Leek Life March/April 2014 | Page 26

PROPERTY How to get the best price for your property T he property experts at Hunters Stoke on Trent have given us 10 tips for achieving the best possible price for your home; from a lick of paint to de-cluttering, these tips could help you sell without having to spend a small fortune. 1. First impressions really are essential. If you have a garden, ensure that the gate opens easily, any hedges and lawns are cut and the garden beds are weeded. The driveway should have a good covering of gravel or should be well pointed with no loose flags. Don’t forget that rear garden either; make sure clutter is put away. 2. Give any external doors and paintwork a good clean, if the paint needs touching up, take care to do the best job you can. 3. Some buyers will forgive you for an untidy garden and exterior paintwork, but a good first impression is an absolute must when entering your house. Have the carpets in your hallway and staircases shampooed, or possibly even replace them with a new, neutral, carpet. 4. If you’re selling your house in winter, make sure you put the heating on prior to a viewing. At the same time it’s worth making sure any gas fires and central heating systems have been serviced in the last 12 months by a Gas Safe Registered Heating Engineer. 5. Nothing will distract buyers from your property more than clutter. Clear work surfaces, floors, desks and table tops and where you have lots of trinkets, pack them away. 6. A light and bright home can really lift a viewer’s mood; make sure you draw back curtains fully and replace any light bulbs that may hav H