This guide explains what cladding is, why it can be a problem, when an EWS1 certificate is required, and how to navigate the process of selling a flat with cladding in the UK.

Related: Are all renovations going to add value?

What is cladding?

Cladding is a material that covers the outside of a building, providing an extra layer over the main structure. It can serve several purposes:

• Improving thermal insulation, keeping homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
• Protecting the building from weather damage.
• Giving the exterior a modern or decorative finish.

There are many types of cladding, including timber, uPVC, high-pressure laminate, fibre cement, and metal panels. On houses, cladding is often limited to certain sections, while on blocks of flats it may cover large areas of the façade.

If you’re unsure whether your flat has cladding, ask your managing agent or freeholder for details. They should have records of the materials used in construction or refurbishment.

Related: How to change upvc door or window frame colours?

Why is cladding dangerous?

Cladding itself isn’t automatically unsafe. The safety risk arises from certain materials and how they are installed. Some cladding systems use combustible materials or lack sufficient fire breaks, meaning a fire can spread more quickly up the outside of a building.

The Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 exposed the dangers of unsafe cladding, particularly aluminium composite material (ACM). Since then, stricter fire safety checks have been introduced across the UK. Buildings found to have unsafe cladding may require costly remediation before they can be considered safe.

Will cladding affect my ability to sell my property?

It might, particularly if the cladding hasn’t been assessed for fire safety. Many mortgage lenders now require formal confirmation that a building’s external wall system is safe. Without it, buyers could struggle to get a mortgage, which in turn limits their potential market to cash buyers only.

Some of the issues you could face include:

• Mortgage delays or refusals if an EWS1 form isn’t available.
• Lower offers from buyers factoring in the cost of future remediation.
• Longer selling times while safety checks or work are carried out.

That said, flats with cladding do sell, especially when the safety position is clear and paperwork is in place.

Related: Step by step  guide to selling

How do I sell a property with cladding?

Selling a flat with cladding is all about preparation. Here’s how to improve your chances of a smooth sale:

Gather information early
Ask your managing agent or freeholder whether the building has been assessed and if an EWS1 certificate exists. If works are planned or underway, get a clear timeline.

Understand your EWS1 rating
If an EWS1 form is available, check the rating and be ready to explain it to buyers. An A rating means no further action is required. A B1 rating means some combustible materials are present, but no work is currently needed. A B2 rating means remedial work is required.

Be transparent
Provide copies of the EWS1 form and any related reports to your estate agent so they can share them with potential buyers upfront.

Choose the right estate agent
Work with an agent experienced in selling flats with cladding. They’ll know how to present the property, target the right buyers, and handle lender queries.

Related: How to protect your property from tenant damage?

What is an EWS1 certificate, and when is it required?

An EWS1 form, short for External Wall System certificate, is a document confirming that a building’s cladding and external walls have been assessed for fire safety by a qualified professional.

Originally, EWS1 forms were required only for residential buildings over 18 metres (about six storeys) with cladding. However, in practice, some lenders request them for shorter buildings, especially if there are visible cladding materials or balconies with combustible elements.

If you’re wondering whether your building needs an EWS1 form, the answer depends on several factors:

• The building’s height.
• The type of cladding or external wall materials used.
• The requirements of the buyer’s mortgage lender.

How do I get an EWS1 certificate?

Individual flat owners can’t apply for an EWS1 form themselves; it must be arranged by the building’s freeholder, managing agent, or residents’ association. The process involves:

• Hiring a qualified fire safety engineer to inspect the building’s external walls.
• Testing materials, if needed, to determine whether they are combustible.
• Assigning a rating – A1, A2, A3 (safe) or B1, B2 (remedial work needed).
• Issuing the certificate, which is valid for the whole building, not just your flat.

If your building doesn’t have an EWS1 form yet, ask your managing agent about plans to obtain one. Keep in mind that arranging assessments can take months due to high demand.

What if my flat has a B2 rating?

