If you want to sell your house, you can’t just stick it on the market as is. It’ll be hard to find even just one buyer! Because a home that hasn’t been prepared for sale isn’t attractive; it’s still too personal to the current owner, and hasn’t had a chance to shine on its own.
But thankfully, preparing your home to go on the market isn’t all that hard! It’s mostly about fixing up any issues with a bit of DIY and ensuring it’s a clean and empty space. As such, here are the top four things to do before beginning the selling process.
Remove the Most Personal Items
Anything you own is a personal item, but we’re talking about items that are unique to you and your family. Family photos, for example, or artwork your kids have made, need to be removed and stored carefully before you list your house for sale. Indeed, a buyer won’t feel comfortable walking around rooms that feature things like these prominently. After all, you want them to feel like this could be their home one day, and signs of your home life won’t help.
Fix Any Obvious Problems
Obvious problems are ones a buyer will see immediately when they walk in, or will stand out like a sore thumb when you take photos for the web listing. So make sure these are the problems you fix immediately. Any other problems can be dealt with later on in the process, but something like a door that doesn’t hang properly, or a pipe that’s rusty and at the end of its life, can’t be ignored. You’ll need to fix a sagging door as soon as you realize it’s sagging, and you’ll need to buy replacement pipe sections or call out a plumber before you go any further.
Make Sure the Atmosphere is Welcoming
The atmosphere of your home should be warm and welcoming - anyone who walks into it should immediately know this is a lovely place to be. Not only does this improve a buyer’s perception of your home, but it can also add to the value of your house; a buyer will be more likely to pay the asking price if they can walk in and instantly see dream potential. So make sure it’s well warmed, there are no cold spots, and there’s a good smell in the air.
Highlight the Areas Buyers Want to See
Finally, make sure you’re drawing attention to the most valuable areas of your property. If you’ve got some handy storage, like an under-stairs cupboard or pull out shelves in the kitchen, make sure the eye is drawn there. Light them up, or include them on the estate agent walkaround. You could also list them on the website you’re using to sell - the more unique elements you can include, the more attention your house will get, compared to any other listing.
Work With Property Professionals
There’s only so much you can do on your own. A lot of the time, you will need to bring in professional help or an extra pair of hands. Working with a property professional will allow you to create a much smoother sale while getting more money in the process. Letting them understand the situation and allowing them to undergo an appraisal process will mean that more can be done and more potential can be maximized.
If you want to sell your house, make sure it’s set up just right!
