Devon


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="666" height="500" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/tierra-mallorca-rgJ1J8SDEAY-unsplash-666x500.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-26127" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/tierra-mallorca-rgJ1J8SDEAY-unsplash-666x500.jpg 666w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/tierra-mallorca-rgJ1J8SDEAY-unsplash-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/tierra-mallorca-rgJ1J8SDEAY-unsplash-768x577.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/tierra-mallorca-rgJ1J8SDEAY-unsplash-699x525.jpg 699w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/tierra-mallorca-rgJ1J8SDEAY-unsplash.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px" /></figure>



<p>House on the market and buyers not biting? If there&#8217;s one thing more stressful than getting zero offers, it&#8217;s loads of people viewing and still getting zero offers. No-one wants to make expensive and potentially pointless changes mid-sale and although we all think we know the little tricks to make our home viewing-ready (coffee on and smelling sweeter than a barista&#8217;s beard), it&#8217;s easy to get snow-blind. </p>



<p>One woman who knows all the tricks and traps when it comes to buying and selling is ace South Hams property finder, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Grace Jephson (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.stacks.co.uk/stacks-dartmoor-and-south-hams/" target="_blank">Grace Jephson</a>. Grace has every Rightmove-scroller&#8217;s dream job &#8211; finding fantastic homes for a living so what she doesn&#8217;t know about scouting out a dream home isn&#8217;t worth knowing. </p>



<p>So, Grace, tell us all. What can we do to turn a potential buyer into a real one? </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1/Sell the lifestyle</h2>



<p>First, off remember that the bricks and mortar is only half the story; you&#8217;re also selling the lifestyle that comes with your home, so make sure you tell the story. If it&#8217;s an outdoorsy type of life, strategically place a few laidback photos of you at having fun at the beach or romping on the moors with the family. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2/Hello fresh</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="334" height="500" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/grace-jephson-1-334x500.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-26103" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/grace-jephson-1-334x500.jpg 334w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/grace-jephson-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/grace-jephson-1-768x1150.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/grace-jephson-1-350x525.jpg 350w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/grace-jephson-1.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 334px) 100vw, 334px" /><figcaption>Pic credit Ksenia Chernaya</figcaption></figure>



<p>Of course, you&#8217;re going to tidy up before someone comes to nose round your house but Covid has really ramped up the need for cleanliness. Leave some jobs to the last minute, especially if you have kids (or husbands) who go around after you un-doing your good work. Replace hand-towels, brush welcome mats, wipe smeary mirrors and and clear those crumbs on the working surface which magically appeared since you wiped down. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3/ Even a tiny kitchen needs a dining space</h2>



<p>You may have a supersize dining room but viewers still like a space to sit where they cook, even if the kitchen is miniscule. It just needs to be a spot to perch while you grab a coffee or read the paper while the lasagne is on. Think teeny bistro set or a stool next to a clear spot on the working surface.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4/Lighten up </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="480" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/Lush_Creative_264033731-720x480.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-26109" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/Lush_Creative_264033731-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/Lush_Creative_264033731-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/Lush_Creative_264033731-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/Lush_Creative_264033731-787x525.jpg 787w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/Lush_Creative_264033731.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<p>Throw those curtains wide! Light is more important than ever now we&#8217;re all spending so much time living and working in our homes. Don&#8217;t be afraid to use artificial lighting, like a well-place lamp on a corner of a landing. Finally, keep all your furnishings light, using throws and cushions over dark fabrics if you need to.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5/ Work it</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="420" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/pretty-desk-unsplash-1-1-720x420.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-26125" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/pretty-desk-unsplash-1-1-720x420.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/pretty-desk-unsplash-1-1-300x175.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/pretty-desk-unsplash-1-1-768x448.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/pretty-desk-unsplash-1-1.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<p>You might not have an office but it&#8217;s currently important to have at least a nod to working from home. Create a work-space in a quiet corner with some office-style furniture. The minimum is a desk, a good-looking lamp, a decent chair and a shelf or two holding some books. (Tip: avoid the swivel chair on wheels &#8211; this is home not the office). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">6/Go for petal power</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="333" height="500" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/Lush_Creative_323755118-333x500.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-26104" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/Lush_Creative_323755118-333x500.jpg 333w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/Lush_Creative_323755118-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/Lush_Creative_323755118-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/Lush_Creative_323755118-350x525.jpg 350w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/Lush_Creative_323755118.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 333px) 100vw, 333px" /></figure>



<p>The old ones are the best: fresh blooms in a vase are <em>always</em> a good thing. A beautiful bouquet makes a room inviting, and adds life and fragrance. Better still, if they&#8217;re obviously picked from the garden you&#8217;re selling the lifestyle too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">7/Get in trim</h2>



<p>The garden, that is. An overgrown plot suggests your home is too much like hard work, so don&#8217;t spare the secateurs. If your garden is large or you have a greenhouse, sell the benefits by showing off the harvest, with piles of freshly-picked apples or berries in bowls, or jars of home-made chutney and pickles. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">8/Do a Marie Kwondo</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="333" height="500" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/vacant-gray-leather-tub-chair-in-room-2343468-333x500.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-26107" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/vacant-gray-leather-tub-chair-in-room-2343468-333x500.jpg 333w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/vacant-gray-leather-tub-chair-in-room-2343468-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/vacant-gray-leather-tub-chair-in-room-2343468-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/vacant-gray-leather-tub-chair-in-room-2343468-350x525.jpg 350w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/vacant-gray-leather-tub-chair-in-room-2343468.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 333px) 100vw, 333px" /></figure>



<p>De-clutter. Piles of stuff everywhere suggest you&#8217;re short on storage space and no-one likes that. Have a good sort out and chuck unwanted stuff or at least hide it all in cupboards where they won&#8217;t look. Viewers shouldn&#8217;t have to wade through coats and boots in the hall, so either hide them away for the viewing or create the storage in attractive wooden storage trunks or boot poles. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">9/Appeal to the decision maker</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="480" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/Lush_Creative_264033576-3-720x480.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-26105" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/Lush_Creative_264033576-3-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/Lush_Creative_264033576-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/Lush_Creative_264033576-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/Lush_Creative_264033576-3-787x525.jpg 787w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/10/Lush_Creative_264033576-3.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<p>We all like the areas we use a lot to look, well, useful, so make sure the wardrobe and dressing areas look tidy and inviting. If you don&#8217;t have a utility room, create a laundry area. The insta-version &#8211; not the dirty football socks, obvs &#8211; so, think lovely washing baskets, pretty peg holders, piles of thick, freshly laundered towels. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">10/ Mirrors work</h2>



<p>They bounce light around, trick the eye into thinking a space is bigger than it is and can be artworks in themselves. In older properties (or a dank courtyard), go for distressed vintage-style mirrors which create a welcoming shimmer without the bling. </p>



<p><strong>On the hunt for a property in lovely Devon?</strong> Get Grace on the case! Call <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Grace Jephson (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.stacks.co.uk/stacks-dartmoor-and-south-hams/" target="_blank">Grace Jephson</a> at Stacks Property Finders on 01803 732128 or 07508966975.</p>


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