‘Lessting’: the trend sellers should embrace

When you sell your home, you’ll want as many people to be impressed as possible. Buyers will make an assumption about your property within seconds, whether that’s when browsing photos online or looking at your property during a viewing.

Repeated surveys of purchasers have revealed clutter is one of the most off putting aspects. While chaos and junk are a ‘hard no’ for some, others will reduce their asking price to account for conditions.

How much less a buyer will offer if the property is crammed with clutter was quantified by Rated People. Its annual home improvements trends report discovered a messy, muddled home would see an offer decrease by an average of £9,290. 

With spring just around the corner and more sellers active in the market (Rightmove’s February House Price Index found the number of new sellers is 13% ahead of where it was last year), there is a renewed focus on property presentation.

Thankfully, a fresh trend has arrived just at the right time. ‘Lessting’ is all about embracing fewer things in your home and we’re encouraging sellers to get on board. The trend was noted after a survey of 2,000 people by One Poll for Dr Beckmann.

The results revealed more of us are keen to live with less in our lives. Those most enthusiastic to simplify and streamline were people aged between 45 and 60 years old. In this age bracket, 55% have bought into the idea of ‘lessting’.

The result may reflect the habits of an age group more commonly moving to downsize or who are empty nesters, using a changing household configuration and the thought of a smaller property to let go of possessions. It’s not an easy task, however, with the survey showing 24% of 45 to 60 year olds found it difficult to let go of family heirlooms and sentimental gifts.

At the other end of the spectrum are Millennials – those aged 29 and 44 years old. This age group is embracing ‘lessting’ for a very different reason. Twenty four percent of Millennials are decluttering so they can sell unwanted items – made easier thanks to marketplace apps such as Vinted and Depop. Another 34% feel living with less brings them more joy.

‘Lessting’ is a great concept wherever you are in the moving journey. If you’re getting ready to sell your home, a clean, clutter free property will look its best in photos and in the flesh, while encouraging potential purchasers to offer close to the asking price. 

If you’re a buyer, having fewer possessions means there is less to move, saving you on removal fees. It also opens up the possibility of looking at a variety of property sizes and types, perhaps with less storage space. 

After conducting hundreds of viewings, seeing the reactions of buyers and gathering feedback, we know that less is definitely more when trying to sell your property. We’d be happy to provide presentation advice ahead of coming to market, so get in touch.