When you think about selling your home, one of the first things you should do is walk through your property with fresh eyes, imagining you’re a potential buyer.
How does your home look? Is it welcoming, light and spacious? Is it clean and well cared for or cluttered and dusty? Can people easily imagine themselves living there or is it full of your personal stuff?
Taking a little time to prepare your home for sale can make a significant difference in both the time it takes to sell and the sale price you achieve.
Here are some simple tips to make a great first impression:
Curb Appeal - Your property needs to look great from the street, so that as soon as prospective buyers arrive, they’re excited about coming to take a closer look. Spending just a few hours on improving the entrance can create the right energy the moment buyers see your home for the first time.
Front Door – The front door is the first thing a potential buyer will see when coming to visit. It must be eye-catching without being too loud in order to give the right impression
Garden – It can often help the buyer make a decision therefore keeping your garden tidy is a must; make sure you mow your lawn and weed paths and gardens. Un-kept gardens are a clear sign a home is not cared for.
Kitchen – Being the heart of the home it is one of the most important rooms since we spend many hours cooking and eating in it. Be sure it is free of clutter with no dirty dishes, floors are cleaned, work tops and sinks sparkle and cupboards and drawers are tidy and easy to open.
Consider making simple improvements to the kitchen ie changing the kitchen cupboard doors, handles, changing the benchtop, or re-painting the walls are all quick and easy changes that can vastly improve the feel and appeal of the room.
Bathrooms – Whatever condition your bathroom’s in, it must be clean! Nothing puts a buyer off like mildew and a dirty loo! Clean dirty grout and mildew. Ensure cupboards are clean and neat. Remove surface clutter and personal toiletries. Accessorise with plush towels and luxury toiletries. Don’t forget to polish tapware and mirrors.
Living Areas – Buyers like large living areas so be sure to reduce the clutter and maximise the space.
Bedrooms – After the number of bedrooms buyers are most interested in the size. Use neutral colours to make your room seem larger and limit the amount of furniture. If the room is small consider using a double bed instead of a queen or bunks?
Re-decorating – Buyers may not have the same taste as you so it is safest to stick with a neutral colour palette. You can add colour by adding accessories that you can take with you after the sale.
MOST IMPORTANT - Tidy up - There is nothing worse than an untidy house, no doubt it can be a put off. Spring clean your home from top to toe. Wash windows inside and out, waterblast decks and paths, clean away cobwebs and dust everything including light fittings and furniture.
With a little bit of housekeeping, sellers can go a long way to making the sale they’re after.
Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.