First impressions really do count!
It may be a cliché, but clichés exist for a reason, the majority of them are true and should not be ignored or treated with flippancy.
The front garden, the entrance, the external decoration and the hallway are all of paramount importance in making your house seem inviting and settling, leaving any potential buyers in the optimal state of mind to appreciate what your house has to offer.
Tips and Hints:
Make sure your bell/knocker works
A relaxed viewer will be far more inclined to be interested in your product; subconsciously they will link your house with comfort. You should therefore make sure that from the moment they step foot on your drive they are not allowed to feel awkward or unsettled, starting with a swift response to their arrival.
You must be able to hear your bell or knocker for a speedy welcome and you should not spend five minutes unlocking multiple security locks; security consciousness is obviously sensible, but you do not want to give the impression that you worry about the safety of your area.
Large doormats are a good idea
Keep your viewers feeling at ease with a large doormat; often they will be nervous about treading any muck into your house. Coir mats are cheap, perfect solutions, they may not be the most attractive pieces but if it puts your viewers at ease it is doing its job. If you are concerned about the appearance then it may be worth getting it set into the floor or carpet as a neat solution.
Create the feeling of a spacious home
The hall should be clear of clutter, tidy away any trainers, coats or bags, a hallway that resembles a small obstacle course will put off a house hunter and they will get the impression that the house lacks sufficient storage space.
The importance of lighting
Hallway lighting is often slightly harsh and unappealing when it should be far more soft and intimate. The last thing you want your hallway to look like is a corridor in a hospital; table lamps or small wall lights are perfect to set the right tone.
Create an inviting and interesting vista
If you welcome viewers into your house with all the doors to the rooms off the hall closed then their eyes will be attracted to a dull view up the stairs, or possibly even start to focus on the imperfections of the hall area. Leaving the door open to one of the nicer rooms, this will tempt the viewer in and conjure curiosity.
Utilise any original features
Any original or unique features can intrigue; add interest to your hall and turn out to be strong selling points. Things like tessellated floors or stained glass windows should be celebrated as the focal points that they are, any minor repairs that are needed are certainly worth getting done.
Hall flooring
The flooring in a home can be improved for under £500 but can add as much as £5000 to the selling on price. Running the same flooring from the hall into the main living rooms can give a unified feel and give off the illusion of spaciousness.
Choosing the right flooring involves knowledge of your target market. Young buyers tend to like stripped wood or laminate wood-effect flooring, families appreciate hardwearing surfaces such as coir, sisal and seagrass, whereas older couples might prefer a carpet, carpets should be kept plain though as patterns can make spaces look smaller.
Complete replacement of your flooring can be quite expensive so the best thing can be to work with the flooring you have, tools can be hired to clean carpets or sand and varnish floorboards. Alternatively, if you are concerned about the costs, you can just buy some strong sand paper and hardwearing floor paint.
Artwork and pieces of interest
It is best if any pieces of décor or art do not make too much of a personal statement when you are trying to sell your house to a viewer. They need to imagine themselves living in your space, any details that may distract from this or make it more difficult to visualise can have a negative impact on the ‘feel’ the viewers will have for your property. Artwork and décor should be carefully selected and displayed as a part of a well-defined arrangement.
The front garden
All of the effort on your house could be wasted if your front garden and your houses exterior set a poor first impression. Your exterior walls, windowsills and front door should of course be immaculate and well painted, but it does not stop there, flowerbeds should be weeded, hedges should be trimmed and dirt should be swept away.
It can be worth hiding your dustbins and recycling boxes, as they will automatically take the focus away from the hard work you have put in, especially if you live in an area where the bins have a vivid colour scheme. Alarm boxes can also be quite hideous to look at and it is often there job to attract attention or stand out to potential intruders, it is not however necessary for them to display logos or brand names and so they can be painted over in the quest for a nicer appearance.
It might be worth getting some matching plant pots to put either side of your door or splashing out a little on some small bay trees that can be taken with you when you move. You should also ensure that there is good lighting between the street and your front door, especially if viewers will be arriving after dark.
Trying to make your hallway seem appealing is often an uphill struggle, but it really does pay to make the most of what you have got, along with the first impressions created by the front garden and the entrance, the hall sets the scene for the whole house and should not be neglected.