Preparing your home for sale, involves several key steps to ensure it is appealing to potential buyers and can get the best possible price. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get started:
Declutter and Depersonalise
• Remove Personal Items: Take down family photos.
• Clear Surfaces: Keep countertops, tables, and other surfaces clear of unnecessary items. A minimalist look helps rooms appear larger and more inviting.
• Organise Storage Spaces: Tidy up wardrobes, cupboards, and garages. Buyers often check storage spaces, so it’s important they look spacious and functional.
Deep Clean
• Thorough Cleaning: Clean every corner of your home, including carpets, windows, and hard-to-reach areas. Consider hiring professional cleaners for a deep clean.
• Eliminate Odours: Ensure there are no lingering smells from pets, cooking, or smoke. Use air fresheners, but avoid strong scents as they can be very off-putting.
Make Repairs
• Fix Minor Issues: Repair leaky taps, squeaky doors, cracked tiles, and any other minor issues that could detract from the home’s appeal.
• Consider Larger Repairs: If there are more significant issues, such as roofing problems or outdated electrical systems, consider whether it’s worth fixing these before selling.
Enhance Curb Appeal
• Tidy Up the Exterior: Mow the lawn, trim hedges, and clean pathways. A well-maintained exterior creates a strong first impression.
• Add a Fresh Coat of Paint: If the exterior paint is peeling or faded, consider repainting to give the home a fresh look.
• Consider Seasonal Planting: Adding some flowers or plants can make the entrance more inviting.
Stage Your Home
• Furniture Arrangement: Arrange furniture to highlight the best features of each room and ensure there’s a clear flow of movement.
• Neutral Decor: Use neutral colours and home decor to appeal to a broader range of buyers. We love bold colours, however if you are looking for maximum return then neutral is best.
• Lighting: Make sure rooms are well-lit. Open curtains and blinds to let in natural light, and add lamps or replace bulbs where necessary.
Depersonalise and Neutralise
• Paint in Neutral Tones: If your walls are in bold colours, consider repainting them in neutral tones like beige, grey, or white, which can help buyers picture themselves in the space.
• Remove Unique or Niche Decor: If you have highly personalised or niche decor, replace it with something more universally appealing.
Address the Senses
• Smell: Ensure your home smells fresh. Light a subtle scented candle before viewings.
• Sight: Make sure everything looks clean, bright, and inviting. Add fresh flowers or a bowl of fruit as a visual touch.
• Sound: Play soft background music during viewings, or ensure the house is quiet to create a calm atmosphere.
Update Fixtures and Finishes
• Kitchen and Bathroom: Consider updating outdated fixtures, like taps or cabinet handles, to give these spaces a more modern feel.
• Lighting Fixtures: Replace any old or outdated light fixtures with more contemporary options.
Photograph and Market
• Virtual Tour: Consider offering a virtual tour, which can be especially appealing to internet buyers.
• Marketing Strategy: Work with your estate agent to create a marketing plan that highlights your home’s unique features and reaches the right audience.
Final Touches
• Freshen Up the Front Door: A new doormat and a coat of paint on the front door can be an inviting touch and create instant appeal.
• Check the Details: Before viewings, walk through your home to ensure everything is in place, clean, and ready to impress.
By following these steps, you can make your home as attractive as possible to potential buyers, helping to ensure a quick sale at the best possible price.
FAQ’s
Is it Worth Decorating a House Before Selling It?
It depends on several factors, including the current condition of your home, the local property market, and your target buyers. Here are some key considerations:
- Current Condition of the Home • Outdated or Worn Decor: If your home has outdated, worn, or highly personalised decor, redecorating can make it more appealing to a broader audience. Neutral, modern decor often helps buyers imagine themselves in the space.
• Well-Maintained but Dated: Even if the home is well-maintained but feels dated, fresh paint, updated fixtures, and modern decor can make a big difference in how quickly it sells and for how much. - Market Conditions • Buyer’s Market: In a buyer’s market, where there are more homes for sale than buyers, making your home stand out is crucial. Decorating and staging your home can make it more attractive than competing properties.
• Seller’s Market: In a seller’s market, where demand exceeds supply, you might not need to do as much decorating because homes tend to sell quickly regardless. However, tasteful decor can still help achieve a higher price. - Target Buyer • First-Time Buyers: They often prefer move-in ready homes. Fresh, modern decor can attract this group.
• Luxury Market: In higher-end markets, buyers expect homes to be tastefully decorated and updated. Investing in quality decor and staging can be particularly worthwhile.
• Investment Buyers: If you’re selling to investors or those looking for a fixer-upper, elaborate decorating may not be necessary. They may be more interested in the property’s potential than its current decor. - Cost vs. Return on Investment • Affordable Updates: Simple, cost-effective changes like fresh paint, new lighting fixtures, and updated soft furnishings (curtains, rugs, cushions) can have a high return on investment.
• Extensive Redecoration: If redecorating involves significant expenses, weigh the costs against the potential increase in sale price. Sometimes, minor cosmetic improvements can provide a better return than a full-scale redecoration. - Staging vs. Decorating • Home Staging: Instead of full-on decorating, consider staging your home. This involves arranging furniture and decor to highlight the home’s best features, often using rented furniture and accessories. Staging can create a welcoming atmosphere that appeals to buyers without the need for extensive redecoration.
• Partial Staging: If your budget is limited, focus on staging key rooms like the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom. - Psychological Impact on Buyers • First Impressions Matter: Well-decorated homes often create a positive emotional response, making buyers more likely to offer a higher price or decide more quickly.
• Perceived Value: Buyers may perceive a well-decorated home as better maintained and more valuable, even if the actual cost of the decor is relatively low.