A B2 rating means that the building requires remedial work to make it safe. Selling in this situation can be more difficult, as lenders may not approve mortgages until the work is complete or funding is secured.

However, you can still sell:

• To a cash buyer who doesn’t need a mortgage.
• Once a remediation plan is agreed and funding confirmed (e.g., through the government’s Building Safety Fund).
• By adjusting your asking price to reflect the circumstances.

Can I sell my flat without an EWS1 form?

In some cases, yes, particularly if your building is under 18 metres and your buyer’s lender does not require the form. But the lack of an EWS1 certificate can reduce your pool of buyers, as many lenders are cautious.

Get advice on selling a property with cladding

Selling a flat with cladding can seem daunting, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. A proactive approach like gathering paperwork, understanding your EWS1 position, and being transparent with buyers can make a big difference.

At Northwood, our local property experts can guide you through the process, liaise with your managing agent, and market your flat effectively, even in challenging circumstances. We combine local knowledge with national reach to connect you with the right buyers.

Start your journey today with a free market appraisal.

The post How to sell a flat with cladding appeared first on Northwood UK.

Factors such as poor design, loss of functional space, or ignoring local market preferences can turn well-meaning projects into costly missteps. 

If you are wondering what renovations are worth doing before selling your house, we can help. Coming up, we’ll highlight home improvements that may not deliver the returns you expect, helping you make smart, value-driven choices backed by expert insights and market analysis.

Related: More than Half of UK Homes Are Not Energy Efficient 

The impact of removing a chimney breast

While opening up space can be beneficial, removing a chimney breast is not always desirable for buyers. Original fireplaces, especially in period properties, add character and charm, and often serve a structural purpose.

In modern homes, removal might offer more usable space, but it is essential to consult a structural engineer before committing to this costly renovation.

How removing a conservatory can affect value

Buyers often view a conservatory as an extension of their living space or a garden room. Even if not officially classified as habitable, its removal can create a perception of reduced space. 

Unless it is outdated or in poor condition, removing a well-maintained, insulated, and visually appealing conservatory may reduce your home’s appeal and potential value.

The downsides of hobby-based room makeovers

Personalising rooms, such as converting them into a home cinema, private gym, or library, can sometimes be too niche, poorly executed, or out of step with market trends. Sacrificing versatile spaces, such as bedrooms or home offices, may also limit a property’s appeal to future buyers. 

To preserve your home’s value, consider making such conversions temporary or easily reversible.

Bath vs shower: what buyers want

This decision should depend on the total number of bathrooms in the property. In homes with multiple bathrooms, removing a bathtub can be an easier choice. On the other hand, in one-bathroom properties, families with young children often prioritise having a bath. 

Unless the bathtub is being replaced with a spacious shower that improves the overall layout, it is usually best to keep it.

Is losing a garage or parking space worth it?

Off-street parking is a valuable asset, offering both convenience and practicality. Converting a garage into a living space can provide flexible use, but it may impact kerb appeal, particularly in urban areas where parking is limited, making the loss of a garage a potential deal-breaker. 

However, a well-designed garage conversion can increase property value by an estimated 10–20%. Although much depends on what the space is converted into and how easily it can be adapted by future owners.

Source: Does a garage add value to your home? – Yopa Homeowners Hub

Swimming pools: luxury or liability?

Swimming pools are often seen as high-maintenance and costly, with limited use and potential to raise property taxes. They rarely provide a full return on investment and can even lower a home’s value. However, if local demand favours pools, they can boost property value by up to 15% and improve market appeal.

Source: Do Swimming Pools Add Value to a House? | We Buy Any Home

Installation costs typically range from £20,000 to £50,000, and whether it adds value to your home depends on the location and buyer preferences. Speak to your Northwood agent to find out if it’s worth it for your home. 

Source: Swimming Pool Cost Guide: Plan Your Budget – MyBuilder

Popcorn ceilings: modernising without compromising value

Removing a popcorn ceiling, that is, a textured ceiling, can be a smart move, as it often looks outdated and unattractive. That said, the process must be done professionally to avoid uneven surfaces or exposed plaster. 

