If you’re preparing to sell your property, there are a few things you can do to increase its appeal and achieve the highest sale price possible. Whether you’re selling your home to buy something bigger, to downsize to a smaller place, or to add to your growing property portfolio, when it comes to selling property, well-presented homes tend to sell quicker and often for a higher price. Check out these 8 tips from sister company, Harcourts, on how to maximise the sale of your property.
1. Declutter and tidy away
Help prospective buyers imagine themselves in your home by creating a clean space without any clutter. Pack away appliances from benchtops, tidy desks and bookshelves, and remove family photos and personal items from living areas and bedrooms. Consider hiring a storage unit to store large items of furniture to make your home appear more spacious and appeal to potential buyers. Plus, it will make packing up for the move that much easier!
2. A fresh coat of paint
You’d be surprised at the difference a lick of paint can make! To brighten up the rooms and for a quick, relatively inexpensive update to your home, apply a fresh coat of paint to walls and ceilings. Choose neutral colours that appeal to a wide range of tastes rather than bold and bright colours. Neutral colours make rooms appear larger and give buyers the space to visualise their own décor.
3. Clean, clean, clean
A clean house is essential when trying to sell so get into the habit of tidying things away each day. Pack and unpack the dishwasher, place dirty laundry out of sight, and wipe down countertops. Ensure carpets are vacuumed, floors are mopped, windows are sparkling, and surfaces are dust-free. For an extra shine, hire a professional cleaning service to give your home a deep clean before showings start.
4. Sort out the niggly things
Minor repairs – like dripping taps, leaking pipes or cracks in the wall – might not seem like a big deal to you, but to prospective buyers, they can be a real turn off and could even mean they choose another property over yours. Take care of any minor repairs before you list your home to ensure it is showcased in the best possible light.
5. Home staging
Carefully staging each room in your home can help prospective buyers see the potential in your property. Add some strategic furniture pieces, plush towels in the bathrooms, cosy blankets thrown over chairs, and eye-catching arrangements of flowers; these small touches don’t cost much but can really make a big difference to how your home is presented.
6. Highlight outdoor spaces
First impressions count so remember the all-important curb appeal. Ensure your front yard is tidy, grass is well-manicured and neatly cut, pathways are swept clear of debris. In warmer months, consider adding colourful flowers or potted plants around walkways leading up to your door. And while you’re focusing on the outdoor, check outside your home for things like leaking gutters, missing roof tiles, rotten window frames, or cracked or peeling paint, and have these repaired. If the property doesn’t look well-maintained, prospective buyers may worry about the amount of time or money they’ll need to spend on getting it up to scratch.
7. Let there be light
A simple way to instantly brighten up the space in your home is to ensure that there's plenty of natural light coming in. So open those curtains and raise those blinds, clean the windows, check that all lights are working and replace any broken light bulbs.
8. Work with professionals
Enlist the help of a professional real estate agent who will ensure your property gets the best exposure with a solid marketing plan, help facilitate and negotiate a deal from prospective buyers, and share their expertise and insight into how to present your home at its best and maximise the sale of your property.
Contact Harcourts to arrange an appraisal to find out what your home is worth, and refer to the Harcourts’ website for more property buying and selling tips.
While all care has been taken in the preparation of this publication, no warranty is given as to the accuracy of the information and no responsibility is taken by Finservice Pty Ltd (Mortgage Express) for any errors or omissions. This publication does not constitute personalised financial advice. It may not be relevant to individual circumstances. Nothing in this publication is, or should be taken as, an offer, invitation, or recommendation to buy, sell, or retain any investment in or make any deposit with any person. You should seek professional advice before taking any action in relation to the matters dealt within this publication. A Disclosure Statement is available on request and free of charge.
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