coat stand by the front door – and don’t forget a clean doormat.

A nice touch is to offer viewers a warm drink and even a seasonal nibble – perhaps a mince pie or some gingerbread. The more welcome you can make people feel, the more positive they’re likely to be as they walk around your home, hopefully leaving them with a happy memory of the viewing and your home.

  1. Discuss the festive period with your agent

Find out what your agent’s business hours will be over Christmas and New Year, and make sure you keep them posted on your own plans – any specific days when you’re going to be entertaining or hosting family and friends and when viewings wouldn’t be convenient.

 

If you’re going to be very busy over Christmas, you could simply consider taking a short break from selling for a couple of weeks. The best thing to do is have a chat with your agent and come up with a strategy for the festive period, so you can relax and enjoy yourself, while making sure you don’t miss out on a potentially perfect buyer.

 

If you’re keen to sell and are ready to start marketing your home this festive season, get in touch and we can discuss the best strategy for finding you a buyer this winter. And if you’re already on the market with another agent but haven’t had any offers yet, we may be able to help you secure a sale ahead of Christmas – so give us a call! Phone on 01772 252136 or email us on info@stonehousehomes.co.uk and we’ll get straight back to you.