A smooth, modern finish can significantly enhance visual appeal and boost marketability. When done right, this simple update may lead to higher offers and add value to your home.

Is a cellar a smart investment for your home?

A usable cellar can be an impressive feature; however, before investing, assess your area’s buyer demographic. 

High-quality design, proper insulation, and functionality can add value, but only if the space is well-integrated and does not compromise essential areas, like storage or utility rooms.

Can overbuilding hurt your home’s value?

Large or poorly planned extensions can reduce garden space, block natural light, and make the overall layout feel disjointed. They may also alter the external appearance of the house or clash with the character of the neighbourhood. 

Over-improving beyond the local ceiling price often fails to deliver a return on investment and can limit buyer interest. 

While extensions can provide valuable living or utility space, they must be carefully designed to avoid creating a cramped or unbalanced feel.

So, what devalues a house? 

Too much or too little of any home improvement can alter the value of your house. Too much wallpaper can be a put-off for some, and bold colours can be a wow factor for some. When it comes to selling your house, it is smart to invest your time and money in areas that consider:

• Your local market: What’s standard or expected in your area?
  
• Your target buyer: Are your upgrades aligned with what buyers are looking for?
  
• Long-term usability: Will the improvement still be relevant in 5–10 years?
  
• Cost vs. value: Will the upgrade offer a return on investment at resale?
  
• Flexibility of space: Can the space be easily adapted by future owners?
  
• Quality of workmanship: Are renovations professionally done to a high standard?
  

Always consult a local property expert before making drastic changes. At Northwood, our team can offer tailored advice on which renovations will help or hurt your home’s market potential.

Further reading:

Why sell with Northwood 

Rental Growth Easing: What UK Landlords Need to Know 

The post Are all renovations going to add value?  appeared first on Northwood UK.

The average house price for sale in Great Britain in August was £365,173 which is a drop of around £4,795 or 1.3%. the effect is different depending on what end of the market you are looking at. First time homes are only down around 0.4% but larger, more expensive homes have seen a drop of 2.6%, but what has caused this drop? Are we starting to see a slowdown in the market on the back of the cost of living and inflation crisis?

Analyzing the Average House Price Decline

At the moment, the answer to that question is no. The housing market typically drops by around this amount in summer. This is because many people are off on holidays so there are less properties on the market and fewer people looking for properties to buy. This at least for the last 10 years has caused a seasonal dip in the market caused by people lowering prices to move before Christmas. Typically, it is taking around 4.5 months to go from offer to completion and once we get into August it is getting tight for a pre-Christmas move.

What about inflation and the recent increases in interest rates, surely the increased cost of living and the associated interest rate increases have softened the market? At the moment, this is not the case. There is a much lower level of properties on the market, according to Property Road, with the number of properties being marketed down 39% compared to 2019 with demand for properties being up 20% compared to 2019. This lower level of supply with a higher level of demand is still propping up property prices and is having a bigger influence than the interest rate hikes. It is expected, though, that these increases will eventually filter through the system and slow the market down, but that is not expected to affect price growth in 2022. So far this year, according to Property Road, first time buyer homes are up 7.4%, second stepper homes are up 9.4% and larger homes are up 7.9% so the market is still very strong in 2022.

Although property prices have dropped in August 2022, this can be explained by the normal seasonal drops caused by the summer holidays and sellers keen to sell to ensure a pre-Christmas move. The drop is in line with historical summer drops and the market is expected to normalise once the summer is over and more people start looking for new homes.

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Prepare your property

The first thing to do, although it seems obvious, is to make your home look fabulous. Sort out those annoying DIY jobs you’ve been putting off, give your home a good clean, clear out clutter and make sure your kerb appeal has the wow factor. You need your property to look at its absolute best to ensure a good valuation and to attract buyers.

