Preparing Your Home For Sale
The preparation of your property and and creation of a good first impression is vital when it comes to putting your property up for sale. Consider firstly preparing a budget, and carefully consider whether any money spent will be recouped by the extra price your property may fetch. Whilst a new roof on your property may greatly improve the property from a structural point of view, it’s unlikely that you will recoup the money spent on this. On the other hand, having your property painted may well increase the price you can fetch by considerably more than the money you have spent on this.
A budget will depend on the individual property being sold (value, location, property type, age etc.), but as a general rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to spend as little money as possible. Consider allocating any money you do spend on making your house sparkle and shine, rather than on structural changes or reparations. Ask family and friends to help out in preparing your property, and when all preparation has been done, be prepared to spend at least a few hours each week keeping your property in the neatest and cleanest condition possible. In this article in our ‘Sell My House’ series, we examine some tips for preparing your home.
Tips for Outside and Curb-side Appeal
Talk a walk around the block and take an objective view of how the outside of your property compares with other properties in the street.
• Make sure lawns are moved, weeds are removed, leaves a raked up, and trees are pruned.
• Ensure that all paths, driveways and patios are swept and clean.
• Remove any clutter from the garden (children’s toys, lawnmowers etc).
• Consider painting the exterior of your house if warranted, or cleaning the outside by renting a high-pressure washer.
• Clean away all cobwebs and wash the front door and all windows.
• Clean all gutters.
• Clean the pool if you have one.
• Make sure that bins are washed down and are not immediately visible from the front of the property.
• Replace or clean the front door mat.
• Ensure that the front door bell is in working condition.
• Make sure any gates are well oiled and open close easily.
Tips of the Interior
When it comes to the interior of your property, cleanliness and neatness are the two most important factors. Try getting rid of as much clutter as possible and focus the bulk of your energy and minor repairs and general cleaning.
• De-clutter! If you are still living in the property, consider putting some of your things in storage. Clutter can not only make the property feel smaller, but it also detracts from the aesthetic appeal of your home.
• If warranted, paint your house. White, off-white, and beige tend to have the most universal appeal. If you’re not going to paint your house, ensure that all walls are thoroughly cleaned.
• Steam-clean all carpets and polish any floorboards.
• Make sure all curtains, shutters and blinds are cleaned.
• Pay particular attention to the cleanliness of the kitchen and all bathrooms.
Make sure that there is no mould in the bathroom(s), and that water stains are eliminated as best possible. Polish chrome faucets and mirrors.
• Repair any doors or windows that need fixing.
• Check that there are no water leaks anywhere, and ensure that taps, showerheads etc. are not dripping.
• Clean fans, light fixtures, and dust or clean all furniture.
• Repair any cracks, holes or damage to plaster, paint and tiles.
• Ensure that the garage is cleaned and any items remaining are well organised and are presented as neatly as possible.
Tips for Inspection Days
When showing potential buyers through your property, there are a few simple things you can do to maximise the appeal of your property.
• Ensure that the property is neat and tidy, that you have vacuumed the floors.
• Make sure that there are no dirty dishes on the bench-tops in the kitchen, and no clothes lying around in the laundry or inside the washer/dryer. Also, ensure that dishwashers or washing machines are not running during the Open for Inspection.
• Put on some soft music in the background. This can help create a feeling of serenity and security, and will help create a more homely atmosphere.
• If you have pets, consider asking the neighbours to look after them during inspections or asking a friend to take these on them (in the case of dogs) for a walk while you show potential buyers through your property.
• Make sure that all blinds and curtains are fully open to allow as much natural light in as possible.
• Make sure all light globes are working and replace any that are burned out.
• Ensure that your property in well ventilated and free from any odours.
You may be accustomed to the smell of tobacco, pets, and cooking, but this is not the case for potential buyers. It’s always best to have neutral odour when showing buyers though.
• Consider the outside temperature, and adjust the temperature of your house according. If it’s a hot day, turn on the air-conditioning, and if it’s cold, make sure that heating is on to give your house a nice, cosy feel.
• Have some fresh flowers in your home.
• Be available to talk to buyers and answer any questions they may have.
Also prepare an information sheet that potential buyers can take with them with some general information about the property, photographs, contact details etc.
