We buy with our eyes and nothing helps sells a house more than evocative photographs. But when a house is completely empty, how do you sell that all important concept, a lifestyle? Nick Eley, partner at Watsons, can help you.
There are all kinds of reasons why you may need to sell a property that is empty. It may be a new home, you may sometimes have to move out of a house before you sell it and you may be selling on behalf of an elderly relative. The problem is plain walls and floors give no impression to potential buyers as to how you can use the space and in fact an empty room can be quite misleading in terms of showing off room dimensions. And then there are the particulars; no matter how beautiful your home is, without any contents or furnishings, the photographs can look very lacklustre.
We now live in a world driven by image; no more so than with the houses in which we live. Photographs of interiors aim to capture a certain lifestyle which really helps sell the property.
It is for all these reasons that interiors and home staging businesses have evolved and developers often use such services to create furnished show houses. However, the average vendor cannot afford to invest in home staging in this way.
Nick Eley, partner at Watsons, said: “Unlike many estate agents, we at Watsons will advise a vendor if we think that their property does need some dressing to make it more appealing to a buyer. However, we realise that many people do not have the money to use a specialist home staging service and so we will try and suggest inexpensive ways of dressing rooms in order to be able to market them to their full potential.”
One such example is a house Watsons currently have for sale on Cromer Road in Aylsham, for a guide price of £399,000. An elegant Grade II listed, end town house, it had been on the market empty. Mr Eley said: “Interestingly the owners asked if I felt dressing the property would assist the sale, and I had no hesitation in saying a resounding YES!” Beds were put in the bedrooms and in the kitchen, adding a table and laying it for dinner. A few pictures on walls, plants, chairs, cushions and throws just transformed the house and instantly showed it to its very best, resulting in an immediate up-lift in viewings and serious interest.
“When I take on a house that a family member is selling on behalf of an elderly relative, I do say not to clear it as I believe it’s also better for people to view it as a home, with furniture and some possessions to at least give those viewing some idea of scale.”
So, what are the dressing tips you could consider to improve an empty house that don’t cost too much:
So, what are the dressing tips you could consider to improve an empty house that don’t cost too much:
Kitchens – don’t use real food but items that create a feeling that someone is living there like a recipe book open on a work surface, some pot plants or herbs, a bottle of handwash by the tap, a neatly folded towel and tea towel – all which also can add colour and life to a dull room
Dining rooms – ideally put a table in to show the dimensions and lay the table with cutlery, crockery and possibly serviettes and unlit candles, as well as glasses
Sitting rooms – Furniture really shows off this kind of room so place throws over settees and perhaps think of a coffee table with magazines, an open book or a tray with cups or glasses
Fireplaces – Stock with wood and dress with candle sticks or put a basket with logs next to the hearth
Lightbulbs – ideally cover with a shade even if you have to buy inexpensive ones as it makes so much difference to a room not only in the appearance but the lighting
Utility/hall spaces – you can really show off these with hanging a coat or hat on a peg or put shoes or boots neatly on the ground. Add children’s items to convey the possible use as a family house or a briefcase or suit jacket if you want to show it would be ideal for professionals.
Bedrooms – really always do look better with a bed in them to show the proportions and it helps to show that a space which may look small can in fact accommodate a double bed. Always dress the bed with plain white linen which can be inexpensive but add colour with a throw. You can be creative and hang up a dress or put shoes or slippers by the bed and a bedside table with a book or photo in a frame.
For more information on selling your home, contact Nick Eley at Watsons on 01603 751564 (direct dial) or email n.eley@watsons-property.co.uk or see www.watsons-property.co.uk
