The Staging Estate Agent

30/09/2026

🏡 Why Choose a Local Estate Agent?

There is something genuinely valuable about working with an estate agent who knows the area they are selling in.

For me, that means more than knowing an average £ per sq ft.

A good local agent should understand:

• How different roads and pockets of an area compare.
• What has actually sold recently and what is competing with your home now.
• The types of buyers looking locally and what they tend to ask about.
• The schools, stations, parking, walks, cafés and day-to-day details that often matter during a viewing.
• How to position your home so its location and lifestyle are part of the marketing, not just the postcode.

Local knowledge also makes conversations with buyers much more useful. You can answer the questions that don’t necessarily appear on a property listing and help people understand what living there might actually feel like.

For me, estate agency should be personal, knowledgeable and hands-on — not simply putting a property online and waiting.

That is a large part of why I chose to work differently.

Emma Sturgess-Lief Powered by eXp
The Staging Estate Agent
M: 07902 400065
E: [email protected]
W: www.emmasturgess-lief.expuk.com

29/09/2026

🏡 5 Simple Ways to Refresh Your Home’s Exterior

A buyer’s first impression doesn’t start in the hallway. It starts outside.

Fortunately, improving the exterior doesn’t necessarily mean spending a fortune.

1. Refresh the front door
A clean or freshly painted door, smart ironmongery and clear house numbers immediately make the entrance feel cared for.

2. Add well-chosen planters
A couple of attractive pots can bring colour and life to an entrance without making it feel overdone.

3. Clean windows, paths and driveways
Grime, moss and dirty glazing can make a property feel tired. A proper clean often makes a surprisingly big difference.

4. Tidy the garden
Trim hedges, remove dead planting, sweep leaves and make sure bins, hoses and everyday clutter aren’t dominating the approach.

5. Finish the little maintenance jobs
Peeling paint, loose guttering, broken lights or a tired fence can all affect how cared-for the property feels.

It matters online too, because the exterior photograph is often one of the first images a buyer sees.

Kerb appeal really does begin the viewing before the viewing begins.

Emma Sturgess-Lief Powered by eXp
The Staging Estate Agent
M: 07902 400065
E: [email protected]
W: www.emmasturgess-lief.expuk.com

29/09/2026

🔍 7 Questions to Ask During a Home Viewing

It’s very easy to walk into a property, fall in love with the kitchen and completely forget half the sensible questions you meant to ask. 😂

Keep these seven with you:

1. What is included in the sale?
Ask about fixtures, fittings, appliances, curtains, sheds and anything else you may assume is staying.

2. How old are the important parts of the property?
Ask about the boiler, windows, roof and any significant renovations or extensions.

3. What is the area really like?
Think about transport, schools, parking, local amenities and what matters to your own day-to-day life.

4. Are there any known issues?
It is perfectly reasonable to ask about damp, leaks, structural work, drainage or recurring maintenance problems.

5. What are the ongoing costs?
Council tax, service charges where applicable and the EPC are all useful to understand.

6. How long has the property been on the market?
It gives you useful context about the sale and the level of interest so far.

7. Why are the owners moving?
The answer can simply help you understand the circumstances and likely timescale.

And if it’s leasehold, also ask about the lease length, service charge, ground rent if applicable and any planned major works.

A good viewing should give you much more than a tour of the rooms.

Emma Sturgess-Lief Powered by eXp
The Staging Estate Agent
M: 07902 400065
E: [email protected]
W: www.emmasturgess-lief.expuk.com

29/09/2026

🚫 Home Selling Mistakes to Avoid

Some of the biggest mistakes when selling a home happen before the first viewing has even taken place.

1. Overpricing
An ambitious asking price can reduce interest before buyers ever step through the door. Pricing should be based on evidence, current competition and how your property actually compares.

2. Neglecting repairs
Small jobs can have a surprisingly big impact on first impressions. Dripping taps, peeling paint, damaged sealant or unfinished DIY can all suggest more work than there really is.

3. Poor presentation
Overcrowded rooms, too much personal clutter or spaces that don’t have a clear purpose can make it harder for buyers to understand the home.

4. Ignoring the exterior
The viewing begins before the front door opens. A tidy entrance, clean windows, cared-for planting and a smart front door can completely change that first impression.

5. Choosing an agent for the wrong reasons
The highest valuation or lowest fee does not automatically equal the best result. Look at the marketing, communication, local knowledge, viewing strategy and how the agent plans to position your home.

Good property marketing is about understanding your likely buyer and presenting your home at its absolute best.

Emma Sturgess-Lief Powered by eXp
The Staging Estate Agent
M: 07902 400065
E: [email protected]
W: www.emmasturgess-lief.expuk.com

28/09/2026

📦 Decluttering Before Moving

Decluttering before a move is one of those jobs that sounds very sensible… until you open that cupboard. 😂

The easiest way is to start early and tackle one area at a time.

• Keep — things you use, love and genuinely want in the next home.
• Sell — good-quality items you no longer need.
• Donate — things that can have a useful second life.
• Recycle — anything that has reached the end of its useful life.

Pack away anything you won’t need over the next few weeks and look honestly at excess furniture too.

If you’re selling, there is an important difference between decluttering and stripping a home bare. You still want warmth, personality and enough furniture to help buyers understand how each room works.

The aim is to create breathing space, improve flow and help buyers see the home rather than the belongings.

And the bonus? When moving day arrives, you’ve already done a large part of the horrible job. 😁

Emma Sturgess-Lief Powered by eXp
The Staging Estate Agent
M: 07902 400065
E: [email protected]
W: www.emmasturgess-lief.expuk.com

27/09/2026