Research and choosing an agent

The next thing to do is a little bit of research in the local area and in particular similar properties. This will give you an indication as to the prices properties like yours are selling for so you have an idea of what you could reasonably expect to sell your home for. Do bear in mind, though, that each property is unique so this is just a guide. When doing this research, make sure to check out local estate agents. Choosing the right agent is important as you want someone who is pro-active, has a good reach in the market and who also has good marketing techniques. The better the agent, the better the sales process will be.

Don’t simply choose one agent, though, you will want to get valuations from 2 or 3. Once you have chosen your preferred agents, invite them out to give you a valuation and discuss their service with you. The agents will talk you through their fee structure, how they will market your property and also give you a valuation.  Look at the whole package, not just the highest valuation or the lowest fee. Once you have decided, it’s time to instruct the agent to sell at the price you have agreed. They will draft a sales agreement which you will need to sign. Make sure to read the T&Cs so you understand what you are signing. Some agents will put in a time bound exclusivity clause, which means you cannot go to another agent until that time has elapsed. This is perfectly normal and will often lead to lower fees and a more dedicated service.

Instruct a conveyancer

Once your property is on the market, ensure you keep it clean and looking good for viewings. Be as flexible as you can with viewings, the more flexible you are the more viewings you will get. During this period, start looking for a conveyancer. A conveyancer is essentially a legal professional who specialises in property law. As with estate agents, choosing a good conveyancer will make the process a lot easier for you. you can find conveyancing services either online, in a local solicitors practice or even through your estate agent. You will need to fill out a few forms as part of the process. These will be around the fixtures and fittings included in the sale and also the property details.

Offers and exchanging contracts

Now you just need to wait for the offers. Be aware that, quite often, offers will be low as the buyer tries to buy your property for as low a price as possible. This is perfectly normal and your agent will be happy to negotiate on your behalf. Your agent is legally bound, however, to pass every offer on to you, so even really low offers that they know you won’t accept have to be passed on. Once you have negotiated a price it is time to sort all the legal paperwork. Your conveyancer will lead you through this process step by step. Be ready to answer any questions as quickly as you can and sign any paperwork quickly. Quite early in the process your conveyancer will send you the sale contract. This will not be dated but you will need to sign it as the buyer will need it ready for exchange. Until you exchange contracts, the sale is not legally binding so either party can pull out at any time. After exchange there are financial penalties for pulling out.

Completion

Once contracts are exchanged all the finances will be sorted and a completion date agreed. Completion is simply the date when all monies are exchanged and the sale is finalised. The buyer will now be the owner of your property. Exchange and completion can happen on the same day. You will need to be prepared to move out that day as the new owner will want to move in ASAP.

Selling a house can be complex but choosing a good agent will make it easier for you. At Northwood, we are here for you every step of the way to help you sell your home as quickly and easily as possible. So why not pop into one of our over 90 local offices across the country and see how we can help you on this exciting journey?

The post Tips for first time sellers appeared first on Northwood UK.

Look at Your Home from the Viewers Point of View

It’s important to look at your property with an objective eye. Your estate agent should be able to help you. This can be tricky as we tend to be emotionally connected to our homes and whilst we may be moving for a positive reason, e.g. upgrading for more space, many of us will still feel that strong emotional link.

Remember, the point of a viewing is to allow the prospective buyer to be able to picture themselves making the property their home. To accomplish this, you will need to provide them a blank canvas, which means removing your everyday personal effects like family pictures, souvenirs and children’s artwork. Look at this exercise as getting a head start on the packing for your new home, pack your precious items securely away.

Presenting the Property in the Best Light

It goes without saying that the property should be tidy, to present it in the best light you may need to go a little further than that. If you are just starting viewings, it is worthwhile giving the place a thorough deep clean. Consider having well-lived in carpets professionally cleaned. Once this is done all you will need to do is a quick vacuum and a wipe down of surfaces prior to each viewing.

We have five senses, for those viewing your property all of them will be in overdrive. Try to view each room as critically as possible: If a room smells a little musty, then you need to give it a good airing. If the noise from outside is a little loud when the window is open, make sure it’s closed during the visit. If a room is quite dark, consider adding a warm lamp and replacing dark curtains.

