Preparing your property for viewings
You only get one chance to make a first impression. This rings especially true for sellers showing their homes in today’s competitive market. If you're thinking about selling in the long term, it is worth considering improvements that could help the prospects of making a sale. If you are in a hurry to sell your property, there are a number of small but valuable improvements that can improve your chance of a sale. Remember, first impressions really do count.
Interior Preparation
The way you live in your home is not the way you sell your home. The act of grooming and decorating a home to properly showcase its features and make it more attractive to potential buyers is referred to by industry experts as house staging. These simple techniques can make a dramatic impact in your home, and can make all the difference when it comes to selling a home quickly and for top value.
Creating an illusion of space is an important part of house staging, but too much empty space can work against you. Every room should look as spacious, bright, and warm as possible. At the end of the day, people don’t buy houses, they buy homes. People often mistakenly think that viewing empty properties will give them an accurate sense of the space available, but, in fact, it’s hard to really understand the size of a room without furniture and other objects as reference points. Also, in oddly shaped spaces, it can be very hard for buyers to visualize furniture arrangements. The need to stage empty spaces becomes especially important in smaller properties where it can be hard to gauge how well furniture will fit.
If there are any small repairs or repainting that would enhance the overall appeal of the property, it's well worth getting this work done. Tighten those loose knobs and towel racks; clean and repair caulking around tubs and sinks; fix leaky faucets and remove water stains. Remember - if you do any painting inside your home to wait a few days for the smell to disappear before you put it on the market. Buyers may assume you are trying to hide something under a fresh coat of paint. Light and neutral colours inside are good - bear in mind that whereas you might like vibrant colours, they are not to everyone's taste.
Clear out clutter - it may make you feel at home, but can put off prospective buyers. Pack away unnecessary items, make sure counters and tables are free of appliances and personal items and limit the number of items stored overhead or on the floor. Put away collectibles and family photos to help de-personalize your home: buyers will be able to imagine themselves in your space better without your personal items around. If any rooms are used for storage alone, pack away the items and properly furnish the rooms.
Deep clean your home making sure each room and surface is spotless. Clean the kitchen and bathrooms and leave windows and mirrors sparkling. If pets or a smoker reside in your home, remember that you probably won’t notice the smell if you’re around them all the time. You can use some subtle essential oils or aromatic candles to create a more pleasant smell.
During the viewing itself, make sure you bring in as much light as possible to your property. Open all the drapes and blinds and turn on all the lights, even during the daytime. Turn off the television, stereo, and radio or play some easy listening music if you want to showcase the piped music system in your property. Leave pets in the garden or better still, ask friends to look after them. Some people may be allergic, others may be afraid of animals.
One great way to stimulate buyers’ imaginations is to set the scene. Put fresh flowers on the mantle and set the dining room table for a formal dinner. If it’s a cold day, light a fire in the fireplace. Look at your home through the buyers’ eyes and create an atmosphere that will help them envision themselves living there.
If possible, leave your home for the duration of the viewing. Some buyers are uncomfortable when the owner is in the house. In their hurry to get away, they may miss important features, or fail to ask important questions. If you must remain, be courteous, but try not to make conversation. The buyer's agent knows what the buyer is looking for. He or she can discuss features and answer questions.
Renovations
If you're thinking about selling in the long term, it is worth considering some larger home improvements that could help the prospects of making a sale. Updating your kitchen or bathroom can be a good move that can help sell and add value to your home. So can adding a hot/cold air conditioning unit to your property.
You should consider the renovations that you are prepared to carry out very carefully. Although the improvements can add value to your property and can make it more attractive to potential buyers, there is no guarantee that you will see the full financial investment reflected in the sales price. You are more likely to see a return on your investment if you renovate the kitchen or bathroom at a reasonable price, than you will by investing large sums of money into an extension.
Curb Appeal
Buyers begin to form an opinion as soon as they pull into your driveway, and will be more excited to view the interior of your property if the exterior is appealing. Brighten up the garden with fresh shrubs and flowers, keep it neat and tidy with your lawn and shrubs trimmed, and flower beds weeded. Repair and paint the fence and give the exterior of your home a good wash or a fresh coat of paint. Store away your children’s toys and garbage bins, and make sure outside lights and doorbells work.
Determining the value of your property
Preparing your property for viewings
Receiving and negotiating an offer