Blog

Oct 30 2025

Why Bespoke Home Marketing Is Essential for Selling Unique Homes

30Oct

When it comes to selling a distinctive property, generic estate agency methods rarely do justice to homes with charm and character. Many sellers wonder why some properties attract eager buyers swiftly, while others remain on the market for months. The answer often lies in how the home is presented. This is where premium property marketing and bespoke home selling come into play.

What Is Bespoke Home Marketing?

Bespoke home marketing goes beyond simply taking photographs and listing a property online. It is a carefully curated, personalised service that highlights your home’s unique story and appeal. Imagine your home expertly staged with fresh flowers, tasteful accessories, and thoughtful touches that create a cosy and inviting atmosphere. Alongside professional photography, a beautifully designed brochure and engaging descriptions help potential buyers visualise living in your space.

Unlike standard listings, bespoke marketing targets the right audience with lifestyle photography and compelling narratives. It showcases the essence of your home, not just its rooms, making it stand out among exclusive property listings.

The Benefits of Tailored Marketing Strategies

Every home has its own personality, whether it’s a period property with intricate details or a modern home with stunning views. Traditional estate agency methods often overlook these nuances, treating every listing the same. However, your home deserves more than a one size fits all approach.

By investing in tailored marketing strategies, you are not just selling a property. You are sharing a story that resonates with buyers seeking something special. This approach typically results in stronger buyer interest, competitive offers, and a selling price that reflects your home’s true value. High end property sales require expert property advice and a personalised service to achieve the best results.

The Team Behind the Magic

At Sawdye & Harris, we collaborate with a team of professionals who bring your home’s story to life. From talented photographers who capture the perfect atmosphere to skilled copywriters who craft emotionally engaging descriptions, every detail is handled with care. Home staging and virtual tours further enhance your property’s appeal, ensuring it stands out in a competitive market.

Our process includes a thorough property valuation and market appraisal, followed by a seller consultation to understand your goals. We offer negotiation expertise and discreet property sales for clients who value privacy. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our client testimonials, which highlight the effectiveness of our tailored approach.

Who Benefits Most from Bespoke Marketing?

While bespoke marketing may require a greater initial investment, the rewards are significant, especially for unique homes or those in prime locations. Tailored marketing strategies help you reach buyers willing to pay a premium for distinctive features or exclusive settings.

Even homes that have struggled to attract interest can find new momentum with a fresh perspective and a personalised presentation. Discreet property sales and off market property sales are available for those who prefer privacy during the property selling process.

Moving Home Tips and Expert Support

Selling a property is a significant life event, and our team is here to guide you every step of the way. From the initial seller consultation to the final negotiation, we provide expert property advice and moving home tips to make your transition as smooth as possible.

Ready to Begin Your Home’s Story?

Selling your home deserves a marketing plan as unique as the property itself. If you are considering bespoke home selling or would like to explore premium property marketing options, contact us today.

WRITTEN BY Katie Griffin Read more

Oct 24 2025

Time To Reassess: Your Property's Asking Price

24Oct

If your home has been on the market for a while without any bites, you might be contemplating a reduction in your asking price. This step is often suggested by estate agents when they run out of strategies, motivation, and, crucially, confidence in the current price.

But is lowering your asking price truly the best way to sell your home more effectively?

For some properties, a price drop can indeed spark new interest from buyers who previously found your home out of reach. This move may be essential for sellers facing urgent relocations or potential repossession.

However, for many homes (especially those in the premium segment) reducing your asking price isn't always the solution and can even detract from your chances of attracting serious buyers.

To assist you in navigating this decision, we’ve put together a list of DOs and DON’Ts regarding price reductions to help you achieve the outcome you desire and move forward with your life:

DON’Ts

Avoid dropping your asking price by less than 10%
A minor reduction won't significantly impact buyer interest. Typically, buyers consider homes priced within 10% of their budget, so a drop of at least that magnitude is necessary to attract new attention.

Don’t make frequent small price cuts
Multiple small reductions can raise suspicions among buyers about potential issues with the property. A history of frequent price drops can signal red flags, making your home less appealing. Instead, aim for one substantial reduction.

Don’t attempt to exceed the highest price in your area
Setting a price above the highest sale in your neighbourhood can make buyers anxious and deter surveyors. Unless necessary, keep your asking price below the highest recent sale in your locality.

Don’t give buyers an excuse to offer low
Ensure your home is beautifully presented. A well-styled property enhances its appeal and helps buyers envision their future there. If you're interested in our home styling services as part of our marketing strategy, feel free to reach out, we'd love to assist!