Let the Fresh Air In

There are few things more off-putting if you’re viewing a property than bad aromas. If you have the smell of cooking in the kitchen because you’ve just fed the children, it can be repellent.  Airing rooms for an hour or so before the viewing will help clear the air, as will adding fresh flowers, scented candles or diffusers (though don’t overdo this as it can send out warning signs to the viewer).

Kerb Appeal and Why It’s Important

Don’t just think about the inside of your home, pay attention to its kerb appeal, first impressions count! While it’s important for getting viewings in the first place, the outside of your home is also vital when potential buyers visit. We tend to make up our minds quickly and a poorly presented front of house can colour what people think from then on, even if your interior is perfect.

If your front garden has got a bit out of hand, put some work into making things look presentable. Ensure there is no rubbish or clutter, trim hedges, grass and bushes, top up the shingle and remove weeds from the pathway.

Small Repairs and Renovations

Review your home décor, we don’t all have the same taste, if you have personalised your home consider a revamp to neutral colours. A neutral colour will make rooms appear larger which is a major selling point and will once again allow the viewer to see a blank canvas to superimpose their own taste and style.

There could be a few areas in your home that need to be repaired. You may no longer notice that dink in the wall, but your viewers certainly will. While large renovations may not be cost-effective, small repairs and updates such as filling in dents in the wall before adding a lick of paint can make a big difference.

Just Before a Viewing

Before someone comes to your property, make sure you do the little things well. If it’s winter, put the heating on early enough to create a warm welcome. Make sure areas like the toilet, bath and shower rooms are clean and smell nice and do a final sweep for personal items like coats, dressing gowns, shoes etc. and make sure they are all put away. You might also like to have tea or coffee ready to create a warm welcome.

Help is at Hand

Whether you are buying or selling a property, a good estate agent can help to guide you through the process, including preparing your property for viewings. At Northwood we have local property experts who have conducted countless viewings, they will be able to advise you on how to make your home appealing to buyers click here to find your nearest Northwood branch.

The post How to Prepare your Property for a Viewing – Full Guide appeared first on Northwood UK.

First-Time Buyers Dominate Market

• The number of first-time buyers grew by 35% in 2021, compared to the pandemic year of 2020, despite the ongoing uncertainty.
• Close to 60% of agents in the latest Dataloft subscriber poll reported that first-time buyers were the most popular type of buyer at present, over twice as many as those who said second-steppers.
• Key drivers of demand are falling unemployment, low borrowing costs and an increased number of low deposit mortgage deals.
• The stamp duty holiday and a drop in expenditure during lockdowns may have boosted deposits for the 60% of first-time buyers who are in the top 40% of incomes (English Housing Survey). Source: Dataloft, % of buyers by category

Source: Dataloft Inform

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What Are Green Mortgages?

A green mortgage will be offered by a bank or mortgage lender to a homebuyer who can show that the property for which they are borrowing against meets certain environmental standards. A green mortgage could be offered on a new build home with an existing efficient EPC rating, or where a borrower can demonstrate that they will financially commit to renovating an existing building to improve its energy performance. As an incentive, the bank could offer a borrower either a lower interest rate on their mortgage or an increased loan amount.

What Could This Mean for My Property?

As part of the Strategy, the plan is to improve the energy efficiency of homes to an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C. Currently in the UK only 40% of properties meet this standard. How will the Government do this? By getting lenders to set targets of reaching an average of a C rating across all properties that they mortgage by 2030. The Government will implement this on a voluntary basis to start things off but are prepared to make this mandatory should the need arise.

