Now that Christmas Day is done for another year, it's time to spend the rest of your holiday planning and executing some winter projects.
If you currently have a property for sale, then you might as well spend your time and energy working on the house. With an uncertain market ahead in 2008, the more you can do to make your home attractive to potential buyers, the quicker it's going to sell. And that means you'll be in your new place a lot faster!
Here are a bunch of ideas for projects to keep you busy for the next week.
Fix the things you've been putting off: We all do it... make a list of little things that need fixing around the house, but never get round to dealing with it. Well, when you have a property for sale you need to fix these things. While presenting your home to potential buyers, you want to take away any distractions that will stop them imagining what it would be like if they actually lived there. So deal with the squeaky floorboards, get some new washers into dripping taps, and use a spot of oil on noisy door handles. It can be hard to spot these things in your house because you see them every day. So ask a friend to come round the house with you and point out what needs fixing! Sounds like a crazy idea, but they will look at the maintenance of your house in the way prospective buyers will.
Have a huge clear out: One of the worst aspects of looking round a property for sale is other people's clutter. You're trying to imagine what it would be like if you lived there, but all you can see is evidence of someone else's life! I'm sure you've experienced that while examining property to buy yourself. So take a good hard look round your own house. The first step is to clean and clear (and don't forget to recycle anything you don't want, or take it to a charity shop). Next you should look at removing more of your belongings from the property for sale. Store it in the garage in boxes ready for the move, hide it in the loft or even hire a small nearby storage unit.
Review the outside of the property for sale: First impressions count - what will buyers think when they first see yours? Give your windows a thorough scrub and consider painting any woodwork. At this time of the year be sure the wood is totally dry and prepared properly, otherwise your paint work will need re-doing in a year's time. Make sure the garden is tidy and looks easy to maintain! And if you have children, hide their toys away in the shed.
Ensure the house matches the lifestyle: You need to change details in your rooms to paint pictures about how your house will be used. Pitching your property for sale at a professional couple? Then keep it clean, clear and modern. Demonstrate how a spare bedroom could be an office. Whereas if you are pitching your property as a family home, you need to demonstrate flexible space within the house and how the garden is safe for children to play in.
Make it welcoming: As a stranger walks into your house, what greets them? A dark hallway and musty smell? Or a fresh-smelling light and airy home? Use this Christmas break to give your property for sale a good airing and maybe a lick of paint. When you have viewings get some fresh flowers in the house - they'll look beautiful and might just help your property sell more quickly.
