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10 tips for preparing your home for sale
June 29th, 2011 | Posted in General | No Comments
Buyers today are taking much longer to make up their minds, viewing an average of 19 properties before finally making a decision. And when they finally do put in an offer, it’s usually well below the asking price.
Here are 10 basic rules you should bear in mind before putting your house on the market:
Get some kerb appeal
First impressions count and people usually form their first impression within 30 seconds. The front of your house is a good place to spend a little extra time and money. Plant flowers, trim bushes, weed, pick up leaves, repaint your front door, replace tarnished house numbers , get a new doormat, park your old car around the corner.
Clean up your act
Clean your house from top to bottom before putting on the market. Consider having a weekly cleaning service while selling – it will be good investment. Make sure your windows are clean inside and out too.
Get your fix
Been putting off fixing that dripping tap or a cracked tile? Do it now! These will send the wrong message to potential buyers.
De-clutter
This may be the hardest rule of all! We love our clutter – it reflects our memories, hobbies, and values. But it doesn’t sell homes! Clutter makes homes seem smaller and disorganised. Think Feng Shui.
Take a neutral stance
Neutral colours sell. It’s a fact. Try to convey an image of quality and neutrality so that potential buyers walking through your home can imagine themselves as the owners. If you use styles or colours they would never select, you’ve just turned them off. Stay high-quality, but neutral is safest. And this leads nicely into our next tip…
De-personalise
Remove objects that your potential buyers won’t be able to identify with. For example, political and religious items may turn off whole groups of buyers, because they cannot imagine your home as their home. Buying a home is an emotional decision, and you want potential buyers to make an emotional connection with your home by being able to “see” themselves in it.
Pet Control
Although you may love your pets, they can be off-putting to other people, and smells can be offensive, so make sure there are no lingering odours in furniture or flooring, and if there is, get them cleaned before you sell.
Define each area
Buyers need to know what each room is for, so that they can decide where they will place their own items. Sell the lifestyle and you’ll sell your house.
Shine a light
Make sure you have adequate lighting in every room, use subtle mood lighting to create the right atmosphere in each room and check all your bulbs work.
Accessorise
By using the right accessories, you can enhance your rooms and create a feeling of unity by using harmonious colours. Use mirrors to reflect light and space, and use plants and fresh flowers to bring life to rooms and add a natural fragrance.