Preparing your home for sale is vitally important – it can help to sell your property more quickly, and more importantly, can add extra value to the sale price.
You don’t have to invest a ton of money to make your home more appealing to potential buyers – a few tips and tricks might just do the trick.
#Step 1 – Clear the clutter
It’s very important that people are able to visualise what the property would look like if they were going to live there.
So get rid of all excess items that have accumulated around the place – people like space. If you have large pieces of furniture, consider moving them out or re-arranging to make rooms look larger.
Put DVD’s/CD’s away, make sure the washing up is done, clear work surfaces, put laundry away, clear away toys and move pet beds away from living rooms.
#Step 2 – Clean like you’ve never cleaned before
Cleanliness is so important. It makes buyers feel that the home is well cared for. By cleanliness we mean, spotless and shiny, from the top of doorways to the corners of the floors and all the areas in between. There should not be a surface of the home that hasn’t been touched when the house goes on the market.
Pay particular attention to the kitchen and bathroom. The kitchen is the most important room in the house and can really make the difference when a buyer has doubts or is choosing between your property and another. Make sure that work surfaces are clean and tidy – clear surfaces to make the kitchen look bigger. Clean the appliances and remove any grease.
If your kitchen really has seen better days, you might consider changing the doors on the kitchen cabinets, which can be done relatively inexpensively and will make a significant difference to how the kitchen looks. Get rid of any limescale stains and clean or replace mouldy grouting in both the kitchen and bathroom.
Make sure the toilet is clean and fresh, the seat is down and the mirrors are gleaming. Put out new towels as they always look nice.
#Step 3 – Fix everything no matter how insignificant it may appear
Do any minor repairs, fill and repaint cracks and replace items that are broken or damaged. Make sure hinges are adjusted, taps don’t drip and any other minor issues are fixed. Even the smallest repairs can make a big difference when it comes to selling your home. You want your house to be in the best shape possible.
# Step 4 – A new lick of paint makes all the difference
A bright and airy home will give a feeling of space. Keep everything as neutral as possible by sticking to a cream or off white to maximise light reflection.
# Step 5 – The sweet smell of success
Bad smells are a real turn off! Make sure your property is well aired and smells good. Don’t just cover the smell – remove the source if you can.
Make sure waste bins are emptied, sheets & towels are fresh and pet bedding is clean. Open windows and clean surfaces with a fresh scented cleaner to remove cooking and smoking odours. Leaving a bowl of vinegar for a few days will help absorb the smell of smoke which will disappear once you have opened the windows for a while.
Try not to use air-freshener – it smells synthetic and many people are allergic to it.
On the other hand, good smells can make a property really welcoming – a pot of coffee brewing can really do the trick and fresh cut flowers look good and smell nice.
# Step 6 – You only get one chance to make a first impression
It is quite common for people to drive by your house before they decide to view, so when your visitor sees the property they will immediately make a judgement about it.
Make sure that the front of the property is clean and tidy. Move bins out of site. If you have one, tidy the garden, cut back the shrubs, clean and tidy patios, pathways and driveway.
Give the front door a fresh coat of paint, or at least a good clean and make sure that the door furniture is shiny and the bell works! Windows and net curtains should be cleaned.
And finally…choose the right agent
With the help of Ellis and Co Golders Green your home can be beautifully presented and marketed to appeal to the widest selection of buyers, giving you the best opportunity to sell for the highest price.
We are property specialists and our expertise and knowledge is often underestimated and underused. We’d be happy to give you a constructive critique and point out any weak points about your property. It’s all part of the service we offer our sellers to help them achieve a quick and successful sale.