In today’s slower property market, staging your home has never been more important. With buyers taking their time and comparing more options, those small finishing touches can make a surprisingly big difference. Simple steps like decluttering, adjusting lighting, and adding warm, welcoming details can instantly make a property feel brighter, more spacious, and far more homely.

Effective staging helps potential buyers imagine themselves living in the space, making your home stand out as more desirable and memorable. It’s a cost-effective way to attract attention and give your property the best possible chance of achieving a strong result. From my experience valuing properties and preparing them for market, I’ve seen first-hand how a few finishing touches can transform a home’s appeal, both in photographs and in person.

Here’s what to focus on when you’re getting ready to sell:

First Impressions: Curb Appeal

The very first thing buyers see is the outside of your property, so it’s worth spending a little time there.

1. General maintenance can go a long way from clearing pathways, removing any weeds and mowing the grass.
2. Adding some greenery and colour: Simple touches like hanging baskets or potted plants are a nice touch to make the property more welcoming.
3. Think about marketing photos: The front shot is often the lead image on all property marketing portals and websites. It’s also what people see if you have a “For Sale” board up, so it really does influence whether someone picks up the phone to book a viewing.
4. If you have a driveway, consider moving your cars for the photographs and during viewings so buyers can appreciate the space properly.

Getting the interior ready – Presentation goes a long way

1. Declutter and clear kitchen counters, desks, and surfaces. Kitchens help sell houses, many buyers focus on the kitchen first, only leave out a couple of practical appliances, and tuck away bulkier items (yes, even the air fryer!). Empty bins and remove bags, coats, or shoes from the floor.
2. Keep it homely: Don’t strip everything away, as empty rooms can feel cold. The goal is to create a neat and tidy but still lived in environment.
3. Personal items: You may wish to store away children’s artwork and family photos for both the photographs and viewings.

Upstairs: Bedrooms and Bathrooms

1. Bedrooms: Make beds neatly with pillows, throws, or cushions, and put laundry away. Hoover carpets to give a crisp finish.
2. Bathrooms: Shower curtains being neatly to one side, toilet seats down, limiting the number of products visible. Smaller touches like polishing taps and mirrors and ensure everything sparkles and looks its best.
3. Lighting: Open blinds and curtains to let in as much natural light as possible so the space feels bright and welcoming.

Gardens: Tidy, Not Transformed

You don’t need to embark on a full landscaping project, but gardens should look cared-for.

1. Cut the grass and sweep patios or decking.
2. Replace any broken fence panels.
3. Keep it simple and tidy so buyers can imagine how they’d use the space.
4. Removing any covers from garden furniture
5. Adding some colour by placing a few flowerpots.

Final Finishing Touches

It’s often the little extras that make the difference:

1. Set the dining table with crockery and glasses to suggest entertaining space.
2. Add fresh flowers or a bowl of fruit in key rooms.
3. Place a throw over the sofa to make living spaces feel warm and welcoming.

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At Cross Keys Estates, we pride ourselves on presenting every property at its absolute best. Our photography is always professional and high-quality, ensuring your home stands out from the very first glance. Each listing is accompanied by an in-depth, knowledgeable description that captures the full character and potential of the property.

We also maximise exposure through targeted mail-outs to large audiences and active promotion across social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok. With great attention to detail and a commitment to getting every finishing touch just right, we work hard to create a strong impression and help you achieve the best possible sale.

When buying or selling a property, trust is the most essential factor. This is one of the most significant decisions you will make, and you need to know that everything your agent is doing is in your best interest. This is why our service and your reviews are so important to us at Cross Keys.

Most people looking to buy or sell will check reviews before contacting an agent. Positive reviews strengthen our reputation and build trust between our clients and us. They help clients decide which agent to instruct, as we hope that each review reassures them that they have made the right decision in selling or purchasing a property. Just as when you choose a restaurant or a place to stay that is unfamiliar to you, we all tend to rely on recommendations and reviews from family and friends. Reviews are crucial, and depending on their content, they can significantly contribute to a company’s growth, whether by highlighting areas for improvement or reflecting a five-star experience.

Potential clients always look at reviews to learn about genuine experiences from past and current clients. In a competitive market, reviews can sometimes be the deciding factor in which agent a client chooses. Reassurance can mean a lot, whether the client is knowledgeable about the process or needs more guidance from the start.

We always aim to ask our clients for a review on different occasions throughout the process. For example, it is vital for us as a company to receive feedback following day-to-day viewings, during negotiations, once a property has exchanged, and again once the property has been completed. This demonstrates our interest in hearing our clients’ thoughts and experiences, whether about a specific transaction from start to finish or about their broader search for a new home.

Building a good rapport with our clients is essential. It allows us to build strong, genuine relationships and to foster continued business in the future.

Every review is targeted at a different audience, whether it is an investor selling properties, first-time buyers, or people selling to buy a new home. Reviews show that we can help everyone. Here is a lovely review from a first-time buyer:

“Great team. Very friendly and helped answer my questions. Made sure to keep me up to date on details and helped explain what would happen next. Highly recommend for first-time buyers.”

