Pre-sale Preparation: Getting Your House Market Ready - SellSmart

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Pre-sale Preparation: Getting Your House Market Ready

Generating maximal interest from buyers when selling your property comes down to how you prepare the place for sale. Putting time and funds into your home before you sell helps to engage buyers at an emotional level and can add significant value to your property.

Our pre-sale preparation list goes through every room in your home, giving you inspiration on how to leverage your property’s potential.

It takes only seven seconds to form an impression. That means you have seven seconds to wow prospective buyers and entice them into your property. Some of the first things people notice are:

First impressions count

One of the first things people will notice is your garden – especially if it resembles a jungle or small forest more than a yard! To make a great first impression, ensure nothing is overgrown or out of control (if your grass comes up to your knees, it’s too high!)

Some easy ways to boost your garden’s appeal (and impact first impressions) are:

- Mowing your lawn regularly (you can hire a person for that!)
- Clearing or pulling out any weeds – particularly on the path leading to the door.
- Trim the hedges so they’re neat and consistent.
- Keep the path to your door swept and clear.
- Consider adding some flowering plants for a pop of colour.

Tame your home jungle (garden) to maximise curb appeal

When was the last time you gave your windows a good wash? And we don’t just mean giving the insides a quick once-over with some Windex! Dirty windows are something you notice instantly. Not only does it not look great, but it stops natural light from getting into your home.

You can clean your windows with some water and a bit of dishwashing liquid, or you can always hire a professional handyman to do it for you!

Wash those windows

Some of the first things buyers will see on your property are the fence (and/or gate), letterbox, house numbers and garden lights. Although they seem like small things, they play a part in first impressions, so they shouldn’t be ignored if they need fixing. Update and keep clean your letterbox, removing any junk mail or papers building up and overflowing. Your house number should also be visible from the street because if there’s no number on your property, how will people know that they’re at the right place?

Your front fence and gate are also crucial in first impressions. Fences are like windows because you don’t often notice them unless they’re in need of some attention. If your fence has peeling paint, a few sections out of place or doesn’t complement your property, it might be time for a refresh or upgrade.

The inside of your home will need the same TLC when it comes to first impressions. This means fixing anything that could be found in a building and pest inspection, such as:

- Broken tiles
- Faulty appliances
- Blown light globes
- Leaky taps

Fix what’s broken

Most importantly, anything that will form part of someone’s first impression should be kept neat and tidy. Remove any rubbish, clutter or weeds that make your house seem unappealing or may discourage people from coming to view your property.

Keep it clean

Is the bright colour you painted your walls a few years ago starting to date? Are there areas that are starting to chip away or peel? A fresh coat of paint can work wonders and significantly increase the value of your home. Painting your home will also reveal any imperfections in your walls, allowing you to patch holes, sand and repaint where required.

Not all paint colours will have this effect, though. Studies show that the best colours to paint the interior of your home are warm, neutral colours. Opting for something within these colour families is a good starting point:

- Warm neutrals
- Cool neutrals
- Gold
- Grey
- Taupe
- Greige

Creating an inviting interior

Walls

Similar to your walls, your floors might need updating from years of wear and tear. Timber floors may have accrued scratches and dints, whereas your carpets might begin to stain or smell. New or refreshed floors can make your home look more modern and inviting – especially some lush carpet in the bedrooms or timber floors in your hallways.

Floors

Wet areas in the home are commonly known to require costly renovations, but this isn’t always the case! Refreshing these areas in your home is sometimes a lot simpler than you might think. Swap out tap fixtures or the whole sink for a more modern appearance. If changing the tiles and splashback, consider keeping neutral tones and patterns so the house doesn’t date quickly and the style will appeal to a broad range of potential buyers.

Kitchen, bathroom, and laundry

The storage in your home is important – especially in places like bedrooms and the linen closet. Buyers want to see where they can keep their stuff. This can be an instant turn-off if a bedroom doesn’t have a built-in wardrobe or somewhere to store clothes. Purchasing a stand-alone cupboard can be costly, but it also makes the whole room seem smaller – not what you want!

Look around your home and consider where you can add extra space to store things. Could you add some shelves to the laundry or bathroom? Is there a nook or area under the stairs you can reimagine? Storage is all about getting creative – especially in small houses!

Storage

The roof

Curb side appeal is key in creating a positive first impression. One of the first things someone will see is your roof. If your gutters are clogged with leaves and tiles are falling off, it might be time to do something about it. Whether you repair your current roof or modernise it with a fresh new colour, refreshing this aspect of your home can restore it and make it look years younger! Old and clogged gutters can also cause lasting damage such as leaks and mould.

Wowing them with an exciting exterior

Garage and carport

Having a carport or garage can boost the value of your home as it gives owners a safer space to leave their car at night. Large garages also give homeowners the freedom to create an extra room if they wish, such as a den, home gym or simply a storage space. Before putting your property on the market, take the time to clean your space to make it look bigger.

Balcony, deck, and entertaining area

Everyone loves a warm summer night sitting on the deck with a cold drink on hand and kids running around the yard. However, not many of us have made the outdoor areas in our home ‘summer night friendly’. Show your entertaining areas some love – whether it’s a balcony, deck or outdoor area – and create an inviting space to have your friends and family over. Paint or stain the deck and rails to match the house, and if you consider adding features like firepits. If your outdoor furniture is looking a little worse for wear, you can invest in staging furniture to bring the area to life.

How much work you put into the pre-sale preparation of your home will ultimately determine the return you receive. These are some of the many things you should do before selling your house. If you’re looking for more information, check out our inspiration page.

You can download our pre-sale preparation checklist by filling in the form below.

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