Are you thinking about selling your home, or has it been on the market but has failed to attract any offers?
There are several reasons why a property will not sell, but the way it is presented is at the top of the list. So, if your property has been on the market for a while, you may want to look into what you can change to make it more desirable to buyers. While you may not be able to spend significant amounts of money to totally renovate your property, there are lots of affordable and simple things that any homeowner can do to increase the possibilities of a speedy sale and a sale that puts more money in your pocket.
As a homeowner, it’s all too easy to miss little details that might be a significant turn-off to a market full of choosy buyers with high expectations. If you’re willing and able to stroll around your property with a critical eye, you’ll certainly discover a plethora of things that you can simply modify, which might be the difference between an offer and a pass. Don’t allow anything within your control to cost you the sale of your home.
Here are the top 7 things you can do to prepare your property for sale:
1. Make a Good First Impression
Because the exterior of your property is the first thing prospective buyers see, make it appealing enough for them to want to see more. “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” I’m sure you’ve all heard. Most buyers do, so it’s critical to pay attention to the exterior of your property as well as the interior. Plant some colourful flowers, touch up any missing paint places, clean the windows, and make sure the walkways are free of rubbish to make your house more appealing.
These little adjustments may have a major influence on the initial impression purchasers get when they come up to your house, perhaps increasing your chances of selling. Buyers are willing to pay top price for a property that doesn’t need any upkeep.
2. Perform Minor Renovations
Is your property out of date or has seen better days? Small, affordable fixes may have a significant impact on how quickly and for how much your house sells.
Replace obsolete light fixtures, acquire new hardware for your kitchen cabinets, and replace all of your plumbing fittings. These, and many more simple improvements, are all doable by most people.
Examine your house to ensure that everything is in functioning order. Replace any burned-out lightbulbs and tighten any dangling handles.
Buyers may be picky; don’t give them something to complain about. Ensure that everything with which purchasers come into contact is functioning and up to date. Ask a buddy for their viewpoint; sometimes an “outsider’s” perspective might bring out items you would not have seen otherwise.
3. Clean, Clean, Clean
Perform a thorough spring cleaning of your home from top to bottom! Make a point of cleaning every area in your house, including the closets and below the beds.
Bathrooms and kitchens are frequently the focal points, and they must be looking their best. Buyers will almost certainly open every door, drawer, and cabinet they come across – nothing is off-limits.
Get rid of everything that isn’t absolutely required. Maintain a basic, orderly, and, most importantly, attractive appearance. Give your carpets a thorough cleaning/shampooing.
The cleaner a place seems, the more tempting it will be to prospective buyers, giving them the impression that this might be their home. If you don’t have the time or if you’ve already moved out, consider hiring a professional cleaning service to come by every couple of weeks.
4. Declutter, Declutter, Declutter:
When it comes to preparing your home for sale, less is better. Clutter may make a place seem smaller and more cluttered than it is. If your home is crammed with things, potential buyers may be concerned that there won’t be enough space for their items.
Take the time to walk through each area in your house and get rid of any superfluous belongings or furniture. Buyers are inquisitive, and nearly no section of your property is off bounds, so make sure every inch of it is attractive. Keep all surfaces clean, all closets organized, and the “junk drawer” empty. Sell the leftover items to get some additional money, give them to a homeless shelter, or hire a storage unit.
5. Use Neutral Paint Colors
While red may be your favourite colour, it may not be a prospective buyer’s favourite and may turn them off. Neutral colours are often a safer bet; it is widely accepted that neutral colours are disliked by fewer individuals.
When the walls are painted in softer tones, it is simpler for purchasers to visualise what the walls might look like with their favourite colours. Another advantage is that brighter, more neutral colours can make a smaller area seem larger, visually increasing the square footage of your house.
By eliminating any scuff marks or scratches, a fresh new coat of paint can make your house seem new and fresh again. Don’t forget about the trimming! If the baseboards and window/door trims are in poor condition, freshly painted walls might be entirely unnoticed.
Buyers will mentally keep track of how much work has to be done if they move in, so try to keep it as low as possible.
6. Stage Your Rooms
Real estate professionals advise staging your rooms by arranging them in ways that accentuate their greatest qualities. Staging is more than just decluttering and cleaning; you also want to clarify the function of each room and make it aesthetically appealing to purchasers.
Purchase fresh flowers, new hotel-style linens for the bed, new towels for the bathroom, and new cushions for the couch and chairs. These are some basic staging ideas to help your property look its best and make purchasers feel “at home.”
Arrange furnishings so that purchasers can easily tell what the space is used for. That spare bedroom you were using as a craft room should be converted back into a bedroom, allowing the buyer to see themselves in the area.
7. Depersonalize:
Prospective purchasers aren’t interested in viewing your family photographs or porcelain doll collection. Buyers can’t see themselves living there if they see all of your personal stuff glaring back at them.
Make your home as much of a blank slate as possible. Remove any trinkets, intimate family photographs, or eye-catching artwork that may divert the buyer’s attention away from the room itself. Keep things basic and neutral, emphasising your home’s architectural elements rather than your belongings.
Disassociate yourself from the situation; this is no longer your “home,” but rather an asset for sale. If you want a quick sale, you must be ready and open to do whatever it takes, even if it means putting away favourite belongings.
The prospect of selling your home may seem frightening, but with a little effort and an open mind, you may greatly improve your chances of a rapid sale. The better the condition of your property, the more ready purchasers will be to pay top price for it. Hiring a Realtor is also advantageous since they have a network of individuals who can open the door to additional possible purchasers.
It is ultimately up to you how much or how little work you are prepared to invest into your property before putting it on the market. Keep your ultimate goal in mind, do your best, and before you know it, you’ll have a sold sign in your yard.
Best wishes, and here’s hoping for a swift (and lucrative) sale!
