Island Life Magazine Ltd November/December 2005 | Page 47

PROPERTY FEATURE

Interior pictures
supplied by Pittis
Estate Agents and
Fox Property

No! So why would you expect someone to
buy your property if it’s looking unloved,
unkempt and rough around the edges? Scary
as it sounds, it may be advisable to consider
re-decorating the key rooms to freshen them
up. You can do this on a strict budget by
opting for a simple re-paint job in light,
uplifting neutral shades, and adding in some
contemporary accessories such as cushions,
lamps, a rug, some potted plants and vases –
which of course you will take away with you

5. Keep it simple
Often, showing your home at its best will
mean you need to de-clutter and
depersonalise. A would-be buyer needs to be
able to imagine their own possessions in
your home, and if it’s over-stuffed with
yours, that becomes difficult. To de-clutter,
contact your local removal company and
organise a storage crate, then go through
your property and remove anything that isn’t
used from day to day. This will instantly
make the property look larger and more airy.
Secondly de-personalise, which may also
mean a re-paint job in more neutral tones if
you have individualistic purple or orange
colour schemes. It may also be a good idea
to have the carpets cleaned, and don't forget
to clean the bathrooms and toilets, and to
keep the windows sparkling. The cost of the
paint and carpet cleaning will be around
£400-500, but this may well make a
difference to the price you can sell for. Don't
forget, we are now in a buyers’ market, which
makes it more important than ever that your
property stands out from the rest.

6. House Dressers
If you do not have the time, or feel that
decorating and re-styling are not your strong
points, then you might consider calling on
the expert services of a house dresser. These
professionals will view your property as a
buyer would, and then discuss with you the
possible ways that your house could be
improved with a budget of around £1,000.
This investment could in some cases achieve
an additional £5,000 on the price of your
property, and in a toughening market may
well be the best way of making your home
more appealing.

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