People say that buying or selling your home is one of the most stressful things you can do, but it doesn’t have to be that way. For a start, if you massively downsize and simplify your life so that it reflects who you want to be, then it makes moving that much easier. Sell, donate or recycle your clutter, bin the rest and use the money made by investing in a few items you would like to take with you, so you don’t have the stress of a ‘big clear-out’ on arrival at your new home.
For either moving in (or for people replacing you moving out), read how to make your garden safe for pets to know dangers including toxic plants, mulches and slug pellets. Also don’t face indoor plants to foliage outdoors, to help stop birds flying into windows.
It’s much simpler to sell your home once it’s free of clutter and too much furniture, and had a good deep-clean and refresh paint job. Programs like Ann Maurice’s The House Doctor did indeed sell houses very quickly, if they’ve been on sale for months, simply by using a little common sense (not much money needed) to sell homes that you need to sign away quickly, for whatever reason.
What you want to do is ‘depersonalise’ your home but still retain the furniture and a nice ambiance. Finish DIY jobs and clean windows, then air throughout (fresh air, not air freshener).
should you use estate agents?
The jury’s out on this one, as most make thousands simply by taking a few photos and measurements, then slapping your home on Right Move, where nearly everyone looks. Having said that, they do show people around and most only charge if they sell (don’t go near online estate agents that rope you into paying a set fee even if you don’t sell your home). If you’re going to sell online, Strike has better reviews than most. It’s not really an estate agent as it’s free, but makes money by mortgages, hosted viewings, surveys and moving services.