DOs

Do inquire why a price reduction is needed
Your home was initially valued based on solid research by a local expert. Understanding any changes in market conditions or demand will empower you to make informed decisions about whether to lower your price or hold firm.

Do adjust to the next Rightmove price band
Check Rightmove for appropriate pricing bands. For instance, if your home is listed at £399,999 but the band starts at £400,000, aligning with these bands will increase visibility in buyer searches.

Do ask your estate agent the right questions before reducing
If you’re feeling pressured to lower your price or have time constraints, discuss alternative strategies with your agent. Consider enhancing your marketing approach; new lifestyle photographs or unique shots could attract fresh interest.

Do allow some negotiation space, but not excessively
Generally, expect to achieve around 95% to 97% of your asking price after negotiations. For example, if you reduce an asking price from £400,000 to £375,000, you might ultimately receive significantly less due to the negotiation losses.

Do calculate your price per square foot
This method can provide a more accurate valuation than other approaches. Create a comparison spreadsheet of similar properties in your area to understand how yours stacks up.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes it’s more beneficial to move on than to hold out for a slightly higher price. If you’re facing deadlines or personal reasons for selling quickly, it may be time to adjust your expectations and embrace the next chapter of your life. If you’d like to discuss this further, we’re here to help, get in touch here.

WRITTEN BY Katie Griffin Read more

Oct 17 2025

Tips for Captivating Property Photography

17Oct

When you put your home on the market, every viewing is a milestone and an opportunity for potential buyers to imagine their future there. High-quality images are often the first impression buyers get, so ensuring your home stands out is essential. Following these steps will help your property shine online and in person while supporting premium property marketing and bespoke home selling strategies.

Step 1: Boost Your Kerb Appeal — The Power of First Impressions

Kerb appeal sets the tone for selling unique homes and high-end property sales. A welcoming, well-maintained exterior can make buyers feel instantly drawn to your property.

Front Door Makeover
Begin with the front door. A fresh coat of paint and polished fittings create a sense of care and attention to detail. Small improvements like these enhance exclusive property listings and support your tailored marketing strategies.

Light Up the Entrance
Outdoor lighting plays a key role in both professional photography and viewings. Well-lit entrances create a warm atmosphere and highlight the property’s features.

Tidy Up the Pathway
Remove clutter, leaves, and garden tools to ensure a clear, inviting path. Clean surroundings complement discreet property sales and off-market property sales where buyers expect a pristine presentation.

Clear and Visible Signage
Ensure your house number is easy to read. Clear signage assists with a smooth process seller consultation and demonstrates attention to detail.

Sparkling Windows
Clean windows let in natural light, enhancing property photography and creating a bright, airy impression.

Add a Touch of Greenery
Potted plants or climbing flowers bring life to the front garden, supporting home staging and professional property photography.

Step 2: Create an Interior Wow Factor — Style That Speaks to Buyers

The interior of your home should reflect the lifestyle buyers aspire to. Thoughtful styling reinforces high-end property sales and bespoke home selling services.

Cushions and Throws
Vibrant cushions and soft throws add texture and colour, enhancing professional photography and virtual tours.

Rugs That Transform
Neutral-toned rugs define spaces and create cosy, inviting rooms, a vital aspect of selling unique homes and exclusive property listings.

Simple Fruit Displays
A glass bowl of fresh fruit adds a modern, stylish touch that appeals during viewings and online marketing.

Floral Arrangements
Flowers add elegance and charm. A central vase of lilies or small wildflower posies enhances home staging and professional photography.

Luxurious Touches in Bathrooms
High-quality toiletries and fresh towels create a luxurious feel. These small details convey the value associated with high-end property sales.

Fresh Bedding
Neutral, well-styled bedding with textured throws encourages buyers to envision restful retreats, supporting tailored marketing strategies and client satisfaction.

Step 3: Final Touches — The Little Details That Make a Big Difference

Small details can transform a viewing into a memorable experience, which is essential for bespoke home selling and property selling success.

Close Doors: Internal doors left closed allow buyers to explore freely, enhancing the sense of discovery.

Hide Laundry and Clutter: Clear surfaces improve professional photography and the overall impression of your home.

Manage Pets: Removing food bowls and litter trays supports discreet property sales and off-market property sales.

Fresh Air and Comfort: Ensure good ventilation and a comfortable temperature to make buyers feel at home.

Toilet Seats Down: Small touches contribute to a polished, professional appearance.

Setting the Mood: Subtle scents, gentle lighting, and soft background music create an inviting atmosphere that complements virtual tours and home staging.

