Presentation is key in selling your home
Before you list your house for sale, you may want to take a step back and think about the presentation of your home and follow these 8 tips to prepare your house for sale. If you are planning to sell your house for the highest possible price, there are a few things to consider attracting quality buyers.
You may not be able to please everyone with your property, but you can increase your chances through some changes. The fact is that most buyers are looking for a house they can immediately move into with as little work as possible.
If you are serious about selling your home, you should take the time and solve any problems or appearance issues that could be holding you back. Therefore, we have compiled a few tips to help increase the value of your home and make your home sell quickly.
#1 Make Minor Repairs
There’s a big difference in how seller markets work and a buyers’ market works. In a seller’s market, you can get away with some issues regarding the condition. But in a buyer’s market, the condition of the home can quickly turn off buyers.
What to look for:
- Cracked or chipped tiles
- Holes in walls
- Leaky faucets
- Doors that don’t close
- The kitchen draws that jam up
- Mouldy and dirty tile grout
- Paint peeling
- Normal wear and tear
It pays to stay on top of repairs like fixing simple things. Buyers will remember a property, and this is why you want to set the best impression you can.
#2 Focus on curb appeal
The curb appeal of your property makes a first impression that impacts buyers the most. It’s the first thing they see when they inspect your property. Even if your home is perfect inside, some potential buyers may not consider your property if the street appearance is not appealing.
Common things you can do:
- Mow the lawn, as well as trimming the edges
- Tidy up garden beds
- Tidy up shrubs and trees
- Paint the fence
- Resurface or repair your driveway or footpath
- Paint the exterior of your house
- Remove wasp and bird’s nest from eaves or doorways
- Replace old or worn-out locks or doors
Staying on top of your curb appeal means you won’t have to put too much effort into it when you are selling. You can even consider hiring a landscaper to help. But keep in mind the cost of your efforts, and don’t overspend on something that won’t add value to your property.
#3 De-clutter
When it comes to presenting your home, less is more. Your home is likely to feel more spacious if you can declutter and minimise extra furniture in rooms. For example, if your wardrobes are drawers are half-full, they may look like more useable space for a buyer.
For kitchens, this may be limiting the number of appliances so that buyers see more benchtop space. The fact is that clutter in rooms can distract your buyers, and this is not what they want them to see.
#4 Clean, Clean, Clean
Something that can quickly turn off a buyer is a dirty or dusty home. It’s important to make sure you clean your house before you start inspections. It is worth the effort to make sure your home is clean of dust and dirt.
This includes every aspect of your interior, from dusting bookshelves to steaming your floors. If your carpets are stained or old, consider replacing them or having them shampooed. Buyers will notice even the small things when you put your house for sale.
#5 Pay attention to smells
It’s often said that some buyers buy with their noses. Any odour in your house has the potential to scare away buyers, whether it’s mould to smelly cooked foods. Buyers pay attention to these smells, especially in homes that have been smoked in.
The kitchen, living room and bathrooms are the key culprits of odours. You may not notice these smells, but the buyers sure will. Be sure to follow the “clean” point (above) because most of these odours can be eliminated this way.
#6 Send your pets while you sell
This sort of follows the “smell” point (above). Although you may love your furry friend, it may not be the case for buyers. It may be worth the while to consider leaving your pets with friends while you list your house for sale.
This can be pet odour, hairs, and other pet-related products you have. These things can immediately put off buyers, so be sure to consider this step.
#7 De-personalise
You personalise your home to make it feel like home, but this is not the case for potential buyers. When buyers inspect your home, they are interested in how their circumstances will fit in your home. For this reason, it’s worth the effort to remove any homey touches like family photos and personal items from rooms. Doing so will give people a chance to imagine how the home would look like if they bought it.
#8 Add some fresh paint
Adding some fresh paint to your house is one of the easiest ways to add value to your home. It can be used to make your house appear tidier and cover up old marks and stains that have accumulated. New paint makes it easier for buyers to imagine how they would set up a space.
Using light coloured and neutral tones will appeal most to a wider range of potential buyers. These types of colours help appear the room more spacious and create a blank canvas feeling for buyers.
You may not need to paint all your property if it’s in good condition. The exterior may be where you could focus, such as trims and the door. This is a great DIY way to spice up your house, or you can hire a professional. But remember that a bad paint job can be more harmful than good.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are serious about selling, preparation is critical for getting the highest price possible. Most of the things you can do are inexpensive and require some extra effort. Be sure to keep in mind what you are spending and how it adds value to your home. Aim to fix all the little things and create a space that buyers will fall in love with.