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Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer share their best ever advice for home buyers and sellers

Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp have been delivering home buyers advice on Location, Location, Location for 20 years, pictured in 2015. (Getty Images)
Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp have been delivering home buying advice on 'Location, Location, Location' for 20 years, pictured in 2015. (Getty Images)

It’s fair to say that after 20 years helping rookie house buyers find their dream homes on Location, Location, Location, property gurus Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer know their stuff.

Considering we’ve spent two whole decades watching them dish out their no-nonsense advice about compromise and the reality of what-you-really-want versus what-you-can-afford, we now know a whole lot more about property too.

But the presenting duo, still have some fresh pearls of wisdom to share with those looking to buy or sell their home this year, particularly in this uncertain new world amid coronavirus lockdowns.

Watch: Why are house prices rising during a recession?

Answering some quick-fire interview questions in The Times, the pair were asked to give their best ever tip for buyers, and their responses were pretty useful.

Allsopp cautions prospective home owners to remember to view a potential purchase from all angles.

“It is not about kerb appeal,” she said. “It is about what you see in the house when you are looking out.

“You don’t live in front of your house, you live in it.”

Read more: Kirstie Allsopp opens up about sexism and says women 'can't have it all’

Which is worthy advice for anyone about to dismiss a house for its non-Instagrammability from the front.

Spencer’s advice was more practical and centred on fixing your budget and property requirements in your head, then seeking out the location that will fit that.

Crunch the numbers, set your budget and the space you require, then go find the streets and area that will give you that,” he said.

Allsopp and Spencer have some top tips for property buyers and sellers. (Getty Images)
Allsopp and Spencer have some top tips for property buyers and sellers. (Getty Images)

Read more: Mum gives people the chance to win her £125k house in £3 raffle

When it comes to offering their best advice for those hoping to sell their property, Allsopp says the most important thing is decluttering.

But she adds that sellers shouldn’t overlook the finer details when making their home look its best.

“For God’s sake, plump the bloody cushions,” she adds, in her typical cut-to-the-chase style.

Spencer believes those wanting to sell their property should focus on making it look its best online.

“In today’s clickbait world, it is all about the pictures,” he explains. “Anything to get people through the door.”

When previously asked if post-lockdown was a good time to sell-up and move Spencer urged wannabe movers to consider their motivation.

“Were you always planning to move or are you just sick of the sight of the same four walls?” he advised, in The Times.

“Avoid knee-jerk decisions. Be cautious. You don’t want to give your house away if the market doesn’t fall off, but equally you don’t want to ask too much for prices to fall.”

Watch: What is shared ownership?

Allsopp suggested that moving while the market is active could be a good idea.

“I would do it sooner rather than later,” she said. “I think there will be a lot of activity, a post-lockdown bounce for a while, because of the three Ds [death, divorce and debt], and people re-evaluating their lives and their commute.

“After the bounce, God only knows what will happen. I am not sure about a V-shaped recovery.”

Read more: Ordinary-looking three-bedroom house comes with a hidden skate park inside

Allsopp regularly shares her views on interior trends on social media.

The colour grey was voted the most popular interior paint colour in 2019, but the TV presenter urged caution for those thinking of grey-washing their entire home.

After admitting that she likes grey on furniture, kitchen cabinets and carpets, she warned that large expanses of grey can risk losing light.

“If you want to paint your walls grey, handle it with huge care,” she advised via Twitter.

“Always go for the palest shade. You don’t want a shade that will darken your walls. And remember that colours deepen when on four walls. Often people put samples on a patch of white wall but are surprised later when the finished room seems so much darker.”

This wasn’t the first time the presenter has sparked a home-related debate on social media.

Back in 2017, she lit up Twitter with a discussion about whether or not it’s hygienic to have a washing machine in the kitchen.

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