Preparing your Home for Sale

Inside the home is all about creating an ambience.

Many buyers will have only taken a few steps inside a home when they ‘feel’ that it’s right. It feels welcoming and homely.

Remove clutter as this makes your home seem smaller than it actually is.  

Allow as much natural light in as possible by opening blinds.

If the weather permits it’s always preferable to have a couple of windows partly open to allow fresh air through.

If in winter or summer provide heating or cooling as necessary as the home should feel comfortable at all times.

Make sure bathrooms and kitchens are dazzling; these are the two main areas that the major decision maker rates. (whether we like to admit it or not, we all know who that is!)

Make sure that the home is clean and tidy, beds are made etc. “don’t confuse tidiness with obsessive behaviour”, it is quiet acceptable to have a newspaper on your coffee table or a magazine on your bedside table so focus on clean.

Smell is particularly important, and even more so if you have pets. Some odours that are familiar to you may be offensive to others. Clean bird cages regularly, place dog/cat bowls outside. If it is a concern you can purchase several types of odour neutralising aerosols or plug in types which remove any odour.

Rather than the fresh brewed coffee or the bread in the oven trick, which most buyers are aware of and indeed may be concerned that you are trying to mask a bad odour, why not try some fresh flowers in a nice vase or some pot puree in a decretive bowl.

Try to remove dogs during inspections as some people are afraid “yes even of tiny friendly ones”.

It is best that you are not in the home during the inspection as it can create a feeling of over-crowdedness, and can also make the buyer feel as they are imposing and as a result not relax and get a good feel for your home.

Attend to any general maintenance such as door knobs, light fixtures touch ups and anything that is generally speaking obvious to the buyer. Take care not to get into a major renovating job just make sure it is clean and looks well maintained.

BATHROOMS

o      Polish the floor, mirrors and fixtures.

o      Repair grout and caulking.

o      Repair running toilets or faulty plumbing.

CUPBOARDS

o      Hang clothes neatly; store shoes in boxes.

KITCHEN

o      Clean appliances, cabinets and floors.

o      Clean and clear countertops.

o      Repair taps and appliances.

OVERALL

o      Wash windows.

o      Clean or replace carpets.

o      Paint rooms where necessary.