First impression count:think first dates,job interviews,nervous questioning at police station after an evil twin goes on a crime spree.And when it comes to selling your home,that goes double:the average buyer has made their judgement within just 30 seconds of entering your property.
And with a Rightmove report finding that new sellers outnumbered successful buyers by two-to-one in July,miserable home-viewing weather and Olympic distractions means even having your property seen in the current climate is a struggle.
Which is why home improvements are important.Making sure your home looks its best is vital when you're trying to sell,but especially so with such a kill-or-be-killed selling market going on.
Just ask Gary'Style'Styles,economics director at housing intelligence group Hometrack.He advises that homeowners spend a little money on getting their property looking tip-top before unleashing it on the market.
"I think most people would advise that,yes,"he says,"particularly in the current climate.Obviously lenders are taking a very close look at properties before they lend any mortgages,so actually having those improvements in place is probably pretty important."
Focus on those first impressions:the hallway is where potential buyers first step into your building,so it needs to be bright and airy rather than cobwebby and Dracula-like.Give the illusion of size with a feature mirror,and,if it's a high ceilinged hall,be brave an install modern ceiling lights.
However,it's not just the hallway that is vital towards making that key first impression:buyers will start to judge a property before they've even set foot on it,by walking through your garden.In the dreary summer we're having,it makes sense to have outdoor lights on hand to illuminate wet paths and gloomy evenings,presenting your outdoor area in the best possible light.
