There are many reasons why you may be preparing to sell your home. Perhaps you need to upsize or downsize, move closer to work or family, raise finances to clear debts, or some other purpose. Whatever the case may be, if you’re serious about selling your home, you must be able to view it through the eyes of a potential buyer. This simple step will help you identify the improvements you can make to make your home as attractive as possible and get the best value for it.
You might be surprised at the amount of clutter in your home. Consider how much cleaner, tidier, and bigger your home would seem if it wasn’t there. Be thorough and clear the cabinets, shed, garage, and under the stairs. You want any potential buyers to immediately be able to picture themselves living in your home.
To do this, you need to not only de-clutter, but also move out by removing personal items like CDs, toys, etc. If you have personalised walls, you may also want to replace them with a “blank canvas” so they can try their own personality. For instance, you need to apply a fresh coat using neutral colours like cream or white paint, and keep patterned or bold paints, wallpaper, and fabrics (curtains, cushion covers, or bedding) to a minimum.
It is important that you get all the minor jobs done. While they may require a bit of your time, they should not cost a lot of money. Fix dripping taps, clean out the guttering, polish floors, replace light bulbs, re-grout tiles, oil creaky hinges, and do anything else that gives the impression of a loved and well-maintained home.
First impressions are crucial, so do everything you can to make your home as appealing as possible from the moment the buyers get there. Clear pathways so the path to your home is obvious. Tidy the parking area, lawn, and garden, repair and paint the fences, ensure the doorbell works, and make sure the name/ number is prominent.
Finally, sweeten the deal. If the buyers are happy with your home, they will be looking for a deal to be fully convinced. Things like paying a fraction of the closing costs, offering a transferable home warranty that covers appliances, or closing on the home without delays may get you a contract over another option.