Tips for selling your house or flat when you have kids

Selling a property can be a stressful time trying to juggle work, keeping the house tidy and being available for viewings.  Add kids into the mix and it can become pretty chaotic. The good news is this doesn’t have to be the case! Here are VMH Solicitors’ top tips to make moving with kids as easy as ABC. 

De-clutter your home 

It’s amazing how fast things can accumulate when you have kids. A new toy here, another toy there and before you know it your home is one BIG playroom. So before having the photos taken, take the time to go through each room and decide what needs to go.

Neutralise the decor

The last thing you want is for buyers to feel they will have to factor the cost of re-decorating into their budget. You want to make sure your home appeals to the masses and whilst your little action heroes may love their brightly coloured bedroom, chances are the majority of buyers won’t. Not everyone can look past décor so neutralise walls and remove decorative items such as themed curtains or posters.

Depersonalise

It is important that buyers can picture themselves living in your home. To prevent them from becoming distracted by your personal belongings, put the kid’s artwork away, remove fridge magnets, calendars and other personalised items and consider swapping some family photos with generic pictures.

Redefine the space

If you currently use your spare room as a play room for the kids, convert it back to a bedroom or home office. This will really help to sell the space you have on offer and appeal to the majority of prospective buyers viewing your home.

Viewings

Perhaps one of the more difficult things about selling with children is having the house ready for viewings and working around your family’s schedule. Decide whether you want to offer “open viewings” or do viewings “by appointment” then agree set days and times for viewings to take place.

Occupy the kids

It’s difficult to prepare your home for viewings when the kids are making a mess faster than you can clean. Purchase special toys or activity books and games to keep them occupied while you get the property ready or enlist the grandparents for an hour (or two) to take the kids out during viewings.

Clean

As an added touch to boost your home’s selling potential, carry out a deep clean throughout. Make sure you don’t miss those sticky finger prints on the windows!

Where to start 

If you’re looking to get started with selling your home, it’s best to begin with a home valuation. ESPC agents offer a free valuations service – simply fill out our home valuation form, and we’ll put you in touch with one of ESPC’s agents to arrange a free valuation.