Preparing Your Property For Sale

When selling your home, first impressions count. Investing a little bit of time and energy into ensuring your property is presented in the best light can go a long way. However, what do you need to do to prepare your home for a successful sale?

Street Appeal / Outside the Property

A neat entrance will enhance street appeal and leave a positive first impression. A good first impression will entice buyers to come in and inspect your property and ensures your property appears to be well maintained and taken care of. You may consider:

• Painting or replacing the front door 
• Fixing the letter box 
• Tidying up the front garden by cutting down overgrown plants and trees and keeping the lawn neat. 
• Cleaning out garages and sheds to make them look more spacious. 
• Fixing little defects such as dripping taps or broken gates, and ensuring any fencing or other outside areas do not need to be re-painted. 
• Ensure your house number is clearly visible. 
• Wash down and clean external walls, gutters and any outdoor furniture. 
• Update the garden by simply adding some mulch and / or planting colourful flowers. Both of these inexpensive methods will instantly improve the appearance of your garden. 
• Ensure any water features such as pools or ponds are clean.

Inside the Property

• Painting in natural, contemporary colours will instantly update your home without spending too much money. 
• Cover old sofas with new throws and cushions. 
• Change flooring to modernise and update a dated look. 
• Changing the lighting fixtures, both inside and outside the property can provide a more modern look. 
• Eliminate any unnecessary clutter to make the rooms more spacious. This may include removing extra furniture which is overcrowding the rooms. 
• Clean carpets or wash curtains to remove any lingering odours and to breathe new life into tired furnishings. 
• Tidy up cupboards and clean up storage areas. 
• Fix little defects such as dripping taps or noisy doors and windows. 
• Fix any cracks in the flooring or tiles and patch any holes in the walls.

Our Top Tips:

Capitalisation – It is important not to over capitalise when making improvements. The cost to improve particular areas may not net a higher return in the sale price (over and above the investment). Therefore it is important to discuss this with your valuer or agent before making the investment.

Stylist – If your furnishings are a little outdated but you do not have the time or money to replace them, you may wish to consider hiring a stylist. An experienced stylist will replace your belongings with hired furniture, to give your property a makeover.

Time of open for inspections – Try to coordinate open for inspections at times which may present your property in the best possible way. If you choose to showcase it at night, ensure all lights are turned on and blinds are open to make it more inviting.

Open for Inspection / Auction Day Checklist

• Aside from the initial preparation which can be made before listing your property, it is also important to ensure your property is impeccably presented on all open for inspection days and the auction day. Use the below checklist to make your home shine.
• Clean! Pay special attention to walls, floors and remove any mould from tiling in the bathroom and kitchen.
• Remove any items that are cluttering the rooms and ensure everything is put in its place. Pack up any everyday living objects such as children’s toys in a box / basket and take with you when you leave the property for the open for inspection.
• Remove or replace any favourite items or fixtures which will not be included in the sale of the property i.e. chandeliers, appliances, etc.
• Bake fresh bread, cookies, etc. or brew fresh coffee just before the open for inspection begins. Friendly aromas are inviting and create a homely atmosphere.
• Set the mood by putting on relaxing background music.
• Use your best linen and towels to display; ensure they are clean.
• Buy fresh flowers and display in numerous places to brighten up the place.
• Remove your pets from the house.
• Keep bins out of sight, both inside the property and out.
• Do not linger. Leave the premises at the time of the open for inspection