Rushing a house to market before it’s ready is never a wise move. Which is why here at Boutique Property Agents we believe in getting your house looking as good as possible before showing it to buyers.
As sellers, there is a lot you can do to improve your prospects of a good sale. Start by seeing your home as a product, and try and work out what your buyers will feel put off by (and remember, buyers can be picky.)
Here are five things you should definitely evict when you are getting your house ready for sale.
Unpleasant smells
If it’s your own home, you won’t notice the smells like someone who is coming to it for the first time. You may need to ask a tactful friend or your agent to advise you here. Some of the main off-putting smells include pet odour, cigarette smoke, old cooking smells, dampness and general stuffiness.
Give your carpets and upholstery a good clean, smoke outside, air your property regularly and deal with any damp issues. Be sure to clean your fridge, oven and bins, as these can all contribute to old food smells. And give your bathroom(s) a really deep clean to get rid of any lingering smells.
Personal items
This includes family photos, quirky ornaments, toothbrushes, shoes—anything that makes your house feel like a personal space. For buyers to form an emotional connection, they need to walk in and feel like they could live there. It’s hard to do that with your wedding photos staring down at them from the walls, so pack them up.
A good practice when you are opening your home is to go through each room with a basket and fill it with personal items. Just store the basket in your car until the open home is over.
Daily clutter
Get rid of all that clutter you never really see when it’s your own home. This includes things like rubbish bins, dish-drying racks, gardening tools, tea towels, notes pinned to your fridge with magnets and that stack of mail. Just pack it all away!
Well-loved items
You may adore your comfortable old couch or heirloom patchwork quilt, but your buyers are looking for a neutral canvas that they can make their own. The same goes for dated items such as lace doilies and old-fashioned curtains or bedding. Look for clean, modern tones and add a splash of colour with fresh flowers or plants instead.
Some sellers lease a storage space so they can store a lot of their belongings off site. Others will simply hire a skip and have a good clear-out prior to opening their home to buyers.
Dirt
Freshly painted while walls are probably the best pre-sale investment you can make. Failing that, give your walls a going over and have your windows cleaned in advance of marketing photos and open homes.
Remember, you’ll need to keep the house clean throughout the sales campaign for open homes and buyer inspections. Appointing a temporary cleaner, if you don’t already have one, is a good strategy. And just before each open home, go through the house with a damp cloth to ensure all surfaces are sparkling.
Talk to us
In our experience, buyers will always respond positively to a beautifully presented home. This can lead to greater competition and ultimately a better sales price. Never underestimate just how much of an impact you can make on your sale by ensuring it looks spotlessly clean and welcoming.
What about if you’re too busy? Not a problem. We have excellent stylists who can do the work for you and this is well worth the investment. Feel free to give us a call today if you are thinking of selling and want to start planning your strategy.
