Maximise your home’s selling potential
They say that for most people their house is their biggest asset. Therefore it follows that selling your house is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make and getting the right real estate agent to help you sell is key to achieving the best price you can.
On top of that a well presented home will have a much better chance of selling quickly and achieving the asking price. So, what should you do to maximise its monetary value?
Presentation – Present it as a well-cared-for place with no glaring problems. Remember the first impression is the one that sells!
De-clutter – This just doesn’t mean tidy up a bit, this is the Spring clean to end all Spring cleans (including the garage). Get the skips in and throw out anything that is not an heirloom, of extreme personal or financial value, or has not been used in the last six months.
Emotions – Make a mental decision to let go of your emotions, however strong they may be. Try to stand back and look at your house through a persons eyes seeing it for the first time. Focus on the fact that soon this house may no longer be yours. It is no longer a home but a house to sell.
Size is important – Organise the contents in your wardrobes and cupboards to make them appear larger. Donate unwanted items and pack what’s left in stackable plastic boxes, ready for the move
De-personalise – Pack up personal photographs and items, so potential buyers can see your home as theirs and imagine their own possessions in it. By removing excess and unnecessary clutter you will also create a sense of space and openness.
Repairs – Make any minor repairs such as patching up nail or screw holes, fix that broken tile, oil that door, get a glazier in to repair the cracked window and clean stained baths and basins.
Caution – Resist the temptation to go overboard with pre-sale improvements. Don’t put in new carpets, a kitchen or bathroom unless the existing ones badly let down the overall feel of your home. Spend a few thousand bringing the place up to scratch but major renovation should be left to the new owner, as your taste may not be theirs and you could be wasting your money.
Thorough clean – Make the house sparkle, clean it from top to bottom. Clean windows inside and out. Dust light fitting, and replace burned out bulbs. Degrease the oven and wipe down cabinet doors. Repair leaking taps.
Professional help – If you hit a problem that you can’t handle, or don’t have the time, then maybe get professional help. Please ask me for recommendations about handymen, gardeners or even decorators. A little money spent fixing a problem can be a major earner come sale time.
… And lastly
Tidiness – Keep the tidiness up throughout the campaign. Sometimes you may get given short notice of buyers wanting to come through, so being at a high-level of readiness makes life easier and, hopefully, a sale more likely. Each home has the right buyer out there, you do not want to lose them because you were not prepared.
Thinking of listing your property? Call me today for a FREE market appraisal on 0422 495 665 or contact me online.
