A few years ago, the Million Pound Property Experiment was the biggest surprise hit to take over the TV screens. Aired over BBC Two, the show was about how two designers, Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan, took a gamble on the property ladder as they bought properties, renovated them and then sold them for a profit.
Most of the advice from the show is inspiring, practical and makes a lot of sense - choose the worst house on the best street, buy into areas on the rise and research before taking the plunge. In between Colin and Justin's spontaneous quarrels and verbose banter, we picked up some pretty neat ideas, too. Here are some tips on how to decorate your house to make them easy to sell:
1. Do those DIY jobs.
You might think that since you are selling your house anyway, you can get away with not finishing those do-it-yourself jobs. Chances are, having those unfinished projects in clear view of the potential buyer is off-putting and certainly a turn-off. It could mean that the buyer has to be the one to complete your unfinished business.
2. Clean up.
Get rid of the clutter around your house. Though potential buyers are not expecting to see a show room, your house must look lived-in but well-maintained. Keep those kid's toys, dog's dishes and dirty laundry out of sight. More importantly, do the effort and make your house clean.. A dirty place is an instant turn-off as nobody wants to live with somebody else's junk. By cleaning up the clutter, your home's true potential shines through.
3. De-personalize.
Getting rid of the clutter also means clearing the spaces of things closely related to the previous owner. This means giving your hobbies and collectibles an early pack-up. Making your home an impersonal space is very important to make the potential buyer mentally-prepared for his move and envision himself (and his belongings) in your home.
4. Appeal from outside.
While you have spent all the effort keeping the inside of your house looking spotless and neat, do not neglect to spruce up your outdoors. Most of the time, would-be property buyers would do a quick 'drive-by' on your property before they even attempt to go inside and inquire. Chances are, if the potential buyer does not like what he sees from outside, he would no longer be interested in the property. Make sure that the outside paint of your house is fresh, the plants are well-trimmed and the front yard is uncluttered.
5. Pay attention to dirt-accumulators.
Kitchen and bathrooms accumulate more dirt and clutter than any other room in the house. These two rooms are hardest to maintain, make sure that these places are spotless and neat. It might be a good idea to invest in some dish towels or a new shower curtain. Oh, and throw away those little slivers of soap and worn-out kitchen sponges, too.
6. Neutralize.
If you have to paint some rooms in your house before you sell it (or if some areas need a bit of beautifying), opt for warm and neutral tones such as beige or cream on the carpets, flooring and walls. Sometimes, you would need a few accessories to brighten the place up. Opt for subtle coordination with a vase, a floor rug or some pillows, rather than a huge hunk of colour. Just to be on the safe side.
With these few easy-to-do tips from a successful property show, you certainly can't go wrong and your house will be off the market in no time.
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Parmdeep Vadesha is a property investment expert and founder of the largest community of property entrepreneurs on the web who buy below market value properties from distressed homeowners facing repossession, divorce and bankruptcy. He writes a monthly newsletter for over 70,000 property investors worldwide - http://www.Property-System.com