It’s tempting when the clocks go back (as they will do on Sunday morning) to think that it’s all downhill to Christmas but take our word for it: there’s still time to make things happen in 2020.
It’s mid-autumn and nine weeks until Santa visits – too early for us here at Martin & Co to dust off our Christmas jumpers and reindeer ears.
If you feel the same way, and recent events have prompted you to re-evaluate where and how you want to live, then there’s no time like the present.
Autumn can be an excellent time to sell your home, and with the Stamp Duty holiday continuing until 31 March next year, there is a lot of interest in the Chelmsford property market.
When it comes to selling, some fundamental principles apply all year round: declutter, carry out essential repairs and maintenance and get the price right.
But there are some specific things you can do now to maximise your chances of a good sale. Here are our top tips.
Viewings – Homes always look best when it is light and bright. As there are fewer hours of sunlight in autumn than summer, arrange viewings in the middle of the day, or on weekends.
Lighting – Make the most of the natural light by opening curtains and blinds. Replace light bulbs that are on their way out, and add a few bright, warm table lamps. Don’t go overboard – you don’t want your home to look clinical. Aim for a warm, welcoming glow.
Heating – Make sure your home feels like a cosy refuge, not an Arctic igloo, before any potential buyers arrive. If you’re likely to be out before a viewing, use automatic settings to crank the heating up before a visit. And if you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace, make the most of it by lighting it before a viewing. You want viewers to imagine themselves relaxing by the fire with a hot toddy in hand.
Gardening – Sweep up fallen leaves and cut the heads off withered flowers. Add colour and volume to beds by planting winter bedding plants such as pansies, cyclamens and heather; these work well in pots too. Remove leaves from the guttering.
First impressions – Make sure that the first impression viewers get when they enter your home is a good one – you don’t want it to be damp and musty and smell like a PE changing room. Remove wet boots and damp coats from your entrance hall and put them out of sight.
2020 has been a year like no other for the housing market, with everything screeching to a halt with lockdown and then accelerating when the market re-opened. But with interest rates remaining low, and many people reassessing their priorities, it’s likely to remain busy for some time to come.
Here at Martin & Co, we’re proud to say that in 2020 we’ve helped many people make the next important move in their life. If you’re ready to make a move, get in touch. We’re here to help.
