​ ​	Local property sales expert John-Paul Burrough of award-winning Marsh & Parsons Tooting with 5 vital tips to prepare your home for a summer sale.

With the recent heatwaves, this summer is looking to be a scorcher and we are ready to welcome it with open arms. With summer holidays fast approaching and longer & lighter evenings, now is time to dust away those cobwebs that may have gathered over winter and prepare your home for sale. Here are five simple steps for getting your house in shape…  

Prune the garden
In the winter months, if you’re lucky enough to have a garden, it may have taken a back seat. No one wants to venture out in the cold and pouring rain, and let’s face it, plants haven’t got much to offer you either. Catch those rays whilst you tidy up the garden by pruning the bushes and planting some bulbs to give your garden the revitalisation it needs for summer. An abandoned garden can be the deciding point for a sale.
 

Clear that clutter
De-stress yourself in preparation. One of the most stressful things about moving house is packing, and a house filled with unwanted junk can be off-putting for a buyer who can’t see past it. A clear environment is a clear mind. Declutter your house by taking the stuff you were going to throw away anyway to a local charity shop (for example, Wandsworth Oasis) so that the move can be as smooth as possible.  

Wash the windows
There’s not much to see from your windows in winter except darkness, bare trees, wet weather and if you’re really lucky, the odd bit of sunshine. So you might not have noticed that your windows may have become a little murky. Let there be light! Allow the natural brightness to flood your home and revive those senses. With longer days, summer is the perfect season to get those windows sparkling, allowing buyers to enjoy the glorious view your property has to offer. Small improvements like these are essential, it can really make your home stand out from others.
 

Ditch your decor
There’s no need for a new paint job if it’s not necessary, but the material décor you already have can make a huge impact. Try to depersonalise your home by removing those treasured family photos to allow buyers to imagine theirs in their place instead. Begin to pack away ornaments and keepsakes. The odd jobs can make a huge difference in the way others will feel about your home. Don’t let anything distort their imagination. 
 

Complement with colour
It may seem obvious, but colour in the home can be much needed following the dreary winter spell, it’s a fantastic way to brighten up rooms (and moods) in an instant. Pantone’s colour of the year is Greenery, inspired by nature, the great outdoors and new growth – all things associated with summer. Lift buyer’s spirits with subtle green accessories and fresh illuminating flowers across your home.

Summer is a great season for anyone looking to sell or let their property, and first impressions really do count. If you’re considering selling your home, head to Marsh & Parsons and have a look at their expert selling advice for some extra tips in presenting your home to its full potential: https://www.marshandparsons.co.uk/articles/selling-advice.

Marsh & Parsons Tooting is an award-winning estate agent and one of our valued Community Partners. Find them at 29-31 Upper Tooting Road, SW17 7TS. Call John-Paul (sales) or Miles (lettings) on 020 8115 8053. Find out more on their website, and follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Find out more about our Community Partners here.