Spring is in the air! Magnolia trees are in bloom, tulips are coming up and selling your property is all about maximising curb appeal. 

Read on to find tips for grabbing the attention of buyers and finalising that sale!  

First impressions matter 

Start every viewing on a positive note by keeping your drive, garden and front door in tip top condition. Spring bulbs can add welcoming colour. 

Hide the clutter!  

A tidy space will help a buyer imagine how their possesions might fit in. The space will look bigger if non-essential items are hidden away or even put in storage.

Have your garden ready for sunnier days  

Now the weather's warming up, set up your garden with outdoor furniture so buyers can see how they can use the space once summer arrives. Remember though, if it's still chilly outside, do keep the heating on - a warm house will make your house more appealing.  

Keep pets away 

Not all potential buyers are animal lovers. Do keep pets out of the way for viewings. Even if buyers love your furry friend, they may be distracted and not focus on your house.

Focus on your home's best bits  

Make sure the best room in the house is decorated and presented to perfection, whether that's a light-flooded kitchen or an office with a stunning view.  

They say you are most likely to fall in love, if you love yourself first! Your home is no different. The more love you show your home, the more other people will love it too.  

The flowers are starting to pop up and so are V&H Homes sold boards, so why not be a part of this growing trend? 

We give you four top tips on bringing back the love so your home sells!

If you don't have much time 

Do the basics; a good clean and declutter. Create space by clearing worktops and stowing away any of the unnecessaries so that you optimise your rooms. This combined with making use of the vibrant colours of spring could really set you apart from the rest. Think about yellows, blues and greens to provide a truly refreshing feeling to your property.

Love at first sight!  

Don’t forget the front of your home. This is most likely to greet your buyers initially online and during a physical viewing.  A simple tidy-up to make your home look its best.  Check the front door, does it need painting or cleaning? Are there any unsightly weeds in the garden or paving?  

Have your paperwork ready  

You don’t want to make a swift sale only to become delayed by paperwork. Start gathering it now, from gas certificates to warranties.  

If you have a little more time 

After you have cleaned, check grouting, mould and anything else that is a relatively cheap fix. This will spruce up your bathroom or kitchen and seduce buyers. Check everything from taps to toilet seats!

V&H Homes Estate Agents in Ashtead are looking for a part time Viewings & Office Assistant to join our company.

This is an opportunity to work within a highly experienced team in our busy Ashtead office.

We will consider high calibre applicants who have a commitment to outstanding customer service.

Hours: 2 days a week; every Saturday 8.30am - 5pm and one day in the week 8.30am - 6pm (weekday hours can be flexible).

Requirements: Full UK Driving Licence.

Experience: Experience in Estate Agency is preferred, but not necessary. Training will be provided.

Duties will include:

• Accompanying prospective buyers to properties and encouraging offers.
• Talking with prospective and existing clients on the telephone and face to face.
• Delivering exceptional customer service.

We need you to be:

• Responsible and reliable.
• Able to communicate effectively.
• Professional, organised and have a great work ethic.
• Confident over the telephone and present a positive image of V&H Homes at all times.

If you are interested in this role, please send your CV to [email protected].

With demand for homes still outstripping supply, sellers can be confident they will find a buyer quicker than ever before. * 

On average, properties are spending just 33 days on the open market, compared to 2019 when the average time on the market stood at 67 days. As well as this, the huge decline in sale time means that 53% of property sales are now being agreed at a figure above the asking price, as buyers bid higher to secure their ideal home. * 

The large number of buyers continues to create a competitive market, ideal for sellers. Over 125,000 prospective homeowners took to the market in April to take advantage of the great seller’s market. *  

If you are looking for a quick sale of your property, start by booking a free property valuation here. 

*Rightmove 

If you have ever considered building a property portfolio as a landlord, now could be a great time to start your journey. 

Information from a market-leading property portal indicates rents have risen at the fastest rate on record, and tenant demand has almost doubled. At a time when interest rates on traditional savings accounts are low, many believe it is a good time to invest in the property market. * 

Lenders are evidently committed to supporting prospective landlords. A recent report from a popular money comparison site revealed there are currently 2,235 mortgage products on offer to first-time landlords, an increase of more than 70% than the same time last year.  

A huge 64% of available buy-to-let mortgage products are catering to first-time investors and rates are attractive, allowing landlords to protect themselves against future rate rises by locking into a good deal with a fixed-rate mortgage. The average two-year fixed rate mortgage for a first-time landlord is currently 3.19%, rising to 3.47% for a five-year fixed product.  

If you would like to explore buy-to-let properties and mortgage products which could lay the foundations for your property portfolio, call us today and talk to one of our team members. 

Whether you’re planning to move soon or have already found your forever home, freshening up your interior is always a great idea. But where do you start? These are some simple tricks to make your rooms stand out – for all the right reasons.

Start with the areas you use most

Paying attention to how they could function better. For example, maybe you love your sitting room but can never find a comfortable, well-lit spot to read. In this case, consider adjusting the furniture to better use any available natural light or strategically position lamps to illuminate a dedicated reading nook.

Think about your theme

If several rooms need improving, think about a theme to guide the design. Clean, neutral tones and natural textures promote a feeling of space and airiness, so this might be a good place to start when browsing for inspiration. However, specific areas such as formal dining rooms and bathrooms may need a pop of vibrant colour or a richer, more elegant palette to match the vibe you need.

Smaller spaces can be more challenging.

Your downstairs cloakroom may be functional, but it can be interesting too. If it’s narrow and offers high ceilings, why not create a mini art gallery to give it a sophisticated touch?

Introduce texture

If you don’t want to redecorate the whole house, consider introducing texture and interest instead. Bed canopies, soft covers and throws, sheepskin rugs or a styled fireplace can add luxury to any room. Alternatively, playing with contrast and proportion can help you engage with spaces differently. Think oversized mirrors or introducing modern pieces against a period backdrop.

Call V&H Homes for free advice on maximising value

Getting the décor just right to attract buyers is essential if you’re looking to sell. Of course, there are many ways to style or stage your home. Luckily, our expert team can advise you on this.