Four things that impress buyers

An attractive, well-maintained garden is likely to appeal to buyersThe aim of any seller is to wow every single buyer that walks through the door. An impressed buyer is one that will want your house, and one that will probably be willing to pay a decent price. That said, many sellers struggle to impress people who walk through the door, and end up filled with frustration when they fail to receive any offers.

This can be incredibly disheartening when you’re itching to make a new start, but thankfully it can be easy in many cases to solve the issues causing buyers to turn away. By making a little investment and making your home more attractive to buyers, you can increase the chance of getting an offer.

Here are four of the top features that impress buyers:

Lighter interiors
Dark houses automatically turn off buyers who, after all, have to consider whether they can live in the property. By opening windows, taking down drapes and blinds, cleaning windows of dirt and generally opening up the property to natural light, you automatically make a good impression on buyers. Natural light has been proven to make people happier overall, so blending a fashionable and clear interior with lots of natural light is a great way to make the right first impression.

Curb appeal
Many buyers make a decision about a property within seconds of getting to the front door. That’s why it’s important to create positive ‘curb appeal,’ or the ability of your property to attract interest before a buyer has even entered. This could mean repainting the peeling front door, fixing loose paving slabs and clearing weeds and leaves away. Take good care of your property’s exterior and it’ll do the job when potential buyers turn up. You can even add extra touches, such as hanging flower baskets, to really give the right impression.

A realistic price
Many homeowners put their house on the market at the higher end of the price bracket, thinking that if it doesn’t sell they will be able to bump it down. This may be a good strategy depending on the ability of your house to attract buyers but research shows that many people significantly overvalue their house. The important thing is to price it in relation to other similar properties – i.e. three bedroom terraced houses – in the area, so that it can compete successfully for buyers’ attention.

Decluttered interior
When a prospective buyer inspects a property, they instinctively imagine if they could ever ‘feel at home’ in the place. If your property is littered with family photos and personal items it will be difficult for any buyer to think about the house in this way. Before a viewing, make sure you clear away your personal belongings and any messy items, leaving behind the bare minimum of furniture so that buyers can really get a feel for the place.