Get taken to the cleaners

Spring has sprung and the flurry
of activity is mirrored by a
geeing up of the housing
market. As we emerge from our winter
dens, the need to grab a duster has
been overtaken by an urge to up sticks
and fly to a shiny new nest.

But first we must persuade others
that our hovel is exactly what they’re
after. TV shows such as House Doctor
(C5) reveal just how unappreciative a
potential buyer can be of an
Aztecthemed loo, and encourage us to box
up our individuality to maximise the
selling potential of our homes.

Firstly, no amount of colourcoordinated abstract art will seduce a
surveyor so, if you’ve managed to
keep on top of maintenance, it’s a plus.
But if something major needs doing,
it’s usually best to bite the bullet.

De-clutter

Maintenance aside, your property
needs to look appealing. The key is to
de-personalise, and that means
de-cluttering. On BBC2’s The Life
Laundry, presenter Dawna Walter
makes her subjects spill the guts of
their homes on the front lawn, then,
along with their emotional blockages,
ruthlessly strips them of junk.

But few of us are inclined to sort
through every bit of our forgotten
stuff. Luckily, there are people who
can help. Who you gonna
call? The Clutter Busters.

Annya Ladakh, founder of the UK’s
first clutter consultancy
service Clear Space, says it’s
not a property’s size that counts
but ‘what people perceive
to be the size when they walk
in’. For about £50 per hour, Annya
will visit you, first assessing what
needs attention, then helping you sort
and remove your assorted flotsam.

Annya says that four out of five of
her clients throw loads out, but if you
really can’t bear to part with your tat,
she will discuss self-storage options to
hide it during the selling process.

There are several clutter consultants
in the UK; if you’re reluctant to
expose your horrific mess to a
stranger, some companies offer
telephone consultations. Sue Kay of
No More Clutter offers a one-hour
initial call, with follow-ups as
required, for around £40 per hour.

Clean, clean, clean!

If you don’t want to pay someone to
de-clutter your life or otherwise, there
are a few things you can do yourself.

The smell of a freshly cleaned room
will do more for your sale than a waft
of fresh coffee. Getting someone to
look after pets will help, too. Remove
family photos and other personal
items and, if you put stuff in storage,
remember the market is competitive —
check websites for discounts.

Make sure the outside of your
house looks presentable; buyers
often make up their minds before
they even get through the door — a
lick of paint and a hanging basket
won’t go amiss. Maximum gain for
minimal effort. Nancy Durant

Clear Space,

Tel: 020 7233 3138.
www.clear-space.co.uk

No More Clutter,
Tel: 07974 076 675.
www.nomoreclutter.co.uk

ABC Selfstore,

Tel: 0800 015 0895.
www.abcselfstore.co.uk

Big Yellow Self
Storage, Tel: 0800
83 4949.
www.thebigyellow.co.uk