17 Little Known Secrets to Selling Your Home
If you’ve got it, flaunt it. It might be time to add a bit of shine and polish to your home. First impressions will be lasting so it’s important that your home looks its absolute best inside and out.
1. Lasting First Impressions
The front door greets the prospect. Make sure it is clean. Keep the lawn trimmed and edged, and the yard free of rubbish. Lots of healthy green plants in the kitchen, bathroom, entrances and veranda’s look attractive and create a good impression.
2. Open Airy Atmosphere
Illumination is welcoming. Drawn curtains and drapes are lovely but can tend to dull the atmosphere. Make sure your home is well lit. Dark rooms do not appeal. Clean all marks off the walls to make rooms brighter.
3. Decorate – Set The Scene
Colourful flowers and some indoor plants help to set the scene of tranquility and serenity. Strategically place them throughout the home/unit. Faded walls and worn woodwork reduce appeal. By redecorating, the potential purchaser is shown how good the home/unit can look.
4. Fittings – Repairs Make A Big Difference
Do minor repairs to portray your house in the best light possible. If there is a crack in a tile, fix it. Patch holes in walls, make sure all the lights works and repair that leaky tap! If ever there is a a time it is now. A buyer doesn’t want to move into a house and be given a DIY maintenance list.
5. Kitchens and Bathrooms
These are the most important rooms in the house and must be presented in a spotless condition. Repair any loose or broken tiles. If the mirror needs replacing, do so, or at least give it a good clean. Tidy draws and vanity, putting cosmetics, razors and toiletries away. Attractive bottles of perfume always look elegant. Put a posy or bowl of potpourri next to the basin or a display of decorative soaps.
6. Room to Move
Remove excess furniture, allowing potential purchasers to move freely around the home.
7. Obvious Faults
The discovery of even a relatively minor fault by a potential purchaser often leads to a more thorough search of the property. Reduce the risk of a guarded and tentative inspection; repair any faults prior to showing your home.
8. Cupboards and wardrobes
Most genuine purchasers wish to know about storage and therefore inspect the areas. Tidy these spaces and make sure they are not overcrowded to avoid any impression of lack of space.
9. Not for sale items
Any favourite light fittings, curtains, blinds or any other item with sentimental attachment should be removed and alternative replacement items put in place prior to your agent showing your home. It avoids complications when you get an offer from a purchaser.
10. Pets
Most people like pets, but some don’t! Make sure they are out of the way when purchasers are coming through.
Remove kitty litter trays and pet food bowls.
11. Garage
There is a good possibility that the features you liked about your home/unit could be the same as the ones a new owner will find attractive. Make a list of these and give them to your agent to help capitalise them.
13. Encourage feedback
When an inspection is taking place make sure you are well out of range of potential purchasers. This will encourage them to speak freely and make comments to your sales person.
14. Lights
Adding atmosphere assists in selling a home. Ensure light globes have been replaced and that darker rooms have lights on.
15. Music
Create the right mood to buy. Play appropriate music during your open for inspection to invoke the buyers emotions from your potential buyers. Softly play the music in the background.
16. Appeal to their sense of smell.
Fresh flowers not only add colour but provide an exotic fragrance for potential purchasers.
17. Fresh Fruit
Place a bowl of fresh fruit with a variety of colours in a prominent position within the kitchen or dining room areas.