“HOW TO PREPARE YOUR PROPERTY FORSALE”
“FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT”
Imagine you are buying a car. When you arrive at the sales yard there are two virtually identical cars for sale. The same make & model, the same colour, the same price. One has been detailed and looks like new; the other has just come in. It needs cleaning, it smells of cigarette smoke, the carpets are dirty and there are small scratches in the paintwork.
Ask yourself honestly: Which one would you look at first? Which one is going to sell first? Which one is most likely to obtain the asking price?
The same principal applies to your home – but the stakes are higher.
Firstly, you must disassociate yourself from your home. You have already decided to sell; so now you must treat it as a ‘product for sale’; as if you were just selling your old car. In your mind you must picture yourself ready to move into your new dream home.
De-Clutter:
Most people fill their homes with many personal items. It may be in the form of pictures, ornaments, mementos from holidays, or any number of things in-between. Box up and hide as much of this as possible.
- Box and hide all your excess kitchen utensils, plates, or electrical goods you use infrequently
- Un-clutter book-shelves
- Hide the kids toys, and get them off the floor – if you must keep some have a colourful toy-box
- Kitchen benches should be clean of everything
Cupboards & Wardrobes:
People like to look through cupboards and wardrobes while inspecting, so make them neat, tidy and uncluttered.
- Tidy, and arrange all kitchen cupboards
- Tidy, and arrange all linen cupboards
- Tidy, and arrange all wardrobes
- Tidy, and arrange all storage areas – even in the garage or shed Box, hide or store any excess.
The best way to hide away all your excess is to hire a storage shed or locker. These are readily available for hire in most areas and are relatively inexpensive.
Furniture:
Too much furniture makes a home look cluttered and often smaller than it really is. Houses should feel open and airy, and should be easy to walk around during inspections.
If your home has too much furniture, consider placing the excess in storage or at a friend’s place. It should only be for a short time. Leave just enough to make the home look lived in and comfortable.
Always keep walkways clear of furniture.
Removal of Items ‘NOT’ For Sale:
If you want to take window dressings, built-in appliances, or fixtures with you, consider removing them or replacing now. For example; if a buyer sees an expensive chandelier that you want to take with you, the buyer may want it to stay and then it becomes a sticking point. ‘Out of sight; out of mind’.
Minor Repairs:
Always make minor repairs. Don’t give your potential buyer an excuse to try and knock you down in price, or to walk away over the small stuff.
- Replace cracked tiles
- Patch holes in walls or cornices
- Fix dripping taps
- Replace broken light bulbs
- Lubricate door hinges and draw runners
- Consider painting your walls in a natural colour – or re-paint dirty walls
Make It Sparkle:
- Rent a high pressure washer, and clean all the outside walls and pathways
- Ensure the home is free of webs and insect nests (inside and outside, and not forgetting the shed)
- Bathrooms and kitchens should shine; do not have water of soap marks on shower screens, mirrors or surfaces
- Vacuum daily
- Dust furniture, ceiling fans, and light fittings
- Remove or replace old or worn rugs
- Always have fresh towels, and hang them neatly
- Always let in as much natural light as possible
- In darker rooms have bright light bulbs
- NEVER smoke inside the house – the smell of smoke or even stale smoke will put some buyers off right from the start.
Gardens & Pathways:
Scrutinize your home and gardens as though you were an outsider seeing it for the first time. Ask yourself, ‘does it have street appeal’ and ‘how can I improve it’. Ask a friend or neighbour for their oppinion, but don’t get upset with them if they tell you something you don’t want to hear.
First impressions count for much more than you can imagine.
- Always keep your gardens free of weeds and rubbish
- Mow your grass every week – even if you don’t think it needs it
- Ensure that paths and driveways are free from any clutter or dirt
- Plant pots of colour – these are relatively inexpensive and available from most garden centres
- Trim bushes and hedges
- Consider some palms or plants in pots for areas that need that little something (you can always take them with you)
Land & Acreage:
- First impressions count here too.
- Always make sure the grass is kept low
- Hedges should be kept trimmed
- Remove any rubbish
- Remove any dead vegetation
- Repair broken fences
- Consider removing any trees that make the block look cluttered, or if they are located in the obvious place to build
- Trim vegetation around dams – make it feature
- Sheds should be empty and cleaned of webs or insect nests
- Termite hills or mounds destroyed