Everyone naturally wants to get the best price for their home when they put it on the market. But how do you make a great impression on potential buyers without spending the big bucks on a mini renovation and not drive yourself to distraction in the process? Easy! Just follow our tips to getting ready for your first open house, and you could be selling your home for top dollar in no time.
Start by making a list (or two).
Selling your home fast and well takes careful planning. Disassociate yourself from your home and try to see it from a buyer’s perspective. What are they likely to notice? Plan what needs repairing, cleaning, decluttering and sprucing up, then get to work.
Declutter everything.
Make it easier for buyers to imagine themselves in your home, rather than focus on how messy it looks. Box away anything that detracts from the house's most attractive features. Clear entryways, simplify bookcases, clear benches, and remove personal items like family photos and knickknacks. Get rid of bulky furniture designed for comfort rather than interior aesthetics – they make your rooms look smaller. Stick to simple décor items that would appeal to all tastes to avoid turning off picky house hunters. Consider renting a storage unit and transferring anything you don't need for everyday life into it.
Clean like a demon.
It’s now time for spring cleaning with a vengeance – and we mean everything. Make your windows sparkle inside and out, remove dust from unusual places like on top of the fridge, pendant lights and door jams, polish up your mirrors, appliances and fixtures. Storage is a big selling point, so make sure your closets aren’t stuffed to the brink – buyers might think there’s less than there is. Polish timber floors, mop lino regularly, replace faded rugs and bleach dark grout. If in doubt, get a professional in – everything must be spick and span.
Go neutral.
Don’t give buyers a reason to turn their nose up at your interiors. Unless you’re an experienced designer, those purple walls and orange sofas won’t cut the mustard with your average house hunter. Repaint your walls in neutral colours – if in doubt, white is best. Remove any ‘unique’ furniture – less is best when it comes to filling a room because it encourages buyers to focus on the space itself.
Get your gardening gloves out.
Once you've completed your inside list, turn your attention to the exterior of your home. This is the first thing a potential buyer will see, so it's important to focus on boosting curb appeal. Trim the bushes, do some weeding, and mow the lawn. Hire a pressure cleaner and blast the paths and the exterior walls. If you need to touch up some paint in places, do so. It’s also a nice touch to add a row of yellow or orange flowers in pots – both colours subconsciously encourage positive buying decisions.
Call in some furniture.
If you've already moved out of your home, it's essential to make the space look lived in. Consider renting some furniture and décor items to help buyers imagine themselves relaxing in your space. Group furniture into conversation arrangements so they can sit down and discuss the home's prospects. Add an inviting armchair and side table complete with pretty coffee mug and book. Invest in some flowers and pot plants or beautiful soaps for the bathroom. When you're selling, every detail counts.