FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT for property buyers as vendor Jonathan Oakes discovered. After having his Darley Abbey home restyled in preparation for an open day, his property sold within a week. (After previously having around 70 viewings and no offers.)
Jonathan knew his bachelor pad needed “a woman’s touch” so called in professional home stager Lynn Pick to work her magic. And it did the trick, wowing friends, family and, most importantly, viewers… and resulting in an offer actually being made on the Open Day.
“Lots of people advised me against the makeover because people want to put their own stamp on a property when they move in but the reality is that people want to be able to move in to a new home without the upheaval of decorating or having to lay new carpets. I’ve lived here alone for 10 years or so and wouldn’t know matching curtains and carpets if they fell on me. The house needed a woman’s touch and particularly a professional touch to make it more appealing.”
Lynn Pick carried out the work at Folly Road. She said: “It’s amazing how many times this happens – a property can sit on the market for six months like this one, or even much, much longer. But we come along and lighten, brighten and refresh it, then it goes back on the market with a flurry of interest. Most potential buyers can’t see a property any other way – so if it’s tired, in need of an update, they can’t see beyond that. And in this case, around 70 viewings didn’t lead to even one offer, even though only the decor and carpets needed changing. The interest and excitement on the open day was great to see, and we received so many compliments on the style of the house, and how the indoors worked so well with the beautiful garden.”
Derby Telegraph
