Kerb Appeal

Location, neighborhood, local crime, pride and relaxation spaces are hugely important factors when buying property.

Rather than let fantastic property features merely ‘make up’ for something they see on the approach to a viewing, make sure they are seen as bonuses compared to other properties.

Start viewings on the right foot by removing issues that are likely to result in a negative mindset before they even knock on your door.

The View From The Kerb  

Fallen leaves, weeds, barking dogs, dog mess and rubbish in the street might not be your responsibility but it may be in your interest to address them anyway.

We often stop noticing things we see every day so start looking out for things that might create a bad impression of the neighbourhood and a false impression of the care and maintenance you give to everything inside your property boundaries.

Consider keeping the street outside your boundaries weed and litter free or and/or communal areas clean & tidy.

If there is a problem with dogs fouling the pavement outside your property,  consider proportionate* options to remove it and/or ensuring dog owners are reminded about their legal responsibility such as asking the council to put small notices on lampposts along the street.

Finishing touches are often considered a measure of pride and the care taken to maintain a property. A well maintained property is less likely to have problems that have been overlooked or neglected.

Likewise an appearance of neglect, no matter how superficial or easy to rectify may cause concern to potential buyers. Even if the insides of the property show a more accurate story of care and pride, buyers may still come to the conclusion a property is “not neglected” instead of “well maintained” if that level of care is always compared to outside ‘neglect’.

Dirty windows, damaged or ill fitting curtains, dust and cobwebs, broken latches, badly hanging gates, overflowing or smelly bins, flaking paint, door bells that don’t work (even if they just need a new battery), an accumulation of junk mail and/or an overgrown grass/gardens are just some of the things that are easily rectified that  can create (an often false) impression of neglect or concern for prospective buyers  – e.g. that a garden is difficult to manage rather than a place of relaxation and joy.

• Fix the things that you can –  e.g. refresh paintwork, cut the grass/hedges, replace anything broken,  keep bins out of sight).
• Add a show of pride – e.g. polish the door furniture (handles, house number/names, letter box surrounds etc) and add some ‘finishing touches’ (plant flowers, door mats etc )
• Plan to maintain the presentation for 5 months or more. On average, it takes well over 5 months before a sale is agreed, contracts are exchanged and buyers are legally committed to the sale.

If you do not live at the property you are selling and/or you are not physically able to maintain the kerb appeal until an offer is made and the sale is sealed, consider hiring an odd job person to do the work for you – an hour a month can make a huge difference to a property’s first impression and the savings you might make by selling an empty house fast and avoiding council tax, insurance and general running costs are likely to make the cost a great investment.