Sell your house in seven seconds


First impressions count, and the exterior of a house can often convince potential buyers looking for a new home to make an offer.

It takes as long as it took you to read the first sentence of this article – about seven seconds – for someone to decide whether they like a property or not. Don’t let this short-lived window of opportunity be hijacked by an unkempt lawn or a grotty window. Even if the interior of the property is beautiful, chances are people won’t want to see its potential thanks to unforgiving pictures on your estate agent’s website.

But improving the exterior of your property doesn’t have to mean an expensive overhaul, here are a few simple ways to transform a dull exterior.

Garden

If you are lucky enough to have a garden, it is essential to maintain it and keep it looking tidy.

The sight of overgrown grass, weeds and old garden furniture left to rot throughout the year is enough to put anybody off a property.

Keep the grass short and make sure there is a cleared path to the front door. Try to remove any unused garden furniture or children’s toys as they will make it appear messy. Adding some potted plants around the front door is an easy way to add some colour. Just remember to water them because dried, dead plants are worse than no plants at all.

Front door

The front door is the entrance to your home and the first tangible connection a buyer may make to the property. The door should be an insight into what the rest of your home is like; modern and professional, colourful and creative or polished and reliable.

While you can afford to be a little more creative with the colour you choose to paint your door, don’t go overboard. The colour should fit with the rest of the house’s exterior and the tone of the area. A neon pink door will look out of place on a street filled with natural hued doors, for all the wrong reasons. Ensure that it is also finished to a high standard, a badly-painted door with drips trickling down it looks worse than a plain one.

Visibility

We all know how frustrating it is struggling to find a house that doesn’t have a number or a name. Having the house number or property name clearly displayed makes it easier for buyers to locate your house. Not to mention you’ll be doing the postman a huge favour.

They also make great decorations, opt for a high-quality sign with large, clear details. Choose contemporary steel numbers for a modern style or a classically-written house name for a more traditional look.

Conservatory

Conservatories are a great way to extend your property, while adding a wow factor to the exterior of your home.

Make sure your conservatory windows sparkle by keeping the inside and outside clean and ensure that the contents of the room are neat and tidy. The addition of flowers and exotic plants creates a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.