Getting ready to sell your house? Then it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work! Selling a home involves a whole lot more than just planting a “For Sale” sign on your front lawn or uploading a few random photos to the internet – especially if you’re aiming for the most cash. (And, honestly, who isn’t?).
So, before you put your house on the market, take a look at this list of essentials that you need to consider in preparation. Some of these tips are surprisingly easy, while others might require a bit more effort. But they’re bound to pay off once potential buyers start snooping around.
Find a great real estate agent (This is where we come in!)
Find a real estate agent who is knowledgeable about your specific market and who can provide helpful services throughout the entire selling process.
Your real estate agent should be someone you feel comfortable working with, and whom you trust to sell your house for top dollar.
Some questions you should ask your agent:
- How much is my property worth (with or without upgrades)?
- How much will it cost to sell my home?
- How will you advertise my property?
- When is the best time to sell?
The first impression is the only impression
For better or worse, buyers do tend to judge a book by its cover. You want to make sure potential buyers feel warm, welcome and safe and that their first impression of your home is a great one! This will be what inspires them to stop by the open house so they can see more.
Do some inexpensive upgrades, such as adding light fixtures, replacing the mailbox, or sprucing up the landscaping with some inexpensive plants and colourful flowers.
By investing some effort in a few relatively easy fixes, the outside of your house can signal prospective buyers to come on in.
Depersonalise and Declutter
Less is definitely more when it comes to getting your house ready to show. The more personal your space, the fewer potential buyers can imagine themselves living there.
Remove all personal items and photos, as well as bold artwork or furniture that might be overpowering to some. And then tackle behind closed doors: closets, drawers, and cupboards – since virtually nothing is off-limits for curious buyers and we want them to feel like there is ample space for their own belongings.
Not only will clearing clutter help your house look more appealing to buyers, it will also help you once you’ve accepted an offer and it’s time to move into a new home. Moving out will be easier if some of your stuff is already packed.
Quick fixes
You might love that bright green accent wall, but if it’s your potential buyer’s least favourite colour, that could be a turnoff.
Get a new fresh coat of ‘neutral’ paint on the walls. This offers potential buyers a blank slate to envision what the walls would look like with the colour of their choice. Clean the curtains or go buy some cheap new ones. Replace door handles, make sure closet doors are on track, fix leaky taps and clean the grout.
And maximise the light in your home. Clean the windows, swap the lampshades and up the wattage in the light bulbs. Do whatever it takes to let the light shine in on potential buyers!
Don’t forget to patch any holes in the walls, clean up the scuff marks and replace broken appliances. No problem is too small in the eyes of a potential buyer.
Small issues send the message that the home has not been well taken care of. They could also indicate that there is other more costly neglect taking place.
Add some plants
Professional styling of your home before you sell will almost always result in more interest, but if it’s not something that fits within your budget, the simple addition of plants creates a bright and more welcoming environment. You might also want to consider a vase of flowers or a bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter.
Conduct a smell test
Unpleasant odours, even slight ones, can be a deal-breaker!
To add a pleasing smell, bake before an open house, or light a fresh-smelling candle. Keep it subtle because anything too overpowering will smell suspicious, like you’re trying to hide something.
Clean, clean, clean
Once you’re done cleaning your house, clean some more!
Even if you’re not worried about what buyers will think of your home’s scent, you want your property to look spotless.
Think of it this way: You’ll probably have professional photos taken of your house when it looks its best. Naturally, you’ll want your house to always look like it does in those pictures. Your house needs to be “show ready” at all times because you never know when a buyer will walk through that front door.
Putting your home on the market is a big job – one that you don’t have to do alone. If you’re thinking of selling, call us today to make an appointment.
Donna Etchells - McGrath Estate Agents 