Hendon & Finchley Times
October 16, 2003

Ian Walters has been living in a time-warp. His semi-detached house in Holders Hill Drive, Hendon, is the one he grew up in 40 years ago. Having inherited it five years ago, he now sleeps in the same bedroom he slept in all those years ago. The house is full of clutter … a jumble of his own and his parents’ furniture.

All this would not be a problem if he was not trying to sell the house.

But Ian, 47, wants to move to Gloucestershire. He put the house on the market in June for £335,000 and has since lowered the asking price to £309,000 – but still no takers. Ian decided he needed help and enlisted the services of a ‘house doctor’. For a fee of £75, Lisa Gershinson, 37, of Dollis Park, Finchley, will go to Ian’s home, have a look around, and tell him what he needs to do to make his house an attractive prospect for buyers.

“The biggest problem is clutter, dirt, too much of people’s own stuff,” said Lisa, a qualified interior designer.

“The most important thing is to depersonalise the house – people don’t want to see a wall full of pictures of dogs and cats. It tends to be a question of putting throws over sofas, making sure there is a smell of coffee in the air, and giving the place a lick of paint.”

Ian’s house looks good from the road. Then we go inside.

The place is not dirty. But slightly peeling wallpaper, worn carpet and old curtains create a fusty atmosphere.

There is discord between the lilac, light green and orange on the walls and the floor and the almost antique-style desks, chairs and cabinets, with display shelves filled with dusty glasses.

Lisa considers for a moment – and then lets rip.

“People hang on to stuff they will never use and get attached to it. But it’s not going to look or smell nice. It’s a good idea to get everything out, but not necessarily just to put it in the loft. To have that weight above your head is not a great idea. It’s a whole energy field.

“The hall is important because it’s your first impression. You could take up the carpet and sand the floorboards. It’s a job that people don’t want to do.

“You could spend about £1,500 on the house to make it sellable. It seems like a lot. But if you don’t spend the money you may end up spending it anyway by holding on to this house and not getting the house you want in Gloucestershire. This place has a lot going for it – it’s a quiet road right near a park. The location is brilliant,” she says.

Now it’s up to Ian – will he splash the cash? He’s making no decisions on the spot. But he has taken what Lisa said on board.

“I can only feel the weight of stuff in the house when I think about it. I had a clearout quite recently and I’m sure the house grew a couple of inches,” he said.

“It is strange living where I was raised – that’s one reason why I am going. I’m finally growing up.”

To contact house doctor Lisa Gershinson, call 0208 346 4797.