Spring is the best season to sell a house. But how can you make sure your home truly shows off all of its features?
As a would-be seller, you can take a few steps to win buyers’ hearts and maximise the potential of your property. There are ways to make your house stand out in the property market without overspending.
Here are our tips to get your house sale-ready:
1. First impressions count
The entrance to your property is the very first thing prospective buyers will lay their eyes on.
Stand across the street and look at your property from their point of view. Remove distracting items from the driveway, including cars, tools or garbage bins. If you have a garden, ensure that it is neat and tidy. And don’t forget to clean the windows. You can also add a little extra touch by placing a doormat, plants or flowers by the front door and maybe give your house exterior a new coat of paint.
2. Free up as much space as possible
An ‘open home’ is your one-off chance to impress buyers. It also gives them an opportunity to wander around, ask questions and imagine themselves not just owning a property, but living in it. That’s why you may need to keep your furniture, ornaments and everyday household items to a minimum, and pack away the rest. You can either neatly stack those boxes in the garage, or rent a storage unit and move out all non-essentials.
3. A clean, undamaged house shows you care
A clean, well-presented house can be the difference between a property that sits on the market for months, and one that sells within days.
Pay attention to every detail, including windows, walls, floors, baseboards, closets and appliances. Do a thorough inspection to find any damage and fix anything you find.
Give flooring a refresh as well. Mop hardwoods and remove carpet stains. Remove and replace anything that’s beyond repair. But remember, unless you’re selling a ‘renovator’s delight’, it’s better not to leave any projects unfinished before putting the house up for sale.
A fresh touch of paint is one of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to give your house a makeover.
Then, the final touch – include freshly cut flowers, scented candles or a bowl of seasonal fruit in the kitchen. Not only these can brighten a dull room, but they also mask household odours better than air fresheners.
4. Ready to entertain
Is your outdoor space a little uninspiring? Do you have a well-maintained garden to show off?
A simple and affordable project could be to put your ‘green thumb’ to work, and create a small vegetable garden or plant colourful flowers all around. If you have a bit more budget, why not add extra features like an outdoor sofa, outdoor string lights or a fire pit for warmth in the night?
5. Heat it up
With mould and dampness being one of the most common concerns, investing in efficient heating solutions makes sense. There are various options you can choose from, including heat pumps and double-glazed windows.
6. Know what’s out there
Maybe an obvious one, but taking a good look at what the market has to offer will help you set your expectations right. Look at similar properties listed or sold, and go to open homes and auctions to feel the pulse of real estate. This may also give you the opportunity to meet with sales agents, see how they engage with buyers, and find one who matches your needs and style.
Don’t forget – we’re mortgage experts
Come and talk to one of our Mortgage Advisers early on so that we can help you with mortgage pre-approval and ensure your financial ducks are in a row ahead of time.
We can help if you’re planning to transfer your mortgage to another property, or need to apply for a new one. We can help take the stress away from handling the paperwork, and help secure the right mortgage for your situation.
