The background
Having lived in their four bedroom 1930s detached home for almost 30 years, the owners wanted to release some equity and buy a ‘lock up and go’ home so they could enjoy their retirement to the full.
However, their initial valuations of around £1m were very disappointing. They needed to achieve around £1.1m which is why they called us in.
Having lived in their four bedroom 1930s detached home for almost 30 years, the owners wanted to release some equity and buy a ‘lock up and go’ home so they could enjoy their retirement to the full.
However, their initial valuations of around £1m were very disappointing. They needed to achieve around £1.1m which is why they called us in.
After receiving the written report, they wanted to project manage the work themselves, but they asked Mo to visit on a regular basis to check they were on the right track and answer any queries they had. When the work was nearly complete, Mo also advised on furniture layout and finally styled the house ready for marketing.
The Changes:
The first task was to clear the clutter that had accumulated over nearly three decades. This was no mean feat. But by systematically deciding what could be disposed of, sent to charity, sold on auction sites or packed up and stored until after the move, the daunting task was successfully completed and the true size of the hallway, reception rooms and bedrooms became apparent.
The Changes:
The first task was to clear the clutter that had accumulated over nearly three decades. This was no mean feat. But by systematically deciding what could be disposed of, sent to charity, sold on auction sites or packed up and stored until after the move, the daunting task was successfully completed and the true size of the hallway, reception rooms and bedrooms became apparent.
The whole house was in need of redecoration so Mo had advised following the current trend for grey, which buyers love. Keeping colours neutral and consistent throughout a property adds harmony and flow, so Mo had also advised a light grey for the re-carpeting.
Continuing the grey theme, the pine bedroom furniture in three of the bedrooms was also painted, producing an end result that was very easy on the eye!
The quality fitted kitchen units were also professionally painted, and by removing the fussy pelmets and struts, and also painting the 90s style tiles, the whole kitchen was transformed.
Further transformations were achieved by painting and re-tiling the two downstairs fireplaces, creating a real focal point for the sitting and dining rooms, and laying engineered oak flooring in the hallway, to create a fabulous first impression for buyers as they entered.
Externally, the property’s kerb appeal was dramatically improved by painting the dark wood front door and adding satin chrome door furniture, plus a large planter and new front door mat to complement it. New shutter-style blinds were commissioned for all the front windows, which are also extremely popular with today’s buyers.
Concluding Comments:
The decorating, carpets, flooring and blinds were where the money needed to be spent; the owners’ existing furniture and furnishings were re-arranged and re-distributed to enhance each room – and a modest amount was spent on accessories for Mo to style it to set the scene.
This was a large project that took just over three months to complete but the owners were rewarded for their commitment; the original estate agents were invited back to re-value the new-look property and all three valued it at £1.1m – for a spend of around £17k, the value of the property increased by £100k.
The decorating, carpets, flooring and blinds were where the money needed to be spent; the owners’ existing furniture and furnishings were re-arranged and re-distributed to enhance each room – and a modest amount was spent on accessories for Mo to style it to set the scene.
This was a large project that took just over three months to complete but the owners were rewarded for their commitment; the original estate agents were invited back to re-value the new-look property and all three valued it at £1.1m – for a spend of around £17k, the value of the property increased by £100k.
