Fresh bread not enough to tempt buyers, say experts

Homeowners looking to sell-up need to do more than ever to lure buyers, according to industry experts.

While the smell of freshly baked bread and hot coffee might have once been enough to pull in potential buyers, sellers now need to rely on a wider range of tactics if they want to get their house off the market. Property journalist Graham Norwood spoke to a number of estate agents around the country who said it is important for buyers to look at everything from offering agents incentives for making a quick sale, to making changes to a property ahead of a visit, in order to appeal to a certain type of buyer.

Sensible pricing is important to make sure potential buyers are not excluded, while getting the right photographs of the property is a must in order to attract sellers and make the house stand out.

Flexibility on behalf of the seller is necessary, and property expert John Howard said a willingness to move out in order to accommodate a buyer can make all the difference.

Getting rid of clutter is key, according to Edward Church of Strutt & Parker. He said sellers should "hide, burn or otherwise destroy all the redundant oddities that you’ve grown attached to" in an effort to make a property look neat and free of clutter.

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