How To Prepare Your Forest Hill Home For Post-Lockdown Sale

At Hunters Forest Hill, we are currently operating, and we are here if you need any assistance or guidance regarding the local property market. While we appreciate many people are keen to delay any property moves until there is more certainty in the market, we also know many people are looking to move as soon as they can.

There are many reasons why people move home. Some of these reasons, such as a change in work circumstances, a change in personal circumstances or people deciding it is time for a change, leave people feeling it is best to move sooner rather than later. If you find yourself in this position, we can help.

Very early on in lockdown, the Government issues advice for the housing market. At no point in the lockdown period has the Government instructed the housing industry to stop operating. The Government has issued guidance, and we are following all social distancing measures.

However, even if you aren’t looking to move immediately, the lockdown process might have you thinking about your next move. If you have more spare time at home, you might be using this time to review your options, and it might be you have a genuine opportunity to move to a new home.

Also, if you have been spending a lot more time at home of late, you might be in the mood for a change. These are all valid reasons, and if you want to be ready to move home after lockdown ends and when the market starts moving forward again, we are here to help.

The chart below indicates the average price paid for property in the past 12 months in Forest Hill, the SE23 postcode and London (according to Zoopla figures):

At Hunters Forest Hill, we aim to provide the best standard of service to all our clients. We are pleased to say we have assisted many local homeowners place their property on the market. We aim to help buyers and sellers connect, and if you are looking for guidance on this matter, we are here to help. If you want to know how to prepare your Forest Hill home for post-lockdown sale, we have tips for you.

Make changes which offer short and long-term benefits

While it is helpful to think about the longer-term impact of changes, you should always think about the short-term result. Dealing with the coronavirus pandemic is challenging, and we would not recommend making changes which harm you in the short-term. However, there are changes you can make to your home which provide you with benefits and enhancements now, that will also help you sell your home.

All homes can benefit from more space, and this is undoubtedly the case in 2020. When you declutter your home, you create space, which makes this the perfect project for many households right now. A lot of people like cleaning and clearing space as it boosts their mental well-being. Therefore, if you need an energy boost or you wish to feel more positive, decluttering is an excellent idea.

In the process of selling your home, there are three key reasons why decluttering is a priority:

·         When you create more space, you make the property seem more significant, and this helps attract more buyers to the home

·         After you have decluttered the property, it is easier to clean, and this makes a massive difference in connecting with likely buyers

·         Decluttering a home helps to minimise the personalisation around your property, which allows the buyer to imagine themselves living in the house

All these outcomes have a positive impact on the sales process and can help you sell your home.

During the lockdown, be mindful of how you will dispose of your unwanted items. With most charity stores temporarily closed, and many local council tips and refuse centres closed for now, you might be limited in where you can store these items. Retain them safely as best as you can, and hopefully, it will not be long before these items can be disposed of.

The chart below indicates the average price paid for property in the past 12 months in Forest Hill, Brockley, Peckham and Dulwich (according to Zoopla figures):

Deep-clean your house

It is likely many people and households are placing greater importance on hygiene right now. By deep-cleaning your bathroom and kitchen, you create short and long-term benefits. You will feel more confident and happier about the cleanliness of your home, and prospective buyers will love the look of a gleaming kitchen and bathroom.

There is a wide array of cleaning products to choose from, and you can create potent mixtures through the use of products like baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice. Cleaning a bathroom and kitchen requires a lot of scrubbing, but if you allocate time to the process, you will be rewarded with a home that makes you feel welcome.

This is also the impact you want prospective buyers to have, so dig out your rubber gloves, and prepare to clean your home!

You should also focus on your garden or exterior area

If you have a garden, you are likely spending a lot of time in this space right now. Rather than just relaxing or sunbathing, allocate time to tidying your garden, and creating a sense of order. Plant colourful flowers, and make sure you power-hose paths and walkways.

Even if you don’t have a garden, you will likely have an exterior area. Make sure this space is clean, welcoming and creates a positive first impression for prospective buyers.

At Hunters Forest Hill, we know selling property is challenging, but we are here to assist you in the process. If you aim to buy, sell, let your home or rent property, we are active in New Cross, Peckham, Dulwich and Brockley, in addition to Forest Hill, so get in touch with one of the top three agents in London, and we will be happy to assist you.