Winter clutter that could put buyers off your home

One of the year’s busiest periods for buying and selling property is just about to start. Rightmove research found April is a key month to sell a home, due to the likelihood of completion, quicker than average time-to-sell and the motivation to be in a new home by summer. We’re also looking ahead to May, when the double dose of Bank Holidays tempt potential purchasers out on viewings.

Buyers make quick judgements so you’ll want your home to catch the eye for all the right reasons. There are some winter hangovers that could put buyers off so if you notice any of the below, now is the time to tidy up and transition to a new season.

Christmas lights: We know it’s sometimes easier to leave those painstakingly-hung Christmas lights around your roofline but if you’re selling outside of the festive season, it’s best if they come down. As well as feeling ‘just wrong’, a string of icicles flapping about in the breeze may suggest the owner is rather lackadaisical in their approach to property upkeep.

Sandbags: the Met Office recently revealed some parts of the UK have had their wettest winters ever and we can forgive homeowners in flood risk areas for keeping sandbags close at hand. While they should still be accessible, you may like to store them in a more discreet location while your home is on the market. That said, sellers are duty-bound to disclose past flooding as part of Material Information. Where you position sandbags is more about aesthetics than trying to hide the reality. 

Fallen leaves: autumn’s blanket of richly-coloured, crisp fallen leaves don’t stay that way for long. Wet weather will have turned them into a sludgy mess and winter winds may have whipped them into messy piles. Buyers will want to feel a sense of optimism when they view your home, not be reminded of seasons past. Sweep up fallen leaves from front and back gardens, driveways and balconies, and clear debris from gutters and drains at the same time.

Dead plants: nothing says ‘overlooked and unloved’ more than wilted foliage and faded flower heads but that’s exactly what buyers will see if you haven’t allocated time to tidying up your garden. The problem can be two fold. Summer annual plants die in the autumn and don’t grow back, so these plants need whipping out. Perennial plants grow back every year but they may need pruning to remove dead material. Consult a gardening handbook or website such as the RHS, and use your time outside to also remove weeds.

Overly-cosy accessories: we usually experience an increase in people booking viewings in spring as the days are warmer and longer. Buyers will arrive with a sense of lightness and this should be reflected in your home. While cosy feels right during the depths of winter, heavy blankets, chunky throws, dark colours and curtains that are always drawn can feel oppressive in spring. Switch to lighter colours and fabrics, keep blinds up and curtains open, and although it’s a cliché, a vase of flowers will provide a seasonal focal point.

We’re here to help buyers successfully launch to market. Contact us for an up-to-date valuation and home presentation advice.