Structural problems, bad smells, clutter, a shoddy entrance and lack of kerb appeal are the main reasons homes fail to sell, according to two TV property experts.
Ahead of the premiere of their new Channel 4 TV show, Can’t Sell, Must Sell on Wednesday, Scarlette and Stuart Douglas have shared some horror stories with This is Money – and told us what they fixed to get the properties sold.
In the first episode, a couple with a beautiful cottage reveal how they have been struggling to sell their home.
Scarlette and Stuart quickly recognised the issue putting prospective buyers off the cottage.
‘They have two big dogs and the property smelt of wet dog. The smell was very, very strong, to the point where you’d walk in and want to walk back out’, Scarlette told This is Money.
‘They had become blind to the smell because that was their norm.’
Getting it sorted: Scarlette and Stuart Douglas with a homeowner on Can’t Sell, Must Sell
The expert siblings told This is Money that each of the 12 properties featured in the show had a £3,000 budget to help them with the makeover.
‘You don’t necessarily need a huge budget to make a change’, Stuart said.
The pair are very keen on kerb appeal and say making small changes can make a big difference in getting a home shifted faster.
Scarlette said: ‘Make sure the entrance to your house is inviting.
‘If you have a long driveway, make sure the driveway is clear. Make sure there’s no rubbish or bins in the way. If it doesn’t seem like you look after the outside of your house, buyers will be minded to think that you don’t look after the inside either.’
Getting the basics, including the interiors, right is also key to securing a quick home sale, as is minimising clutter.
Stuart said: ‘If you want to sell your home, you have to really think about what the general public want.
‘Most buyers want a home they can be proud of. They want a nice entrance, kerb appeal and a good-quality kitchen.’
Lick of paint: Scarlette Douglas knows the importance of getting a property’s interior right
On interiors, he added: ‘Most of the time, painting a wall can make a big difference, as can wallpaper, soft furnishings and plants. Even moving furniture around can make a difference in some homes.
‘You can’t put too much of your own personality into a house if you are trying to sell it. But, the days of just whitewashing the walls or throwing magnolia everywhere are long gone.
‘You can implement a dash of colour here or there and you can be clever with the materials you use throughout your home.
‘You could introduce wood panelling or different types of wallpaper into your home. There are many different ways to be innovative and experimental, and they don’t all cost the earth.’
Different buyers have different requirements, but most buying a house with two or more floors want a toilet available on the ground floor, Stuart said.
Scarlette and Stuart’s three tips to get a home sold
1. Highlight the positives
Always highlight the positive elements of your home to the estate agent selling your property.
Make sure the estate agent knows about them and makes a big deal about them in marketing literature and during viewings.
Scarelette said: ‘Anybody who’s selling their house, knows that house the best.
‘Make sure when you speak to the estate agent, you let the estate agent know exactly what all those benefits are.
‘So, whether you have triple-glazed windows, underfloor heating in the bathroom or a downstairs toilet, make sure the estate agent knows.
‘The estate agent will need to know what makes your house beneficial and stand out from the crowd, particularly among other homes at the same price point.’
2. Get good photos taken
Do not underestimate the importance of getting decent photos taken for promotional materials and online property portals.
Stuart told This is Money: ‘Photos are really important because people will look at a photo and decide immediately whether they want to book a viewing or not.
‘When the estate agents are around with their photographer, make sure that you’re there. Have a look at the photos. Make sure you’re happy with what you see. If you’re not, make the photographer take it again. The pictures will determine how much interest a property gets.’
He added: ‘Make sure you are fully invested in ensuring that the pictures that are taken are the best that they can be.
‘Before the picture’s taken, make sure that the house is tidy, is clean and decluttered. You need to promote your property in the best light possible.’
3. Price your home sensibly
Price matters when putting a property up for sale, particularly if you need to offload it quickly.
Scarlette said: ‘You should always price your property up to sell.
‘Price it to get people through the front door. If you overprice your property, it’s highly unlikely you’re going to get the number of viewers that you need to start making offers, and the only way you’re going to get offers is by potential buyers coming through the front door.
‘If your photos are great and the description of your property is strong, then the price point has to match that. And if the price point is reasonable, it’s fair – you will get people through the front door.
‘It’s always better to get people in and looking than not. You might get two, three, four people that go through that front door, love your house and start bidding.
‘At that point, you’ll probably get more money for your property because there are other people involved. This is human nature – we don’t want to lose out. So make sure that your home is priced fairly and correctly.’
Scarlette and Stuart present Can’t Sell, Must Sell – stream or watch new episodes Wednesdays at 8pm on Channel 4.