This means that anyone seeking to obtain a mortgage could be encouraged to borrow more money to make energy efficiency improvements as part of the deal. Obviously, the benefits of lower energy bills could offset the additional cost of this borrowing to a certain degree and potentially lower interest rates might also help If purchasing a property where these improvements can be carried out at relatively little cost, then all is well. However, the issue becomes a greater one, or even a prohibitive one, if a homeowner cannot afford to borrow more or if the cost of the necessary changes to older properties is so high, they cannot be recovered through a sale. Ultimately this would make the property a less attractive option. in addition to this it’s also very likely that it will be harder to find a economical mortgage for a property with a poor EPC rating, which will in turn make them more difficult to sell and ultimately possibly reduce their value. Another problem comes for homeowners who may struggle to remortgage inefficient properties, so they could end up paying larger mortgage payments each month.

The Government’s response to these concerns regarding green mortgages has been that they feel that the market will simply adjust, so that inefficient properties will become cheaper, and people can therefore afford to buy and improve their energy efficiency, but this is not guaranteed.

In all, striving for more energy efficient properties is a noble goal and incentivising this through cheaper mortgages can only make it more attractive, but there is a potential downside to the green mortgage scheme which could cause some properties to lose value.

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2021 Home Moving Trends – Expectations vs. Reality

• Many people move more often than they expect to. This is a key finding of the 2021 Home Moving Trends Survey, conducted by the Property Academy and analysed by Dataloft.
• While just 13% of home movers expect to move within the next 5 years, the reality is that 28% are likely to.
• Equally, while a significant proportion (36%) anticipate their new property will be their ‘forever’ home, the reality is that just 1 in 4 will stay for over 20 years.
• The survey, answered by over 14,000 home movers nationwide, found that the pandemic could be considered a trigger for more than 40% of recent home moves.

Source: Dataloft, Property Academy, 2021

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The Future of Sustainable Living – Insights from COP26 and HomeViews Research

• As COP26 continues, research by HomeViews has found nearly 70% of new build owners or renters value sustainable building features.
• Recycling services, energy saving measures and renewable energy features were most valued by renters and owners alike.
• New build owners or renters were less bothered by smart features and sustainable construction techniques.
• The Future Homes Standard is set to come into effect in 2025, to ensure new homes produce 75% to 80% less carbon emissions than at present.

Source: Dataloft and Homeview 2021

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What Has Happened To House Prices in Carmarthenshire?

According to data from Principality Building Society’s Wales House Price Index for the period of April to June 2021, the average price of a house in Carmarthenshire increased by 19.9%, taking the average to £190,176 for a property. The Price Index details the increases and decreases in property prices for all 22 Local Authority areas of Wales. This was the highest increase seen across all 22 local authorities – great news for those looking to sell a property in the area. Conwy to the North was the next highest average price increase at 19.7%.

Why is Carmarthenshire Enjoying The Highest Increases?

With the county enjoying the stunning scenery of the Cambrian Mountains to the North and the tranquil beauty of the longest beaches in Wales, stretching for miles with the Wales Coastal Walk for company and affordable property prices, Carmarthenshire seems the natural choice for those seeking a life away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With a trip from Carmarthen to Swansea taking around 40 minutes, with further links via the M4 and several trunk roads to other cities, the ease and convenience of connections from Carmarthen to other parts of Wales and the UK is clear.

What About Property Prices Wales In General?

According to a report by the BBC, Rightmove found that Wales enjoyed the biggest increase in average property prices in the whole of the UK, with a rise of 2.3% in July alone and 10.9% year on year. In the same report, the Principality Building Society detailed a new high for the average price of a property in Wales of £215,810. The reasons for Wales enjoying this property boom could range from the recent lockdowns sparking a desire to move away from the crowds of cities to the open spaces of the countryside and the beauty of the coast. With houses historically more affordable in Wales and lockdown seeing a huge shift to working from home and removing the need to live within a commutable distance of work, a move to Wales is an attractive prospect for many.

Considering a move to the Coast?

If you are considering a move to the peace and tranquillity of the country or coast, why not talk to our property professionals. With our professional approach to sales and letting and over 80 locally owned estate and lettings agencies across the UK, we can help make your dream move become a reality.

