Looking to sell your property? Doing so may seem like a challenge, particularly if you are unable to identify the flaws. Last year, however, a study by Anglian Home Improvements concluded what potential buyers look for and notice when viewing your property.
The innovative study used eye-tracking technology to identify what it is that people look out for when viewing a property. The study also demonstrated how mess and clutter can be distracting for potential home buyers, leaving them with less incentive to buy. These are the things you should think about if you want to sell your property.
You can’t sell your property if there are messy distractions
Those who took part in the viewing did so whilst wearing eye-tracking glasses to see what grabbed their attention. Though 27 per cent of their attention was focused on the furnishings and decorations, almost a quarter (24 per cent) took note of the clutter and mess around the home, and only 4 per cent of those viewing the property paid attention to the layout of the house.
Clutter and mess was the most distracting for females, as 28 per cent took note as opposed to 20 per cent of men. Nearly one in five of those who were viewing the house spent time looking through the window. This goes to show that keeping your window views up to scratch is essential If you want to sell your property.
Personality makes a big difference
If you want to sell your property, tidiness is key. The results of the study demonstrated that even when the potential house buyers did not mention the mess, their eyes were still drawn to it when panning a room. In terms of looking at the structure and features of the room, 32 per cent of men took note, compared to only 22 per cent of women. However, 16 per cent of women focused their attention on personal items, such as photo frames, decoration and furnishings, as opposed to 13 per cent of men.
As well as clutter and mess, personal items seemed to consistently draw attention of participants, with family photos being the focus, demonstrating that elements of personality can affect the chances of selling your property. The data demonstrated that the house hunters often made eye contact with specific photos, distracting them from other elements in the room.
If you want to sell your property, look from the outside in.
It is just as important to pay attention to home exteriors if you wish to sell your property, as the study showed that the outside of the house was also taken into consideration by viewers. The exterior and garden was noted by 22 per cent of participants, and 17 per cent spent their time looking outside through the windows. This shows that you should always be sure that the exterior is as in good condition as possible if you want to sell your property. This means gutting the drains, mowing the lawn and perhaps jet washing the patio.
So, what should you think about if you are looking to sell your property? A good declutter before viewings is an important step to take if you want people to leave with a good opinion of your home. However, personality is also an ingredient to making a sale. Though you shouldn’t let photos and decoration take over the eyes of the viewer, having some personality on display can offer the viewer an idea of what the house looks like when it becomes a home.
Neatening up fixtures that may have lost their “newness” over time can prevent distractions that may affect the viewers decision to buy. A lick of paint can go a long way, to it may be a good idea to look around the house for things that need fixing up before people arrive.
Talk to the experts
Deciding to sell your property may seem complicated but having the right team by your side from the start can make the process a lot smoother. Our experienced conveyancers remove the stress and confusion of moving, guiding you through the process and taking care of actions that may appear to be mind boggling. Our prices are fixed so you know exactly what you are paying for.
If you would like to speak to someone to obtain a no-obligation quote before you sell your property, please get in touch with Harold Stock for more information.
