TEN WAYS TO PREPARE YOUR PROPERTY FOR SALE.

When selling a house, it is essential to present it immaculately to your potential buyers- eradicating dirt, clutter or any unpleasant odours. Whether your house is new or old, it is crucial that you present it in a way that appeals to the majority. However, for many, selling a property is not done often, so, understandably, the process could be difficult to navigate and even a little confusing at times. To put your mind at ease, we’ve picked ten key tips to help you prepare your property for sale.

1. DECLUTTER AND DEPERSONALISE

Although it can be difficult at times to remove the sentimental touch from your house and even harder to clear the clutter, this is essential. The aim is to create a refined, minimalistic look to your property to make it palatable for most people viewing your house- encouraging them to focus on the property rather than its contents.

Remove items such as family photos, quirky signs and any distracting artwork. You want to encourage potential buyers to picture themselves living in the home- so any everyday items such as toys, cleaning products, coats and shoes should be kept out of viewers’ eyeline and stored in appropriate places.

2. LIGHTING

Lighting can dramatically change how a space looks- letting more natural light into youNr home will allude to a bigger room. If you have daytime viewings, it’s as simple as opening all your curtains and blinds, letting light pool in through all possible windows.

However, if you are hosting viewings at night, getting the lighting right can be a little tricker. Try to focus on ambient lighting- having too many overhead lights on in your home could make it seem cold and unwelcoming. Invest in some lamps and place them on lower surfaces such as tables and the floor to create an inviting atmosphere.

3. DÉCOR

It is crucial that you strive for neutral décor throughout your home, aiming for a refined and minimalistic look. Style is subjective, so you want to aim for something that will appeal to the majority- buyers can change the interior once they’ve bought the home. Aim to create a ‘blank slate’, ensuring that you don’t subtract the focus from the house itself.

Good colours to paint your house would be white, grey or cream.

4. FOCUS AND PERSPECTIVE

If you have certain features in your home that make it stand apart from the rest- bay windows, interesting door frames and archways, a cosy fireplace- don’t be afraid to make them stand out. Potential buyers will be keeping their eyes peeled for something that will make them fall in love with the house, so don’t refrain from highlighting the unique parts of your property.

You could do this by having an accent wall to accompany these interesting features or by decorating appropriately- this will catch viewers’ eyes encourage them to focus on your favourite parts of your property.

5. EXTERIOR

First impressions certainly count, and the first sight that potential buyers would be greeted with is the exterior of your house. Ensure your front garden is tidy and well presented, your bins are out of sight, and your front door looks clean and approachable. This will set a great atmosphere for the rest of the viewing.

6. GIVE EACH ROOM A PURPOSE

Many people have a spare room in their house that is often used for many different things. If you have a guest room used as an office or something similar, consider picking a specific purpose and sticking to it.

When you have a room that serves many different functions, it can be challenging to explain exactly what it is used for to the potential buyer. Remember, you are trying to sell a practical living environment and the illusion of a perfect home.

7. NEUTRALISE ODOURS

Bad odours can sometimes go unnoticed in a home- you spend so much time there that you get used to it. Neutralise bad odours by emptying your bins and not cooking immediately before viewings. Even if the rest of the house is immaculate, a bad smell can be enough to put potential buyers off.

However, some smells can linger for more than just a short amount of time. This can be because of pets, children or even an overpowering washing powder (yes, you can have too much of a good thing). After a while, you may get used to these sorts of smells and not be able to identify them in your own home. Getting a friend or neighbour to smell your house and give you honest feedback can help you pick up odours that you can’t smell yourself.

8. SMALL FIXES

If you don’t have an eye for detail, it can be difficult to notice the smaller tasks to complete to give your home a polished appearance. Scuffed skirting boards, broken door handles, and chipped paintwork are all details you may not pick up on every day, but potential buyers will undoubtedly notice. DIY can be scary for some, but you can always ask a friend or family member for help and have fun socialising too!

9. CLEANLINESS

When you present your house, you should remember that you want to make it as immaculate as possible- potential buyers do not want to see how you live. Not only should you deep clean all the living spaces and bathrooms, but you should also clean in spaces you wouldn’t expect your viewers to look at- the fridge, the microwave and kitchen and bathroom cupboards. After you’ve finished cleaning, remember to put all your supplies away- your viewers won’t want to be reminded that cleaning must be done to maintain a household.

10. ESTATE AGENT

Choosing the right estate agents for you will help you through the entire process of buying and selling a house. This is a crucial part of the process and will make your role significantly easier. Although this all happens behind the scenes- choosing the right estate agent can help you feel far more confident in your property and help you sell it with ease.

Combining all the previous tips and tricks will ensure you immaculately present your property, engaging and impressing all potential buyers- your house will be sold in no time!