Selling your home is a big decision, and showing your home to strangers can be daunting. Once the decision to sell has been taken, you will want to move on as soon as possible. A speedy sale can be accomplished with a little common sense and a committed estate agent. Henderson Connellan share their advice.

Following these simple steps will improve the pace of sale and realise a price closer to the asking price.

First impressions

The excitement of seeing the house of your dreams for the first time is a split second emotion. Remember many buyers will drive by the property before deciding whether or not to view. Take pride in the front of your house. Keep a front lawn trim and tidy. An old pathway can be covered with gravel for an instant face-lift. Keep the front gate painted and in good working order. Paint the door and polish any door furniture you have. Matching plants on either side of the door are welcoming and give an impression of grandeur. Get a brand new doormat and keep windows gleaming for maximum light to enter the house.

Create a blank canvas

People need to visualise themselves in the space. Remove very personal items and clutter so that they don't distract from other features in the house. If paintwork is tired, redecorate. A whole new look can be created with colour and key accessories, without great expense. This will give a clean and fresh impression. Neutral colours allow people to see themselves in the space rather than see the décor they want to change. A fourth bedroom may work as a study for you but could be more valuable as a bedroom to someone else.
Kitchens and bathrooms

Some argue that these are elements that sell houses. A small kitchen looks worse when cramped and dingy. Tile paint, new handles and doors and a new floor can transform. Most importantly of all clean and put away items from work surfaces. No one can visualise themselves in a dirty space. Keep equipment and products to an absolute minimum to allow light to give the impression of space. Update lighting if budget allows to create an entirely different look, especially in kitchens for a professional cooks finish.

If you are selling or not investment in your kitchen or bathroom always pays dividends.

Gardens and outdoor space

Same rules apply. Clear away old leaves, dead plants and any rubbish. Paint the fence to give a smart boundary to the property. Present the area as additional living space. Dining tables, chairs and a lawn can show that the space has the distinct purposes that people expect. A mown lawn gives a garden an instant refresh and feeding it will keep it green and lush. If the lawn is tired and mossy consider re-turfing. Knowing the aspect of the garden and how long it gets the sun is useful information to a buyer and shows that it is a useable space. Small and well maintained gardens are often as appealing as a larger space.

Don’t forget to include as much as you can in your HIP pack to make it as worthwhile as possible for a buyer.