Ready to Make Your Home Shine

Selling a home involves careful planning and expert property advice. By focusing on kerb appeal, interior styling, and thoughtful final touches, you can enhance high-end property sales, increase interest in exclusive property listings, and ensure a smooth property selling experience.

For professional guidance on property valuation, market appraisal, negotiation expertise, and personalised service, our luxury estate agents are here to help. Our tailored marketing strategies, professional photography, home staging, and virtual tours ensure your property receives the attention it deserves.

Read client testimonials to see how we assist sellers with off-market property sales and bespoke home selling. For practical moving home tips, process seller consultation, or to discuss selling unique homes, Contact Sawdye & Harris today.

WRITTEN BY Katie Griffin Read more

Oct 09 2025

The Home Survey Rating System: All You Need to Know

09Oct

When buying or selling a property in the UK, the essential conveyancing process involves a series of mandatory checks from qualified surveyors. While these checks are invariably out of your hands, it pays off to understand the condition rating system they use, as it could inform your next steps (if you’re buying a property) or highlight vital areas that need addressing (if you’re selling).

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has developed a standardised traffic light system that makes survey reports accessible to all home buyers. Understanding the essential parts of these reports and their significance can help you in your property buying or selling journey, as they can do anything from streamline the process to grind it to a complete standstill.

What is the home survey traffic light system?

All RICS home surveys utilise a straightforward colour-coded rating system that instantly communicates the condition of different property elements.

Certain RICS chartered surveyors will adopt their own variations and indicators for defects, but the general colours indicate N/I (not inspected) to 3 (red - defects that are serious and need urgent investigation), providing a clear visual guide that helps buyers understand the property's condition at a glance.

The four main condition ratings are:

Condition rating 1 (Green): No repair is currently needed. The property must be maintained in the normal way.

Condition rating 2 (Amber): Defects that need repairing or replacing but are not considered to be either serious or urgent. The property must be maintained in the normal way.

Condition rating 3 (Red): Defects that are serious and/or need to be repaired or investigated urgently.

N/I - Not Inspected (Grey): Not inspected.

Conditioning Rating 1 (CR1) - Green

A green rating indicates that the surveyed element is in good or excellent condition with no substantial or urgent defects observed. It suggests that the element or component being assessed requires no immediate repairs and should be maintained in the usual manner.

That said, even if you find an abundance of green-rated areas, it can help to identify other maintenance tips or construction methods that can inform future property care and home improvements.

As far as house buyers are concerned, green ratings provide reassurance that the property is in good condition as a whole, and that it’s well-maintained. For sellers, green ratings confirm the value and condition of their property, and can support their asking price.

Conditioning Rating 2 (CR2) - Amber

Amber ratings indicate that the element or condition being assessed shows defects, signs of wear and tear or issues that aren’t immediately vital but would require attention in the near future.

Common examples include (but are not limited to):

Loose roof tiles

Worn exterior paintwork requiring renewal

Minor plumbing leaks

Windows needing resealing

Garden boundary issues

It indicates that certain elements, while not being in premium condition, are functional and not an immediate cause for concern. Amber ratings usually indicate defects that should eventually be addressed by repairs or replacements.

That’s not to suggest that amber ratings should be entirely ignored. It’s important to pay close attention to the report’s information on potential future problems that may arise should these issues be neglected or overlooked. A RICS home condition report with amber ratings aplenty should help inform your decision-making process, whether involving committing to the purchase, renegotiating, or considering alternative options. Consider seeking specialist quotes for amber-rated conditions or elements as well the surveyors’ advice on maintenance and future obstacles related to the addressed element(s).

Conditioning Rating 3 (CR3) - Red

Red ratings signal serious defects, significant issues and major maintenance requirements of unique elements or components that demand urgent attention.

These might include:

Structural movement or subsidence

Major roof defects allowing water ingress

Electrical installations requiring complete rewiring

Heating system failures

Serious damp or timber decay issues

Red ratings usually indicate issues that must be immediately repaired, replaced or investigated further. The problems raised must never be ignored, and should always be taken seriously before completing a purchase. It’s recommended to seek further investigation into any problems highlighted by red ratings.

The extent of the information divulged in RICS survey reports will often depend on whether you opt for the most extensive (Level 3 report) or the most rudimentary (Level 1 report) option. The more in-depth your report, the more information you will unveil about the conditions or elements of the property you are looking to buy or sell.

How ratings can be helpful in property decisions

The rating system provides powerful negotiation tools for both buyers and sellers.

