Between finding the right real estate agent and securing the ideal price for your property, selling your home can be a stressful ordeal. You may find yourself harangued by sales people who want you to sign an exclusive agency agreement or auction your property.
There is undeniably a lot to decide when selling your home, however one important thing to remember is that first impressions count. Presentation is everything, and it’s imperative that you put your best foot forward to ensure your property is looking first-class when prospective buyers start knocking at your door. Not sure where to start? Here are a few top tips to help you prepare your house for sale.
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Spring Clean
Most real estate experts will tell you that buyers will browse through your home envisioning where they can position their own furniture and belongings; they cannot do this if your home is cluttered and unclean. Now is the time to give the exterior and interiors of your home a well-deserved spring clean. Start by using a gurney to clean the exterior of your home, driveways and decks. Clean windows, the roof, gutters, tiles, walls, make everything immaculate. If you’re time poor – and let’s face it most of us are – employ the services of a cleaning crew to get the job done. A full service cleaning company can take care of your carpets and the basic cleaning of the interior. It also very important to have your home treated for pests including cockroaches, spiders and termites before you list an inspection. Any sign of insect infestation will definitely send a prospective buyer running in the other direction, so make the investment and have your house treated for pests by a specialist company like Trusted Pest Management.
Touch up the Paint Work
Take a good look at the exterior of your home. Would a fresh coat of paint make a huge difference to the curb-side appeal of your house? Would painting the trimmings or the patio give your home a real facelift? What about inside? A fresh coat of neutral paint will enliven a tired living area and make your home much more attractive to buyers. If your paintwork is looking a little shabby consider touching it up.
Repair It
Whether it’s a leaking tap or some rotting wood on your patio, repair it. Any signs of disrepair will have prospective buyers wondering what else is wrong with the place. If everything is in good repair they will feel confident that the house has been well cared for and is in good condition.
Make it Spacious
Get rid of anything that makes your house look cramped. Go from room to room and take out extra items of furniture that clutter the space. Even if you have to hire storage until you sell your home it will be worth it to give buyers a sense of how spacious your home really is. Take everything off kitchen benches and clear the bathroom vanity of personal items. Remove family portraits and personal mementos.
Spruce up the Yard
Keep your lawn well mowed and raked. Get rid of any weeds, trim hedges and stray branches. Add a fresh layer of wood chips to garden beds and get rid of any clutter that is hanging around your backyard. You don’t have to spend a fortune on landscaping to make it look sharp.
While you cannot control the market, you can control how well you present in it. Take the time to implement some these tips and you will be on the way to positioning your home well on the property market. Happy selling.
