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 Call
in the stylist!
A
home that has been professionally restyled will lead the eye to
attractive features while minimising its flaws. At the very least a
property stylist can help you visualise improvements. Anita
Richardson, founder of House Wow! has run her own design, home
staging and show home business for a number of years. She has some
useful advice: " Most of us will redecorate when we move in. If
the vendor has already done it (and to your taste) it's a
bonus. If its not to our taste however, buyers feel they are
paying for something they will change anyway.
"Buyers
walk around to view a property, taking in the whole environment and
looking at the possessions and furniture. Often years of collected
treasured possessions, photographs, sentimental ornaments and
souvenirs create a blur in a viewer's mind of a home for someone
else - not them. The layout of rooms may be dictated by too
much furniture.
"
The lounge in this house (before photo above) had furniture the
owners didn't require in the next house - so we helped them choose
what to get rid of. The fireplace was made appealing by adding
accessories and changing the picture for a mirror. The whole
area was de-cluttered, a plant adds to the fee-good factor on a property
tour (after photo).
"Many
years of collecting kitchen paraphernalia can mean that items won't
fit in cupboards anymore. so its time to decide what you
really need. Leave on worktops only those items that are
visually appealing rather than functional - store the mixer and the
saucepans out of sight.
"New
floor coverings are more important to the buyer than
decorations. Plain carpets in a mid-beige twist pile and
marble-effect cushion flooring in kitchens and bathrooms add space
and light and most buyers' possessions will co-ordinate with it.
They are acceptable starting points." House Wow offers an
initial assessment and advice with recommendations and full
quotation in writing for £ 95. www.housewow.co.uk |
