As we all know moving home can be hectic. Whether you’re doing it for the first or 15th time it’s always useful to learn a new trick that can help to smooth your path.
Having helped more than 4,000 people find their dream home in the last year alone, the team at British builder Redrow Homes knows a thing or two about moving home. They have compiled their top “moving hacks” to make life easier.
Five hacks for dressing your house to sell
1. Define your rooms
Rooms are more appealing to buyers if they have a specific purpose. Make sure each room is set for its designated purpose. If it is a wo-bedroom house make sure it is just that, as bedrooms add more value to properties than studies or store rooms.
2. De-clutter and clean
Clutter can make your home seem small and disorganised so de-cluttering will help buyers to visualise how the house will look when they’ve moved in. Minimise lotions and potions in the bathroom, put excess clothes away, thin out books on the bookcase and clear surfaces in the kitchen. Then it’s time to give everything a thorough clean and light some scented candles to make your home even more inviting.
3. Natural colours
Most buyers prefer natural colours to bold tones as they can make a room feel brighter and more spacious. Splashes of colour can be added with accessories and the right lighting can also help to enhance the space.
4. Make an impression
As we’ve said at Dot Property Group many times before, first impressions really do count. You can maximise your home’s kerb appeal by making sure there is no litter in the front garden, pathways are clear and the front door is painted. Plant pots can add a splash of colour and you can always take them with you when you go. The hallway is equally important – a mirror can make it look bigger and create that wow-factor as people cross the threshold.
5. Do those DIY jobs
If there are do-it-yourself jobs that you’ve been putting off for ages, start working your way through them. Dripping taps, broken blinds, peeling paint and squeaky hinges are all off-putting to buyers and can be fixed quickly and easily.
Five hacks for packing and moving
1. Separate the essentials
Pack an overnight bag for each family member and use a clear plastic box to keep your daily essentials together (kettle, mugs, teabags etc) so you can access them easily during and after the move.
2. Label, label, label
Buy a pack of parcel labels in different sizes, colour-coded if you’re really serious, and label every box with the room and main contents. You can also use labels on chargers and cables to remember what goes with which device, as well as labelling items that are to be donated to charity, binned or sold.
3. Invest in good boxes
Decent boxes can be used time and time again, folded down or used to keep your loft tidy. So buying good quality boxes is always a solid investment. You may even be able to source these for free from shops but make sure they’re strong and not too large otherwise you won’t be able to move them once they’re full.
4. Save bags of time when packing clothes
Save time when packing your wardrobe contents by keeping all of your clothes on their hangers and placing a tie top bin bag over the bottom. You can then tie the tops around the hangers and your clothes are ready to be hung up as soon as they are in the new house.
5. Ask your friends and family for help and offer a ‘reward’
While moving can be stressful, having friends and family to help can actually make it fun. And if you sweeten the deal, perhaps with the offer of a takeaway at the end of it, you may find you have even more willing volunteers.
Feel free to leave your own moving hints and tips to help others with their house move. We know they will be appreciated.
