Ray White Carina

TOP TIPS TO SELL YOUR HOME WELL The first step to preparing any house for the open market is getting it looking presentable. This involves de-cluttering, cleaning and home improvement work. De-cluttering Potential buyers want to see every nook and cranny in a house before they decide if it’s right for them. Pare your home back to back to its essentials and not only will rooms look bigger, the feel will be calmer. Rather than hiding everything in cupboards and wardrobes (which buyers are sure to open), consider renting a storage unit. Storage that is stuffed full to the brim gives the impression that space is lacking and hard to keep organised. Aim to keep only what is necessary during the sales period so buyers can see the true potential of your home. Likewise, remove any family photos and overtly personal items. The aim is to ensure interested buyers can imagine the home as their own, with being distracted. Cleaning Once you have a clutter-free house, take the opportunity to do a thorough clean. To sell quickly, your house needs to shine and built-up dirt and grime will detract from this. Wash walls, skirtings, windows and fittings, and steam clean carpets to brighten them up as much as possible. If all else fails, a fresh coat of paint can work wonders. Home Improvements You may not have much time for repairs and maintenance if you’d like a speedy sale. However, the more you can do, the better your house will look on open day and the more likely you are to get the right price. Try to tick off as many odd jobs as you can, including: – repairing anything broken, like handles, shutters, screens and blinds – repainting any paintwork that is dull, aging or a highly personal colour (neutrals are a winner) – replacing all burnt out or dim light bulbs with bright, energy efficient ones – revitalising scratched & worn timber flooring – swapping outdated or yellowed light fittings and switches with new styles – fixing any problematic electrical wiring SOLD Presentation Once your home is sparkling, flowing and and functioning well, it’s time to consider staging. A fresh pair of eyes is beneficial because you might not be able to see where improvements can be made. The key is to view the house from a buyers perspective. How do you want them to feel about the property as they walk through? You can hire a professional stylist: an investment of $2000 in home staging commonly results in a $10,000 increase in the value of your property. If that’s outside your budget, there are other ways to ensure your home is well- presented when it counts. Ask a friend to act like a buyer and give you their thoughts. Your real estate agent is also a great resource and can offer tips on what appeals most to the target market for your home based on their industry experience.