Sarah Beeny’s top tips for selling your home

Add £5,000 to the asking price with this useful advice from property expert Sarah Beeny

sarah beeny
(Image credit: Sarah Beeny | Property Ladder)

Thinking about selling your house? TV's Sarah Beeny, whose property shows include Double Your House for Half the Money and Property Ladder knows a thing or two about shifting properties. Here, she shares with us her top tips to increase the value of your home and sell it quickly.

1. First impressions count

Most buyers form their first impressions of a house within seconds of walking through the door. Spend time tidying up the outside of the house - plant flowers, trim bushes, weed, repaint the front door and make sure your door furniture is looking really great. If you have a path make sure it is swept clean and looks tidy.

2. Spring clean

Cleanliness and tidiness should never be underestimated and so clean each room top to bottom. In high impact rooms such as the bathroom and kitchen make sure surfaces are cleaned and focus on floors, too. A sparkling floor will instantly lift the room. A proper clean will also make your home smell fresh and appealing.

3. Fix it

Got a dripping tap or a cracked tile? These will send the wrong message to potential buyers. From removing grubby sealant to replacing damaged areas of carpet, getting all problems fixed before putting the house on the market is a smart idea.

4. Eliminate clutter

Clutter doesn't sell homes, it makes them seem smaller and disorganised. Take time to remove as much as possible without leaving the rooms bear.

5. Keep it neutral

Neutral colours won't put any buyer off. Potential buyers walking through your home will be able to plan to put their own stamp on the house without having to remove yours first. If neccessary, paint all your home white - yes, it make take a few weeks, but it will be worth it in the end.

Feeling inspired? Don't miss our brilliant ideas for updating your home for under a grand.

Do you agree with Sarah's advice? Or does the idea of painting over your colourful walls with white paint fill you with horror? And do you have more tips for a quick sale? Let us know in the comments box below.

Heather Young
Editor

Heather Young has been Ideal Home’s Editor since late 2020, and Editor-In-Chief since 2023. She is an interiors journalist and editor who’s been working for some of the UK’s leading interiors magazines for over 20 years, both in-house and as a freelancer.