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Declutter to sell

Catherine Deshayes

It may not be the most groundbreaking tip for sale success, but according to 45 per cent of respondents in a new National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) survey, having a flutter with the feather duster and ridding your house of needless junk is the best way to improve saleability...

This, they emphasise, is not to suggest that the value of your property will increase through the act of de-cluttering, but your chances of a sale are likely to improve.

First impressions continued to feature strongly, with 22 per cent of agents declaring a new tone of taupe or fresh roll of wallpaper could do wonders when it came to getting buyers to part with their cash.

And the importance of presentation extended to the exterior of a property, with 10 per cent claiming it was the external appearance that carried the most clout when it came to selling houses.

Furthermore, 96 per cent of agents agreed that the garden was a key feature in the overall appearance of the outside of a property.

Peter Bolton King, Chief Executive of the NAEA, says, "It is the little things that can make a difference when wanting to make your home easier to sell. 

"Concentrate on the presentation of the home - clear the mess away and have a dust and vacuum of the place. 

"Make sure the garden is presentable and that the lawn is freshly cut and there are no weeds, and adding coloured plants and pots can make a real difference. Landscaping is also crucial and decking remains a popular feature," adds Mr Bolton King.

Source: NAEA