If you’re in the process of buying a home, any highlighted amber or red ratings can be used to request price negotiations based on expected repair costs, or request that sellers complete works before contracts are exchanged. Sellers, conversely, can benefit from understanding these ratings to demonstrate proper care to potential buyers and even achieve better sales prices (if their report contains plenty of green ratings.)

While the traffic light system provides a basic level of categorisation, the insights put forth by professional RICS surveyors are often more helpful. They assess the most pressing challenges of properties first, with comprehensive advice for remediation, in line with new modern survey standards in an attempt to maintain transparency. This ensures buyers can receive reliable, standardised information regardless of the surveyor they choose to inspect their potential future home.

Property age, while it can be a factor in structural quality, doesn’t always correlate with bad condition ratings. Well-maintained Victorian homes may achieve more green than amber or red, while neglected modern homes may show the opposite. The rating system is designed to help you look deeper than surface aesthetics and isolate a property’s true condition.

Buy or sell quality homes in Devon today

Whether you're buying or selling a home in Devon or the surrounding areas, don’t seek the easy way out, and instead get the best possible advice and support. At Sawdye & Harris, our experienced team guides clients through every aspect of property transactions, from initial valuations through to completion. Contact Sawdye & Harris today to discuss how our expertise can help you navigate property surveys, negotiations, and achieve your property goals.

WRITTEN BY Katie Griffin Read more

Oct 03 2025

The Power of Floorplans: Enhancing your home's marketability

03Oct

You would not set off on a journey without a map, so why start the next chapter of your life without a clear guide for buyers? That is exactly what a floorplan provides, a straightforward visual tool that helps buyers understand a property before they even step inside.

Why Floorplans Matter

While professional photography, home staging and virtual tours are essential parts of premium property marketing, floorplans hold a unique power. They provide potential buyers with a clear understanding of the layout and flow of a home. Imagine trying to picture how your furniture fits or how children’s rooms connect without a visual guide. A well-designed floorplan adds clarity, keeps buyers engaged and supports the selling unique homes process.

See the Space Clearly

Buyers want to know the size and shape of each room with precision. Instead of hiding these details in long descriptions, a floorplan displays them clearly. Unlike styled photographs that show a space filled with someone else’s furniture, a floorplan offers a blank canvas for imagination. This transparency builds trust, which is key for high-end property sales and bespoke home selling.

Visual Flow Makes a Difference

Most buyers are visual learners. Floorplans allow them to mentally walk through a home, connecting rooms in ways photos alone cannot. This visual flow is particularly valuable in exclusive property listings, where unique layouts and features deserve to be presented clearly.

Orientation Matters More Than You Think

Including orientation details such as a compass rose can transform a buyer’s perspective. Knowing how the light falls throughout the day helps buyers picture mornings in the kitchen or evenings in the garden. For luxury estate agents, these subtle details elevate tailored marketing strategies and highlight lifestyle benefits that enhance a property valuation.

Square Footage: The Hard Facts

Buyers compare properties using hard data, and square footage is a key figure. Presenting this upfront demonstrates professionalism and confidence. In off-market property sales or discreet property sales, such detail reinforces credibility and attracts serious interest.

Creating Space Through Simplicity

Floorplans help buyers see beyond current clutter or décor choices. Where photographs might make a room feel small, a floorplan shows potential. This makes them a vital complement to other marketing methods and ensures the property selling process appeals to a wider audience.

Colour Coding for Lasting Impressions

After viewings, details can blur. A colour-coded floorplan helps buyers remember key features. Warm tones for bedrooms or cool shades for bathrooms create a visual memory that supports professional photography and virtual tours. This level of attention to detail demonstrates negotiation expertise and a personalised service.

The Complete Package

In a competitive market, omitting a floorplan may suggest corners are being cut. Including one shows care and professionalism, whether for a starter property or a grand estate. For clients selling unique homes, floorplans combined with home staging and expert property advice create the complete premium property marketing package.

Saving Time for Everyone

Floorplans help filter out unsuitable buyers, meaning viewings are more productive. This efficiency benefits sellers, buyers and estate agents alike. In the process seller consultation stage, a floorplan also informs the market appraisal, ensuring expectations are realistic and aligned with negotiation expertise.

Ready to Make Your Home Shine?

If you are considering high-end property sales, our luxury estate agents provide tailored marketing strategies, professional photography, home staging, virtual tours and expert property advice. We specialise in bespoke home selling, exclusive property listings and discreet property sales supported by client testimonials.

If you’re eager to learn more about how we create our unique floorplans and help maximise your home’s potential, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us here.

WRITTEN BY Katie Griffin Read more