Taking a little time to prepare your home for sale can make a significant difference to the sale price. A beautifully presented home could boost the sale price of your property by thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars. There are a lot of practical reasons why people buy a particular property, such as close to the kids school or convenient to the shops. But never underestimate the power of a buyers emotion - “It just felt right.” If you want buyers to fall in love with your property it’s important to have it looking its absolute best.
Following are some handy tips which may help you to maximise the value of your home and create that special atmosphere during inspections.
Around the grounds (homes & townhomes)
Create a strong first impression by presenting the front of the home in its best light. Stand across the road and cast a critical eye over the entire exterior, including paths & the nature strip.
Prepare your garden so it looks its best for the marketing period.
Keep lawns cut and garden beds weeded & tidy.
Prune back any overhanging branches, especially close to windows to encourage natural light inside the home
Attend to paths & driveways - weed, pressure clean, lay fresh gravel, or resurface, if necessary
Ensure all windows are clean and that the exterior is free of cobwebs & dust
Check fences are in good condition & repaint if necessary.
Check the condition of external walls, awnings, woodwork and gutters, and clean or paint where necessary
Dress up outdoor areas with furniture or pot plants.
During inspections, hide rubbish bins & fold away the clothes line, if possible
Inside
Address any DIY jobs & minor repairs you have been meaning to get done. Unless the property is being marketed to the renovator, most buyers are put off by a long list of maintenance jobs.
Consider a fresh coat of paint to walls, but choose neutral tones that will appeal to a wider audience.
Ensure skirting boards, architraves and doors are free of marks and touch up, if needed.
Less clutter gives the impression of more room so start packing away items you don’t need & store excess furniture to ensure rooms are as spacious as possible
Steam-clean your carpets if necessary.
Remove photos & memorabilia, so buyer can see themselves living in your home
Check all lights are working and replace bulbs if necessary, to ensure rooms are light and bright. During inspections, turn on lights in all rooms and draw back curtains & blinds for more light.
Leave door mats at all entrances to encourage people to wipe their feet and protect your carpet.
Fresh flowers around the home are always popular on inspection day.
Make sure the home is comfortably cooled in summer & heated in winter
Ensure rooms smell fresh, with no lingering pet, cigarette, or cooking odours
Once on the market, your home is like a showroom, so ensure it is always immaculately clean.
Hallways
Keep this area as uncluttered as possible so people can move freely.
Living & Family rooms
Re-arrange furniture to highlight the rooms features, like a bay window or a fireplace
De-clutter the room to emphasise space, and put away children’s toys and old newspapers
If existing furniture is mismatched, consider hiring furniture for the period your home will be open
Turn off the TV, but tune the stereo to an easy listening station on low volume
Kitchen
Polish taps & chrome appliances to make them shine, and remove dishes from the sink & draining board.
Minimise appliances on bench tops to emphasise clear, useable surfaces
Create pleasant aromas with brewing coffee or muffins in the oven
Take the kindergarten paintings off the fridge door
Bathroom & Laundry
Place all cosmetics, razors and toiletries into a drawer and hang fresh towels neatly
As buyers scrutinise bathrooms, ensure your shower screen, floor, drains, grout, bath and vanity are spotless
Bedrooms
Put all clothes away & make the beds neatly
Keep dressing tables and desks as tidy and clear as possible
Find a safe place for valuables such as jewellery, watches & expensive perfume
Remove any controversial or offensive posters from children’s rooms
Pets
Remove Kitty Litter trays and dog bowls and take pets with you when you leave the house during inspections.
Now. . .
Few prospective buyers can relax with the owners standing by, so it is best to leave during inspection times
Leave the rest to us – walk out the door with the knowledge you've done everything you can.
