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How to Prepare your Edinburgh Home for Sale
It is possible to sell your home more quickly and for a higher price if you complete a few small tasks before marketing it for sale.

Selling an Edinburgh home

Prior to mortgage rates increasing, property was sold very quickly in Edinburgh and often for a large amount over the asking price. However, even then, the properties that were well maintained, clean and decorated nicely were sold faster and for a higher price.

Edinburgh remains a buoyant market this year, however, with people having to pay more for their mortgage, they are waiting a little longer for their perfect property.  If they will have large mortgage payments to pay, they don't always want to spend much money refurbishing or decorating their new home. 

Before putting your home up for sale, we recommend doing a few things to make it more saleable. You want a few people to be interested in your home so that they act fast and bid higher to get a new home.

How does the exterior of your home look?

First impressions always count!  If the outside of your home doesn't look clean and welcoming, the buyer may just drive on to view another property and not even venture inside. Even if you live in a block of flats and aren't responsible for the area around the front door you should pick up any litter outside and make the block of flats look cared for. If you live in a house or main door flat, then ensure your home looks welcoming clean and tidy.  If you have a front garden ensure the grass is cut, the weeds are removed and any plants and shrubs look tidy.  

Next, stand back and have a look at your building. Does the paintwork on the front door need a touch-up?  Are there any roof slates missing or broken or is there a gutter dripping?  Take time to repair all these small problems so that your home is looking its best. 

Prepare the interior of your home

When a potential buyer steps into your house, they should be presented with a home that smells fresh and is clean and tidy.  On a nice day you can leave some windows open but if it is cold outside, then air your home before the viewing.

Before you get to that stage, you need to prepare your home for sale. You want all the rooms to look as spacious as possible, so tidy up and remove all your clutter.  You may love your huge collection of ornaments and not mind having your children's toys lying around the living room but a stranger will love it more if it is uncluttered and looks like there will be loads of space for their belongings.

Carry out all the small maintenance jobs that you have been meaning to do for ages. Some people don't do this believing the next owners will be decorating anyway. This is true but torn wallpaper or marked paintwork can make a home look uncared for and a buyer may start to wonder what problems there are that they can't see. You want a potential buyer to fall in love with your home, not just see problems.

When the viewers arrive to view your property make sure your home is warm if it is winter. They will want to know that they will feel cosy in their new home. 

For advice on preparing your Edinburgh property for the market and a free pre-sale valuation please contact ELP Arbuthnott McClanachan's estate agency department and we will be delighted to help you. You can also view our current houses for sale in Edinburgh and you will notice that you will find yourself drawn to the homes that have been well-prepared for sale.