The property market is coming back soon

 

As Local property experts Alba Property really do make every effort to ensure that all our homes for sale are presented in their best light. It is our attention to detail which  makes the difference. 

There are many things which you can do to help your sale - Here are 5 Superb tips which will help you get it right .

‘Everyone’ by now knows to De-Clutter ! Our advice is to CREATE SPACE – in every way possible , and in every room :

  • For Living rooms , this means getting rid of any kids toys which have become a permanent feature
  • For your Kitchen it might mean hiding away more obtrusive appliances like blenders
  • For Bathrooms – it definitely means putting away personal effects like shampoos and other wash gear
  • Open up blinds and let the light in!

 Obviously you need to clean your house! We recommend: 

  • Taking a tooth brush to your tile grout! 
  • Make sure internal bins are emptied prior to your viewings too. 
  • Don’t forget to wipe down your skirtons and clear away the cobwebs! 

You may have heard of Home Staging – The best presented homes really do sell the quickest ! And for more!

  • Beautifully present your bedroom to give it a luxurious boutique hotel feel.
  • Show off your Living room and make sure your solid oak flooring isn’t hidden under an old rug. 
  • Fill your fruit bowl!    

Consider your viewer’s experience. This doesn’t stop at Kerb appeal - This means: 

  • Making sure the parking spaces outside your house are available
  • Your garden must be tidy and well kept 
  • Lighting  your solid fuel fire , or your leave your gas living flame fire burning to full effect

 Make the right impression

  • Perhaps you should ask your viewers to remove their shoes or provide blue cover shoes 
  • Switch on any mood lighting you have installed – internal and external – let your viewer know that everything works 
  • Make sure that any small jobs which need to be taken care of ( perhaps highlighted in your Home Report ) – are already taken care of.

We know these kind of tips can be too general – but hopefully they will inspire you to think about what’s right for your home .

Alba Property SELL beautiful homes throughout West Lothian .  If you have any questions about how your home should be presented – Call us on 01506 500 999to find out more.

 

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Sean Nicoll

As marketing manager at Alba Property I am responsible for all things marketing!

I have been involved in property, sales and marketing roles for more than 20 years.

Alba Propety was started in 2013 and since them we have strived to be different from other agents. We aim to offer a personal yet professional service.

If you are thinking about selling your property - feel free to call us to have a no-obligation chat about how to market your property to generate the maximum amount of interest - and of course , your best price!

 

 

 

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Annette McDonald

Hi , Im Annette and I’ve been working as an Estate Agent for the past 20 years or so. I’ve previously worked locally with Your Move and Remax . During that time I’ve always enjoyed being involved in property sales – my job is my passion! Even though moving house can be a stressful time - I’m completely devoted to ensuring my clients get the best customer service. Alba Property is a smaller agency – I like it because it allows for flexibility and  I can make sure all my clients have the best possible experience .

Please check out my reviews on our Facebook page!

We have just bought a house and sold our flat with Alba, our flat was marketed quickly, the schedule and photos were to a very high standard. Our flat sold in 7 days!!!! Which meant we got our dream home! 
We could not rate Alba highly enough, thank you so much Annette for making our big move so smooth! Would definitely use Annette, Alba again but I think we will be in our new home for a long time!

Very efficient and effective service from Annette..... couldn't have been happier with how our sale was handled from start to finish.

If you are thiinking of selling please call Alba Property on 01506 500 999 to arrange your Free Home Valuattion with no obligation.

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Sinead Wood-McManus

I have worked as an Estate Agent in West Lothian for 18 years -  Your Move, Aberdein Considine, Yopa and Turpie & Co. I have a wealth of local knowledge and have built a strong reputation based on trust and honesty with my clients and being able to deliver exceptional results. I have been recognised and awarded as being a ‘top introducer’ in previous roles.

I believe my passion and enthusiasm for property, along with my personal approach ensures my clients are fully satisfied. I love helping my customers find their dream home and sell their current property for a fantastic price.  My motto is ‘ Go above and beyond’. I pride myself on giving the highest level of customer service.

With Alba it is all about our customers, its not just a home, its peoples lives and futures we are entrusted with so we need to deliver.

Alba Property No Sale – No Fee Estate agency offers a modern approach to selling your house – all the benefits of the online agents but with a conventional Estate Agent who is 100% dedicated  to your sale – our focus is to achieve your best price in the best possible time frame. Please check out what my previous clients have said about me!

