If you’ve completed your home renovation project and you’re having difficulty shifting it in today’s sluggish, fearful and frankly over-priced housing market, then why not try selling it liken a Scandinavian?

What people from Norway and Sweden, in particular, do when they’ve decided to put their home on the market is to scrub it to within an inch of its life and completely de-clutter the place to give the illusion of space and order.

There are even companies that specialise in providing this exact service – of making a home look absolutely spotless, calm, de-cluttered and, in short, alluring!

When we’re looking at houses, we all kid ourselves that we can see past such obvious tactics to the basic shape and structures below. But the truth is that we can’t. We are all taken in to a greater or lesser extent by what goes in through our eyes – no matter how hard we try and override it with simple logic.

So when it comes to selling or buying a home – by far the largest investment decision most of us ever make – we’re no different. In Scandinavian countries, potential buyers simply expect to see a home presented at its absolute best and most polished.

But in other countries they don’t. So if you really want to sell, go for it with the cleaning equipment, de-clutter, buy a few choice pieces you’d like to take with you when you eventually do sell from Harveys Furniture or another reputable retailer.

Also, pick fabrics like quilt covers, cushions, rugs, curtains, and fabric sofa colours that complement the overall design and watch how quickly it sells.

Another good tip is to ask a friend who’ll be completely candid with you what he or she thinks of the place once you think it’s ready. A fresh pair of objective eyes can really help.

Happy cleaning!