Schools are back which means summer is soon to be a distant memory. Darker mornings are creeping in and before long the shops will be bedecked with Halloween and bonfire night goodies. 

As we attempt to fall back into the normal rhythm of normal life, with Christmas looming on the horizon, it’s not uncommon to feel a sense of unrest in the air. It's the season of change - children have started new school years and the falling leaves and colder air indicate that autumn has well and truly arrived.

In step with the seasonal shift, many of us can feel that yearning for new beginnings too - new job opportunities, renovation projects, or we may even seriously consider a brighter, bolder change - and begin searching for that new, dream home...

Starting a new chapter in your perfect, forever home is a BIG decision - but one of the most exciting you can ever make!  But, if ‘I did decide to put my house on the market, would it sell in time to spend Christmas in my new, dream home?'  I hear you cry. Well, fear not - we have prepared our top tips for selling your property in record time.

Here are our 5 secrets for successfully selling your home:

1. Kerb appeal. Before listing your property, look at your home with fresh eyes and from different perspectives. If you walk up to the front of the property, are you impressed? Does the garden look inviting? Does your outside area look well looked after? If your property looks tired or in much need of some TLC, prioritise these improvements before advertising your home - potential buyers can be easily put off, and we need them to be wowed enough to cross over the doorstep.

 You'll be amazed at what a pretty plant or hanging basket can do to brighten up a property's entrance and how a freshly cut lawn can transform a garden!

2. First impressions count. Your potential buyers have stepped over the doorway and have taken their first steps into their future home...what are they greeted with? Is your property giving off peaceful vibes? Does it speak of clean, easy living? 

If potential buyers are having to step over piles of shoes or are at risk of stepping on the odd rogue piece of Lego, for example, you may want to consider a therapeutic de-clutter. Nothing screams a problematic lack of storage as piles of toys stuffed into room corners - and now is not the time to draw attention to your property's drawbacks!

As overwhelming as it might be at first, channel your inner Stacey Solomon and take on a monster de-clutter task room-by-room... You'll thank us later when you have less boxes to lug into your dream, tranquil haven of a home!

3. Appeal to the senses Once you have a more ordered, clean space, you might also want to consider a fresh lick of paint. It can be an inexpensive way of freshening up the whole property to make it easier on the eye. It is also an effective way of neutralising any particularly bold rooms that could prevent your home's future owners from forging an immediate connection to your property and being able to visualise themselves living in the space. 

Once you have a fresh and (relatively) clear canvas, your agent should arrange for your home to be staged for photographs, so it is shown in its very best light. These days, people are far less likely to drive around the neighbourhood scoping out properties without looking online first. First impressions are everything - and before they even look at your property in 3D, your online listing needs to be right - or else you won't get the footfall your house deserves. 

That means, in addition to gorgeous imagery, you might like to think about virtual tours too. Younger generations now come to expect this wonderful tool which burst onto the property scene during Covid with its magical, non-contact powers - and is something that is definitely here to stay.

As well as being visually appealing, the first impression of your home should appeal to the other senses. Think of the smells that greet visitors as they enter the property, for example. It might be an idea to skip the mackerel or spicy curry the night before an important viewing and opt for popular, homely smells such as coffee or fresh bread instead.

If that sounds like way too much effort, consider a diffuser or strategically placed candle!

4. Let your home sparkle. As well as ridding your home of excess clutter and choice smells, if your home is clean and tidy, it is much more likely to make a positive impression. That doesn't mean you have to scrub every inch of your home before every single viewing, of course, but ensuring the surfaces and main areas are clean and sparkly can make all the difference - and make sure you don't forget your windows! Allowing your potential buyers the chance to look out at your garden and surrounding areas without being distracted by smudges or marks is known to be a key secret to a successful sale - dirty windows can somehow make the rest of the home feel unclean - even if it's not! 

5 Timing is everything. While there has been doom and gloom reported on the economic front for as long as we can all remember, we have been gifted some more promising outlooks of late, which might suggest that it could be the right time to sell. The Bank of England's decision to reduce the base rate at the start of August has reignited hopes that rates will continue to fall over the next few months, and open up more opportunities for first time buyers to enter the market. 

While it's all relative, Zoopla also believes house prices will be 2.5% higher at the end of this year than they were in 2023 - so you may get more for your home than you might first expect...

If you'd like more advice on what to do to sell your home, then please give us a call on 0118 304 7177 or drop us an email at sales@wixenford.com. We’d love to help get you moving.