The best person to sell your house! Knowledgeable, supportive and she always goes the extra mile for customers. I would recommend Sinead McManus to sell your property over anyone else. Also a very reasonable price!

 Sinead is a hard working, diligent and professional person with a real insight into the property market in West Lothian.

If you are thinking of selling, please call Alba Property on 01506 500999 to arrange your Free Home Valuation with no obligation.

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When it comes to selling a house, ‘staging’ is of the utmost importance. You might spend hours upon hours dusting ceiling corners, scrubbing at the kitchen floor or rearranging the furniture. However, there are other changes you could make which you might not have thought of.

Recent research carried out by  Carpettright explores how our living spaces can often dictate how we feel. Given that we spend 80 - 90% of our time indoors, it makes sense that, as people, we want to go to great lengths to ensure our surroundings make ourselves feel happy and positive.  

Key findings from the study found that three-quarters of people surveyed agree that the layout of a room can impact their mood. Two-thirds of the group found a messy room stress-inducing, while a third associate gardens with relaxation.

Feng Shui master, Alan Stirling, recognises that “our environment is very often an expression of how we feel inwardly. Ideally, it should inspire us to make the most of our lives from when we open our eyes in the morning and help us relax after a rewarding day”.

If Carpetright’s findings tell us anything, it’s that if we can positively influence how people feel when they step foot in our home, they are more likely to be open to purchasing. So, how can you harness this knowledge and achieve ultimate zen within your soon-to-be-sold home in preparation for viewings? 

 

Use Plants And Natural Materials To Your Advantage

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The study showed that 81% of participants agree that having an outdoor space at home is important. Many other studies have also shown that adding plants to your household creates a calming and colourful environment. 

Plants are quick and relatively inexpensive additions to make; simply head on down to your nearest garden centre and stock up on ones that go nicely with the colour palette and space you’re working with. According to Mark McCance, Director of Hortology.co.uk - The Indoor Plant Experts For Home & Office’, some of the best house plants include Dragon Trees, Kentia Palm and Snake Plants because of their air-purifying qualities.

“Plants in the home have generally been linked with improved well-being, optimism, calmness, particularly as they dampen sound in noisy environments, and a sense of stability and reduction in stress and anxiety”, says McCance. 

In addition, natural materials such as wooden flooting not only offset the human-made parts of your home visually but also have positive effects on yours and your guests’ mental states, simulating proximity to nature.  

“The introduction of greenery such as houseplants, green walls or natural materials is an important element of health and wellbeing”, says McCance. 

The abundance of plants and natural materials will leave your viewers feeling relaxed and calm, with a positive impression of your home. 

 

Change Up The Lighting

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You want your home to ideally be bright and airy when expecting visitors or viewings. A dingy, poorly lit environment will be an immediate turn-off to potential buyers, whereas standing lamps, intricate fairy lights or mood-boosting colour-changing LED lights signal warmth and comfort.

Lighting can instantly influence the mood of your guests, so it is definitely something to take into account when preparing your house for viewings.  

Stimulate Your Guests’ Senses With Smells And Sights

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This can be in the form of bright eye catching rugs, essential oil diffusers or scented candles. These small additions to your household stimulate at least one of the five senses and have a big impact on your space and how relaxed your guests will feel. 

Entering a house that smells divine and oozes colour is going to immediately impress your visitors. When it comes to décor, certain colours can evoke specific feelings and sentiments too; for example, yellow is associated with optimism, green and blue with harmony, while reds and oranges go hand in hand with warmth and excitement. Decide how you want your guests to feel and adjust your colour palette to suit. 

But this ‘sense awakening’ doesn’t have to be synonymous with splurging; miniature adjustments to cushions, rugs and small furnishings can make all the difference. 

Get Rid Of Clutter 

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It goes without saying that too much clutter can be very off-putting to potential buyers. By placing bits and pieces into storage units and boxes, you enable visitors to get a clear picture of the space on offer. Mess and clutter can often hinder this. 

Home organisation expert and Netflix show host Marie Kondo has taken the internet by storm with her trademarked ‘KonMari’ methods. By only keeping items that “spark joy” within you and discarding those that fail to have the same effect, you are able to both declutter and surround yourself with plenty of positive vibes. 

In addition to this, two-thirds of people feel stressed in messy rooms – the last thing you want your guests to feel when thinking of potentially buying your home. 

Why not ask your Alba Property Sales Agent for more hints and tips ?