TOP 10 TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOME
1. LET GO
For most of us your home is the biggest asset you will have in your lifetime – You have one chance to make the most of it – be smart!
Make the mental decision to “let go” of your emotions and focus on the fact that soon this house will no longer be yours.
Picture yourself handing over the keys and envelopes containing appliance warranties to the new owners!
Say goodbye to every room.
Treat it like a business, look at it as though you are selling a car; you detail it, vacuum it, service it and get an RACV check – do the same thing when selling your home.
2. DE-PERSONALIZE & DE-CLUTTER
Pack up any personal photos and items on display.
You want buyers to imagine their personal items in your home.
Pack up knickknacks, clear kitchen counters.
Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.
Clean out your garage or shed, make sure the area looks spacious, organised and clean.
3. REARRANGE CLOSETS AND CABINETS
When you open your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, linen or storage cupboards a perspective buyer does not want to see your mess!
A clean and tidy impression is a lasting impression and will give the potential buyer confidence that your home has been well looked after.
4. REMOVE/REPLACE FAVOURITE ITEMS
If you want to take window coverings, built in appliances or fixtures with you, remove them now.
Every home shows better with less furniture, rent a storage unit if needed and make sure all cluttered possessions are stowed away.
Remove furniture that blocks pathways to give the impression of larger areas.
5. MAKE MINOR REPAIRS
Replace cracked wall or floors tiles, re-grout and re-caulk bath, showers and sinks.
Patch holes in walls and fix doors that don’t close properly or jam.
Fix leaky taps or shower heads.
Re-Paint your walls neutral colours.
Replace blown light bulbs.
Clean or replace carpets and/ or re-polish floorboards.
Replace old drapes with venetians.
6. MAKE THE HOUSE SPARKLE
Wash windows inside and out.
Pressure wash sidewalks and exterior and clean off all cobwebs.
Remove all magnets from refrigerator.
Vacuum and wash floors daily.
Don’t forget your skirting boards!
Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures.
Clean skylights, range hoods and vent covers.
Make sure your oven and cooktop sparkles!
7. SCRUTINIZE
Go outside and open your front door. Stand there. Do you want to go inside? Is your house inviting?
Invite your friend over to get an outsider perspective.
Arrange your furniture until it makes sense and makes the rooms feel more spacious.
Make sure paintings and window coverings hang level.
Coordinate your colour scheme.
8. FIRST IMPRESSION IS A LASTING IMPRESSION
If a buyer won’t get of their car because they don’t like the exterior of your home, you’ll never get them inside.
Go and stand across the street from your home, would you buy it? Does it WOW you?
Keep sidewalks clear.
Mow the lawn and weed the garden.
Trim back trees and bushes and ensure all leaves are picked up.
Paint faded window trims.
Make sure visitors can clearly read your house number.
9. AGENT
Make sure you are comfortable with your agent, they need to be as dedicated and as driven as you are to achieve the best possible result.
Do not be pressured into anything you are not comfortable with.
Make sure your agent has a good presence in the area and strong knowledge of the local market.
Engage in the right marketing campaign for your area, you can’t sell a secret! This means get great photos and advertising.
Do not be dazzled by the cheapest or the highest quoted price, be smart and don’t be afraid to ask for help!
10. OPEN FOR INSPECTION
Our one piece of advice is – “presentation, presentation, presentation!”
Place smelling candles around your home, have fresh flowers on display, play soft easy listening music.
Turn on all lights and lamps and open all curtains and blinds.
Hang fresh clean towels in your bathrooms.
Wash dirty dishes and stow away.
Place all dirty laundry in your washing machine and put away all clean clothes.
Vacuum, wash all floors, dust and polish taps and mirrors throughout your home.
Invest in a new front door mat.
Keep your house at a comfortable temperature and on a cold day light your fire place so potential buyers will want to stay for longer.