Make a sale while the Sun Shines in Lancashire

Make a sale while the sun shines

The arrival of Spring lifts the mood for many reasons. Longer days and warmer weather mean that it’s time to get back outside into the fresh air after a winter spent in hibernation. For the property market, too, Spring is filled with optimism and great potential.

Here at MovingWorks, Spring is our favourite time of year because it allows us to really show off our clients’ homes in the best light . . . literally. Rural Lancashire is beautiful all year but the arrival of blue skies and increased daylight hours mean that we can put our photography and videography expertise to good use and create a truly stunning package of sales materials for sellers. showing our properties in even better light.

One of the things I’ve seen change about the property market in recent years is the importance of digital content in the sales process. Once upon a time, people were prepared to head out at the weekend and take a tour of a few properties to see what was available. That simply isn’t the case any more.

In 2023, people now expect to do most of their preliminary research online before putting in the legwork. In fact, you’ve probably done it yourself when shopping for new clothes, furniture or even cars. Narrowing down the options from the comfort of the computer screen is part and parcel of the world today. And that is why we place such a strong emphasis on the development of eye-catching, high-quality videos and photography for our clients.

Estate agents have always known that first impressions count. But now those first impressions take place in the digital space. So, we’ve invested heavily in our own services to offer everything from 360-degree tours and cutting-edge CGIs to presenter-led videos.

Of course, creating engaging video content requires the same preparation and attention to detail as a physical visit. So, if you are looking for photos with a sunlit Spring shoot, the same rules of first impressions apply.  

That includes those bothersome chores of hoovering and dusting, as well as investing in a hallway diffuser or splashing out on a vase of flowers for the dining table. All of these little details may not seem like they should be make or break tasks but, add them all together, and they can make a real difference to the quality of that all-important first impression.

One of the best things about showing off a property in Spring is that the garden becomes a major selling point. A sunny Spring day allows sellers to draw back the bi-folds and bring the sights, sounds and smells of the garden into the home.

Nothing gives buyers a greater buzz than wandering outside into the sunshine and picturing themselves enjoying a long, hot summer in your property. A carefully placed barbecue, running water feature and a well-tended flowerbed can certainly help with this, too.

South Ribble area, particulalrly Longton Tarleton Whitestake and Hesketh Bank, are know for their nurseries, many of which sell directly to the public so a wide range of plants are readibly available.

Before conducting viewings, I will often help a seller to prepare by helping to get an objective eye on these first impressions and little touches of excellence. I know it can be hard to see a home you live in every day through fresh eyes, so I find that people really appreciate a little bit of collaboration when it comes to preparing for viewings, spotting areas for improvement and planning the staging of an open-house event.

In many cases, we also bring in our stylists to help prepare rooms for both viewings and photography – just to add that truly professional touch.

Here are just a few additional points to consider before a viewing:

Maximise the sense of light and space

The weather may be getting brighter but it’s always advisable to leave lights switched on for viewings with curtains drawn back fully and bedroom doors left open. A temporary hallway mirror or an additional lamp can also be beneficial when trying to convey light and space.

Tackle the snag list

As homeowners we all know that there are, from time to time, little fiddly jobs that we put off for a few weeks or even months. However, when the time comes to list your property, it really is good advice to take those snag list chores in hand. Perhaps it’s touching up paintwork, applying WD40 to a squeaky door, raking the garden or even power-washing the drive.

My advice to sellers is always: put your best foot forward. Don’t leave anything to chance or give a potential buyer any reason to doubt that your home has always been lovingly looked after and is in pristine condition.

Please do feel free to get in touch with me at any time and if you are thinking of selling I will be more than happy to help you make this season a successful one.