Alfie Bennett

This lets other first-time buyers know that we are a reliable agent who can cater to everyone.

Hello again everyone and welcome to the third instalment of my guide to different aspects of life in Plymouth. With just about three months to go until Christmas, the mornings are getting colder and darker, and I’ve already noticed my food choices shifting to more seasonal dishes. It’s definitely the time of year when I start planning ahead – not just for Christmas, but also for a positive start to the new year. So I thought I’d share a few of the things I’ll be looking out for in and around Plymouth to keep life fun.

Oktoberfest – 25th October

The first event that springs to mind for October is Oktoberfest. Plymouth’s version is held in a huge Bavarian-style tent, complete with steins of German beer, bratwurst, pretzels, Oompah bands and traditional drinking games. It really does capture the Bavarian party atmosphere – lederhosen and dirndls included! If you’re up for lively music and plenty of laughs, this is one not to miss.

Just a Bunch of Hocus Pocus – 26th October

For something a little more family-friendly, The Box is hosting Just a Bunch of Hocus Pocus. I love that they’re encouraging everyone to dress up in their scariest outfits. Expect craft activities, magical science experiments, music and dancing – a real spooktacular. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to stay on afterwards to try the special Halloween menu in the café (just remember it’s card-only).

A Season of Theatre

Plymouth Theatre Royal is one of my favourite places to spend an evening, and their upcoming programme is brilliant. You can catch Juliet & Romeo, Black Sabbath – The Ballet, The Woman in Black, Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes and That’ll Be Christmas music extravaganza. And of course, they always round off the year with the panto, which I’ll talk about later.

Big Nights at Plymouth Pavilions

The Pavilions never disappoints either. This season includes John Bishop, a Michael Jackson tribute, Bastille, Riverdance at 30, Fisherman’s Friends, and Jools Holland with his orchestra. They’re even throwing an 80’s themed Christmas meal and party – which sounds right up my street.

Lights, Markets and Shopping

For me, the Christmas build-up really begins with the light switch-on, which this year is on 15th November. From mid-November onwards, you’ve got late-night shopping and the city centre Christmas market running right through December. I love the atmosphere when the market stalls are up – mulled drinks in hand, browsing for presents, all wrapped up against the chill.

The Santa Run – 29th November

I’ve done this one myself and I can honestly say it’s pure fun. The Santa Run is a 3km dash (or jog… or walk!) through the city – but the best part is that everyone is dressed as Father Christmas. It’s impossible not to smile when you’re part of that red sea of Santas.

A Different Kind of Christmas

Normally, I do Christmas in a very big way, but this year will be a first – I’ll be away with my husband enjoying some winter sun. Lots of people choose to do the same, opting for something less formal and, often, less expensive than the traditional celebrations. If you’ve got family travelling down, another option is to book one of the many Airbnb apartments or houses in Plymouth, which can make hosting much easier.

Planning Ahead

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that you really do need to book ahead in Plymouth at this time of year. Restaurants, pubs, cinemas, clubs – they all get packed. Roads and car parks get just as busy too, so sometimes I prefer to leave the car at home and use Park & Ride or hop on a local train instead.

Festive Drinks on the Barbican

The Barbican is always my go-to for catching up with friends in December. It’s a mecca for socialising and has everything – cosy pubs, cocktail bars, fish and chips, fine dining. Personally, I can’t resist a hot mulled cider at this time of year – it feels like Christmas in a cup!

Shopping – High Street to Hidden Gems

I love a good wander around the Barbican’s cobbled streets in December, dipping into the independent shops, antique stores and artists’ studios for presents. If you stray off the beaten track, there are so many little treasures – even quirky charity shops and lovely tea rooms.

Of course, there’s also Drake Circus for the big names. I always find myself in M&S for mum and dad, and Primark for nieces and nephews. If you’re looking for something more special, Allum & Siddaway and Michael Spiers Jewellers are both nearby, with Breitling and Omega tempting the watch-lovers.

Nightlife in December

With university students heading home for the holidays, the nightlife shifts a little and becomes more local. The bars and clubs are still lively, but many do charge entry fees at this time of year – so it’s worth bearing in mind.

Comedy at Marjon – 10th October

I can’t finish without mentioning comedy – one of my favourite nights out. Myra DuBois is performing at Plymouth Marjon University on 10th October. I’ve already got my ticket, and if you enjoy sharp wit and bold humour, I’d recommend it.

The Panto!

And of course – the panto. Oh no it isn’t… oh yes it is! This year it’s Dick Whittington, starring Shane Richie. He’s always hilarious, and it’s the perfect way to round off the year.

Wrapping Up

So that’s my guide to Plymouth this autumn and winter – from Oktoberfest steins and spooky science to mulled cider on the Barbican and panto laughs at the Theatre Royal. There really is something for everyone.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading Part 3, and I’ll be back in the new year with Part 4. Until then – take care, have a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.