Are you thinking of selling your home? Or maybe you are only days away from a home open? Presenting your house in the best possible way may be the difference between an offer and a missed deal. It reflects well on your abilities as the owner and will create a good first impression for anyone visiting who might potentially be interested in buying it.
We explore everything you need to know from preparing your home the months prior, to making it perfect for potential buyers on the day of the home open.
7 ways to prepare your home in the lead up
Repair obvious defects
You know all those scuff marks on the hallway wall, or that door knob that isn’t quite latch on properly? Well, it’s time to get these fixed.
Obvious signs of wear and tear can be a huge turn off for buyers, and once noticed, may ruin their enthusiasm for the entire home open.
If you don’t have time or the money to fix every single defect, don’t stress! Speak to your real estate agent about what the most important things to fix are.
Repaint
If you have bold coloured walls or odd hues throughout the house it might be time for a fresh coat of paint.
Repainting can freshen up any dull looking areas, or even make a room look larger if you choose lighter colours.
In most cases all it takes is a good paint job to transform your entire home’s feel. It could be the difference between an easy sale or a lengthy one. So seriously, grab that paint brush and get going!
Declutter your home
This is another easy one, but also quite time-consuming. Clutter can minimise the appeal of your home; buyers don’t like it when they feel as though they’re walking through a maze just to get around a room or along a hallway.
Start off by thinking about what’s important to keep, and what can be thrown away or donated to charity. This goes for every aspect of your home – garage included.
It’s a good idea to have a few boxes ready so as you go through your things, you can just chuck them in there without leaving any mess behind. Be ruthless! Remember; less is more as it will make your house look bigger, more spacious and will enhance storage space.
Replace old fixtures and lights
If you have dated or worn down fixtures, replacing them can be something you easily do yourself. Same goes with light bulbs – make sure all lights are working and replace the ones that are old or burnt. Well lit homes are more attractive to buyers, so if your house is quite dark, consider adding lamps throughout to brighten it up.
Don’t forget the house exterior
Your home exterior is the first thing buyers see when they attend a home open. It will set the standard for the rest of what they expect when seeing inside.
This means having your lawn mowed and trimmed, paths free from weeds and general tidiness. If you have any home improvements going on in the yard, make sure it’s complete before listing! Hire a gardener or ask someone if they can lend a hand with the weeding, etc.
Your garage is also very important to have tidy and clean as buyers will most likely go through this part of your home when viewing.
Style your home
It is often hard to picture what a house will look like if there is no furniture or styling. If your house is empty, consider hiring a stylist or doing it yourself to help buyers envision what might be their dream home.
Hire a real estate agent
If you don’t have the time or motivation to sell your home through an auction or private sale, it may now be time to consider hiring an estate agent. Real estate agents can assist with selling your home by:
Helping to market your property properly and promoting the home open to increase the amount of potential buyers.
They are essential for properties that will be listed publicly in order to attract buyers from all over Perth, Western Australia.
They will manage the entire process and understand the legal requirements, taking the stress away from you, so you can focus on other things.
They’ll ensure the best sale price is achieved for the homeowner
On the day of the home open
Last minute clean up around the house
Walk around the house one last time and tidy what needs tidying. Make beds, do the dishes or put them away in cupboards, pick up toys and books off floors – whatever is needed to get it done! Make sure all areas are clutter free, clean and easy for buyers to appreciate.
Let there be light! Open windows, blinds, turn on lights
Nothing makes a house feel more spacious and fresh than an abundance of natural light.
Make it a pleasant temperature
If it’s a hot summer’s day, turn on the air conditioning ! If it’s a cold winter’s day, turn on the heater. Make sure your home has the perfect temperature for any guests (or potential buyers) to enjoy!
Eliminate unwanted odours
Light a candle or turn on an oil mister to ensure your home is smelling fantastic when buyers start to arrive. Many people will be visiting your house and the smell of food or musty odours can have an impact on their opinion. This is particularly important if you have pets or you smoke, as the smell of their scents can linger and for this reason you need to make sure that these odours are eliminated.
Use plants to style rooms
To add one final touch, place a few small green plants throughout your house. Plants help cleanse the air and add life to any room whilst making it look clean and fresh.
Don’t forget curb appeal!
The front entry of your house is the first thing many people will see and so it’s important that it looks as nice as possible! Be sure that all outside bushes are trimmed neatly, driveway is free of potholes and cracks, windows are shiny clean and frames are in good condition etc. Also make sure you have sufficient parking for vehicles to be able to park comfortably and safely. Don’t forget to offer great coffee and tea at the home open.
There you have it! Everything you need to know about preparing your home for sale. From preparing months in advance to last minute touches on the day of the home open.
Planning on selling your home and need a real estate agent to assist? Contact us today. At Joyce, our team of real estate experts can assist in not only attracting the right buyers but achieving the best possible price for your home