How to prepare your home for viewings this summer

Summer lends itself perfectly to property viewings and to preparing your home. Here’s how to make your property as appealing as you can to set the scene for potential buyers and create those all-important good first impressions.

Make your home appealing at first glance  

The front of your home is typically what prospective buyers will see first, so it must look the part. Use your phone to take pictures of anything that needs attention, whether that’s weeding, trimming bushes, cleaning window frames, or repainting the fences and the front door and create a checklist of quick fixes. Making the most of your home’s kerb appeal will help you make the most of its value, so pay attention to the details. Creating a pleasant pathway to your home should be the beginning of a captivating viewing. 

Create clean, decluttered well-lit rooms  

Tidying away clutter from kitchen worktops and organising books, clothes, blankets or toys from the sitting room and other rooms will make them appear bigger. Deep cleaning your bathroom and kitchen instantly creates the right impression. Drawing back the curtains, checking light bulbs, and allowing light to flood your rooms will accentuate feelings of space further. 

Conduct garden improvements that don’t cost the earth 

During the summer, outdoor cleaning is as easy and important as indoor cleaning. Trimming your grass and bushes, tidying away the toys, and weeding have a huge impact. Jet washing patio areas and revarnishing decking are also tasks that can make the world of difference. You may also consider making your garden more beautiful by planting a some vibrant new plants to add a pop of colour. Adding a bird bath or arranging outdoor dining areas in view of nature will show off your garden’s true potential.  

Focus on fixing any blemishes  

Broken tiles, blemishes in your paint work and scratched skirting boards may not seem like much in themselves, however, if you keep on top of the small details, they will add hugely to the aesthetic appeal of your home, especially when combined with the rest of your preparatory steps. Then, as potential buyers take in each room, they can do so without being distracted by unsightly issues that may distort their perspective on the space. Taste is subjective, but repainting walls, particularly if you have spare paint stowed away, may be worth considering.  

Add finishing touches to make your home inviting 

Now that you have cleaned, decluttered, and perhaps carried out a spot of redecorating, don’t be afraid to add some finishing touches. Often, it’s just a matter of re-arranging what is already there. Arranging your furniture by taking a step back and taking in your rooms objectively with a critical eye is important. Finishing with homely items, such as placing decorative cushions on the bed and flowers or candles on the table will create lived-in and attractive qualities in equal measure. All of this will help you achieve your home’s true potential value, which will help open the next chapter of your moving story.  

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Today marked a historic moment as King Charles III delivered his first speech, outlining the government’s priorities for the upcoming year. Among the key announcements were significant reforms impacting the rental and property sectors. Let’s delve into the three major takeaways that should be on every letting agent and landlord’s radar.

 Renters (Reform) Bill: A Balancing Act

The speech reiterated the government’s commitment to the Renters (Reform) Bill, signalling a renewed focus on the rights of tenants and the concerns of landlords. A notable highlight is the pledge to abolish Section 21, commonly known as “no-fault evictions,” a commitment that has been in the spotlight since the Queen’s Speech in 2019.

However, the timeline for implementation remains uncertain. The King’s Speech provided no further clarity on the criteria and deadlines for the significant court process reforms required before Section 21 can be abolished. Letting agents and landlords should stay vigilant for updates, as these changes will reshape the dynamics of the rental market.

Leasehold Bill: A Path to Fairness

King Charles III emphasised the government’s dedication to making homeownership more accessible by introducing a Leasehold Bill. The proposed reforms aim to streamline the process of buying the leasehold of a property and alleviate the burden of “punitive” service charges.

Estate agents need to monitor the legislative landscape, anticipating reforms such as simplified procedures for leaseholders to purchase the freehold or extend their leasehold. The introduction of a cap on ground rent at 0.1% of the freehold value could transform the leasehold market, while changes to ownership requirements may lead to a future where all houses are sold as freehold.

Net Zero and Energy Efficiency: A Green Commitment

The government’s unwavering commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2025 is a pledge with broad implications, including significant changes in the property sector. King Charles III expressed the government’s desire to “safeguard energy independence” and invest in renewable energy sources.

For landlords and homeowners, the initial requirement to upgrade properties to an EPC C rating by 2025 on new tenancies, and 2028 for all tenancies, faced a revision in September 2023. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the relaxation of these targets, relieving landlords and homeowners from the original deadlines. However, the commitment to energy efficiency and the transition to renewable sources remains a focal point in the government’s agenda.

As we navigate through this new era under King Charles III, the landscape of the property market is set to undergo significant transformations. Letting agents and landlords must stay informed and adapt to these changes to ensure a smooth transition into a more tenant-friendly, fair, and sustainable future.

 

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