The decision to sell your home is a commitment of money, time and energy. Make sure you're ready when you sign up with an agent and that all the parties involved (any owners, including absentee or part owners, the agent and tenants) are fully informed.
2)Depersonalise your home.
You want prospective buyers to see the house as their new home, so pack up personal items and photographs.
3)Declutter.
Everybody has clutter, but it makes a home look smaller and harder to keep clean and organised. Take everything off the front of the fridge, clean off desktops and benchtops. If you have any kind of collection, from figurines to beer cans, pack them away.
4)Organise cupboards.
Buyers have the right to open any built-in storage space in your home, so tidy up these spaces as well.
5) Don't empty the house.
Just as a buyer has trouble visualising when a house is too cluttered, they also have trouble when there is no furniture in place, so try and strike a balance. If you're stuck for ideas, have a look through furniture catalogues or visit a show home in your area.
6) Make minor repairs.
It's probably not worth investing large sums of money in renovations (although you should consult your agent and ask their advice), but it is a very good idea to undertake minor repairs before you list your home for sale. A buyer can be turned off by the smallest detail, so:
*Fix leaking faucets
*Repaint very bright colours that are not to everyone's taste.
*Replace light bulbs
*Patch holes in walls
*Replace cracked floor or wall tiles
7) Clean, clean, clean
Of course there are varying degrees of cleaning a house, from the "that'll do-tidy up" to the "my mother-in-law is coming to visit" hysteria. It's best to imagine the latter when preparing your home for viewing, because buyers come into your home prepared to be critical. So:
*Wash windows inside and out
*Vacuum and wash floors
*Dust
*Scrub out the bathroom
*Empty rubbish bins
*Wash out sinks
*Clean fans and ovenhoods
*Wipe off shelves
*Clean off dirty marks on paintwork
8) Curb Appeal
The first impression that the buyers receive when they pull up to your house is vitally important. Tidy the exterior of your home, mow the lawns and weed the garden. It's not a bad idea to plant some potted colour, but remember that a garden should look attractive but low maintenance.
9) Use your nose
As strange as it sounds, the smell of a house can be the deciding factor on whether someone wants to buy your house. Even if you think it smells fine - it's a good idea to use cleaning products with pleasant scents, light some fragrant candles, buy some fresh flowers and open windows and doors beforehand to ensure that the air isn't stale. Also, having freshly baked cookies and coffee available in the kitchen makes a home feel and smell delightful, and can really charm a prospective buyer.
10) Be realistic about price
You can have a perfectly prepared house, but if you price it out of the market you won't get any offers. Do your homework about recent sales in your area, and study the CMA that your agent gives you.
Good luck!
The Team
WebNetRealty.
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