Selling your home can be a stressful time and usually goes hand in hand with looking for a new property. There are many little jobs that need to be carried out, whilst trying to ensure that work commitments are still met and that your family life remains balanced.
Whilst trying to keep all of these plates spinning, you are of course also focussed on securing the best sale price for your property. Renting some storage space during this time could prove to be a sensible move to help reduce the stress levels to some extent and also to increase offers on your home.
Creating a neutral environment
Whilst your property is your home and you may have become attached, it is important to remember that you are welcoming prospective buyers into it. In order to form an attachment to your property they need to be able to envisage themselves living within the space.
This can prove difficult if you have many personal items positioned throughout the house, which can cause a psychological barrier. Removing many of your personal belongings, such as photographs and ornaments, will result in a more neutral environment. Whilst to the owner this may feel alien; potential buyers will feel less intimidated and thus be better able to imagine themselves living in the property.
Research has also shown that buyers are attracted to properties that are decorated in neutral colours, such as whites, creams and beiges. In the event that some of your rooms are decorated in garish shades, it may be a good idea to do a spot of decorating before you put the property on the market. In both instances placing some of your personal items in self storage can go a long way to achieving your goal.
Tidying the garden
Whilst the building is the key factor for buyers when considering your property, the garden will also have quite a significant sway. If the garden isn’t of a suitable size then many buyers will instantly remove your house from their thoughts. It is therefore important to show your garden off to its maximum potential. This of course means cutting away any tress, hedges or bushes that may give the appearance that the garden is smaller than it actually is.
Even if the grounds are quite large, it is still a good idea to spend some time making it look good. The common belief in property circles is that an aesthetically pleasing garden can increase the perceived property value by as much as 15%. As with the inside of the property, your tidying process should include removal of any items that cause cluttering, such as the children’s toy slide or playhouse. Again these items can be placed in storage until you have moved into your new home.
An easy move
Even when you have exchanged contracts on both the property you are buying and the one you are selling, the stress isn’t over quite yet. You still have to negotiate your way through moving day. This can be made somewhat easier thanks to the fact that you have already moved many of your belongings into self storage. It is of course a wise move to opt for a storage facility that is located in close proximity to your new home.
As you have been surviving without these items for some time at your old property; you will not immediately need them after your move. This gives you some time and space to get the essential items in place at your new home. You can then collect your remaining belongings from storage at your own leisure to add the finishing touches.