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Market Update – Stabilizing Buyer Demand in the Residential Sector

• Buyer demand is stabilising according to the latest edition of the RICS Residential Survey.
• At a national level the new buyer enquiries indicator posted a net balance of zero in September, a sign of stable demand.
• For the third consecutive month the volume of newly agreed sales fell back, a net balance of agents (-15) citing a decline.
• Sales volumes are expected to remain stready throughout the final quarter of 2021, a continued shortage of supply sustaining pressure on prices. Source: Dataloft, RICS

Source: Dataloft Inform

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Tip 1 – A neutral palette

A neutral palette will appeal to a wider range of potential buyers. In this article for Taylor Wimpey, Susan White (Managing Director of Phoenix Design) advises walls painted in taupe or mid greys and using splashes of colour on accessories and feature walls. Pat Nightgale from interior design company Blocc Ltd agrees. In this article for House Beautiful, she suggests a brightly coloured rug to add colour to a neutral room and in doing so, a focal point is then created.

Tip 2 – Cohesion

Show homes often have a colour theme running throughout with this being present in most rooms in one way or another, be it paint on an accent wall or in the use of soft furnishings such as curtains and rugs or bed linen. There will be a very clear direction in terms of style which gives a cohesive feel to the overall design. Eileen Kesson from Envisoin Showhomes in this article for House Beautiful advises a focus on co-ordination of colour to give a feeling of harmony and a sense of connectedness between rooms. She also loves the use of wallpaper to add an instant wow-factor to a room.

Tip 3 – De-clutter

Nakeya Fincher from Divine Elements of Design provides tips for accomplishing a show home look for your home in her blog on decoratorsvoice.com. One of her top tips is removing all clutter from your home. Whilst we all like to surround ourselves with items that make our home feel like ours, no-one can imagine living in your home if it is packed to the rafters with clutter. Pack away most of your ornaments, keeping a choice few pieces to display. Try to get in the mindset that once you have offered your home for sale, it is no longer yours. Allow buyers the space to imagine their possessions in the house rather than being overwhelmed by yours.

Tip 4 – Use of soft furnishings

When selling your home, the clever use of soft furnishings can offer a stylish, luxe look. Susan White from Phoenix Design suggests using upholstered bed heads or panels to give a luxurious hotel feel to your bedrooms. Nakeya Fincher from Divine Elements of Design goes one further. She uses several pieces artwork in place of a headboard if your budget does not allow for a new one. She also offers the suggestion of dressing each bed with cushions and pillows. This gives a luxurious, hotel-style feel to the bedroom and again, clever use of colour here can buy into your cohesive theme. Susan White feels that a beautifully made bed, with co-ordinating throws and cushions can give the ultimate show home feel. Curtains needn’t be expensive but careful selection of fabric and colour can add the final finishing style touch to a room. Curtains should frame and show off the windows beautifully, not overpower them. Many show homes use blinds in place of curtains for simplicity and a clean look. In this article for House Beautiful, Jon Piling from Abode interior design company suggests hanging floor to ceiling curtains with a wave pattern on the top can make a room appear taller and wider.

Tip 5 – Symmetry

There is something very pleasing on the eye and satisfying to the brain about symmetry. A common interior design trick is to stage items in groups of odd numbers – three small bud vases, five photo frames. Balancing items such as cushions also falls into this design tip. Interior Designer, Susan White agrees. She suggests matching lamps on tables at each end of a sofa and using symmetry and balance in cushions and accessories.

Tip 6 – Lighting

Show homes often employ clever use of lighting to make rooms appear brighter and bigger and also to give a soft, homely feel. Nakeya Fincher from Divine Elements of Design advises that when it comes to lighting, more is definitely more. She uses a rule of thumb measurement of 100W of lighting for every 50sq. feet and advises the use of dimmers and lamps to help achieve a show home look and feel to your home.

Employing some of these clever tips will help you to stage your home, ready for the steady stream of potential buyers and hopefully achieve your full asking price. It will also help you to detach emotionally from your home and prepare you to look forward to your new home.

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