St Donarts, Wales – 5 Bed Farmhouse/Barn

By the time I first saw the house in June, work was already underway to complete a number of ‘odd jobs’ and to decorate/freshen up the bedrooms, and the kitchen, following the last tenancy. Family members had been recruited to spruce up the large gardens, and colourful bedding plants had been bought and borrowed to brighten up the front garden.

During the consultation we discussed at length local agents, appropriate selling features, the feedback from a previous attempt to sell the house and ideas about the launching the property this time.

Having spent a few years living in Australia and New Zealand, where the whole buying and selling process is very different to ours, the owners were keen to launch with an ‘open house’.

Although not adverse to this idea, the chosen agent didn’t have huge open day experience, but encouragingly, was very keen to sell the house and more than happy to go along with our detailed plans and viewing arrangements.

Partially furnished, the 5 bedroom farmhouse still had some large items of furniture upstairs and downstairs, with various paintings and accessories stored here and there that could be used for styling purposes. I measured the rooms, discussed suggestions with the client and put together a quote for furnishing, accessorising and styling all the rooms of the property.

Eager to get moving and only having about 10 weeks until they left the country again, the open day was advertised before any styling work had actually taken place.

Over a 2 day period, furniture was moved, spaces defined and the rooms were all styled with a mix of vintage, and new furniture to give the historic property a comfortable, homely, ambiance.

In the end, two open days were held, both a great success with 12 interested parties booking to view.

A cash offer was accepted the day after the second open day and an unbelievably smooth sale went through well within their (hoped for) timescale.