<http://schema.org/articleBody>
" As the\u00A0UK property market starts to heat up, it&amp;#039;s vital to make\u00A0sure that during a viewing\u00A0your home stands out for\u00A0all the right reasons. Any part of your property that looks like it might require work will be picked up by viewers, making them think twice, or at the\u00A0very least putting in a reduced offer. Often,\u00A0it&amp;#039;s the little things that are quick, easy and cheap to fix that help potential buyers get a sense of how well the home has been looked after, so not crossing off that DIY to-do list could end up costing you. Here are the top 5\u00A0property niggles that put off potential buyers, and\u00A0tips on how to resolve them from Adam Kay, lead engineer at home repairs and service provider Rightio. 1. Being led up the garden path  Viewers can often rule out a property before they&amp;#039;ve even walked through the front door. Mow the lawn and trim the hedges to show off the outside of the house and immediately convey that the house has been well maintained.\u00A0 For security-conscious buyers, you may also want to consider replacing shabby old locks with insurance-approved dead latches and five-lever mortice deadlocks. Make sure your garage door opens properly as any prospective buyers will want to see inside.\u00A0 A PIR (Passive Infrared Sensor) security light, which is instantly activated by movement, is a must-have for the driveway. Starting from as little as \u00A312, it&amp;#039;s a cheap addition to your property that will bring further reassurance to viewers. 2. Junk and disorderly  Many of your potential buyers will have outgrown their current houses, and will therefore be considering your home as one that could give them that extra space. If your house is cluttered and they can see that you are running out of space too, it could put them off. Attics, sheds, storage cupboards and garages tend to accumulate the most junk and stuff you don&amp;#039;t use, so start decluttering here. This will allow your buyer to see all the space your home has to offer and start imagining where they will put all their belongings when they move in. Remember, you could even earn yourself a few pounds by selling the things you no longer need or want on auction sites or at car boot sales. Plus, fewer belongings of your own will mean less stress and lower removals fees when you yourself finally move out. 3. Painting a poor picture  An oldie but goodie. Buyers&amp;#039; eyes are usually drawn to ceilings and walls as they look for signs of damp or leaks. Brightening up your property, and covering signs of historic issues long since fixed with a fresh coat of paint is a very affordable way to reassure buyers that they are looking at a well maintained home. The kitchen is a fantastic place to start \u2013 a quick coat of paint removes any dank grease stains and creates a light and airy, welcoming space. In bathrooms, mouldy sealant and grimy grout are immediate ways to put off prospective buyers as they will be looking for a low-maintenance, clean and relaxing space. Resealing is a quick and very inexpensive job that even the least experienced DIY-er can tackle. If regrouting isn&amp;#039;t an option, you can get grout gleaming again by applying a mixture of bicarbonate of soda with vinegar, and scrubbing with a toothbrush. 4. Spark of inspiration  Remember that lighting is a very important aspect in setting the mood of your home. When showing buyers around, make sure all the lights are switched on \u2013 and working \u2013 to make your home as bright and inviting as possible. You may know it&amp;#039;s just a blown bulb rather than a potentially expensive electrical issue, but your viewer won&amp;#039;t. It&amp;#039;s also indicative of the care you&amp;#039;ve taken of the property as an owner \u2013 if you&amp;#039;ve not bothered to change a lightbulb, what are the other bigger jobs that you haven&amp;#039;t dealt with? Also, be aware that homes are often subject to building inspections before a sale can be approved, so consider a professional electrical inspection first. This will identify potential faults quickly and efficiently and make sure there aren&amp;#039;t any factors which could hold up a sale. 5. Blowing hot and cold  Making sure that your whole heating system is functioning properly is key to making the property cosy, warm and inviting. Not only is a toasty house nice and homely, making the viewer instantly relax and feel positive, but it subconsciously reinforces the idea that this will be a low maintenance property that&amp;#039;s easy and cheap to heat. Bleeding all radiators is a cost-free and speedy way to ensure that rooms can be heated as quickly and efficiently as possible. You don&amp;#039;t want stray clunks and bangs from the boiler to ruin the ambience and set viewers&amp;#039; alarm bells ringing. Also, savvy buyers will definitely want to know more about your boiler and will factor its condition into how much they&amp;#039;re willing to pay. Make sure you clue yourself up as much as possible about your boiler (such as age, make and model) and keep your boiler&amp;#039;s instruction manual to hand. A recent boiler service could also reassure your buyer as well as ensuring there are no ominous noises to frighten them. Although this isn&amp;#039;t a job you can carry out yourself, it doesn&amp;#039;t need to be an expensive one - Rightio offers boiler servicing from as little as \u00A339.\u00A0 For further information on national home repairs and servicing provider Rightio, visit www.rightio.co.uk Keep up-to-date with our inspiring ideas, latest looks, real-life homes and expert advice by signing up for our FREE newsletter\u2026  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.housebeautiful.co.uk/renovate/homes-makeovers/a702/top-5-things-that-put-buyers-off-and-how-to-tackle-them/>