If you’re planning to sell your house, then you may want to freshen it up before you put it on the market. Thousands of homes are sold every year, however many owners lose out on swift sales mainly because their property lacks that final touch.

There are lots of cheap and simple ways to spice up your home before you’re ready to sell, many of them bridging the gap between an interested buyer and a window shopper. For example, the first thing a person sees when viewing a property is the exterior, so this should be your first point of call.

Making an impression first time around will save you time and money in the long run, so take note of these tips and get your house ready for viewing – you never know, you might make more money that you planned!

Power-Wash The Windows

High-pressured power washers are great at cleaning off all the dirt and grime that accumulates on the outside of your property. Even if a wall looks clean, power-wash it just in case – you’ll be surprised what might come off!  Furthermore, it’s pretty cheap to rent a decent power-washer for the day, so just make sure you’re able to reach all of the tough spots where dirt could be hiding.

Paint the Exterior

Painting the outside of your house will work wonders for its appearance. From the trims around your porch to your front and back doors, a quick lick of paint will give your house a new, fresh lease of life. Why not get some new house signs too? Not only will new fonts and signage impress the postman, they will also give your home a more modern look.

Paint the Interior

Painting the inside of your house may seem a bit extreme, however we’re not talking about redecorating the entire house! By quickly touching up some fading skirting boards and walls, you’ll be able to sleep easier knowing that your house smells as new as when you first moved in. Keeping up with appearances in your home will not only improve your living space, but it will also impress any potential buyers.

Tidy the Yard

Keeping your garden tidy is very important when trying to sell your home. Firstly, no one wants to show potential buyers around areas of the house that are untidy – it gives a bad impression! Secondly, and most importantly, buyers want to be able to imagine their own furniture and ornaments in a garden. If they can’t see themselves relaxing in your yard because its full of mess, then they’ll be straight on to the next house in no time.

Replace the Kitchen and Bathroom Fixtures

If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then the bathroom is the brain! If your kitchen is due a facelift, why not reduce your costs by smartening up the small features like taps, fittings and door knobs. It’s the little things that make a huge difference, so make sure your bathroom and kitchen are up to scratch – the last thing you need is for a leaking tap or a cracked mirror to put a potential buyer off!

Zoe is an experienced blogger and freelance writer who has written for a variety of home improvement blogs. She is currently working on behalf of 2Furnish, who produce top quality conservatory furniture in the North West of England.