As we all know, when it comes to selling your home, first impressions can make or break the sale. When you are selling your house, you only have one chance to make that first impression so it is important to get it right. Thus, it is important to get your house ready for viewings.
Many buyers desire a home which is not going be high maintenance and have as little damage to it as possible so they do not have to carry out much renovation. In addition, the presentation of the property is a key form of marketing – it allows the potential buyer to see themselves in that environment and buy into the “lifestyle” you are offering. Obviously then, the more prepared you are with the presentation of your home which is up for sale, the more chance you have of it being snapped up quicker – so much so that the buyers may need to take out a bridging loan!
There are several ways which sellers often fail to take advantage of very simple ways by which you can totally transform the presentation of your home in order to sell it quicker and for its highest value. Therefore, so you do not make the same error, we have put together some tips on how to ensure your home which is up for sale is presented beautifully and looks the best it can for the viewings:
- Fix the exterior appearance
- Declutter
- Promote the best room
Fix the Exterior Appearance
The first thing any potential buyers will see is the outside of your house. Make sure your front garden is well-kept; a mowed lawn, trimmed hedges, fresh follower baskets, a swept pathway and the weeds pulled out of the grass, etc. A well-presented front garden is inviting and from the second someone lays eyes on the property, they will feel as though it is somewhere they would feel comfortable.
The roof tiles should be cleaned and updated if need be. Cracked, damaged or missing roof title, if visible, should be investigating and put right before your house starts with the viewings.
Front porches alone add value to your home, but a well-presented one will make the property all the more desirable from the outside. Similarly, window and door frames should be cleaned and re-painted and glossed if necessary. An appealing entrance is vital when inviting people into your home who are potentially going to purchase it.
Declutter
If you are moving out, decluttering will not only help you sell your home but it will also make your life a lot easier in the moving process and in the long-term.
To declutter your home best, start by making a list. It makes sense to split the list into different rooms and along the way, decipher what you believe needs to go in the bin or what could be given away to a friend or even to someone less fortunate than yourself by sending it to the charity shop.
Give yourself a timeframe and you can work through the list – perhaps one room at a time over a number of days. It is advisable to start with the hallway as this should be a priority since it is the place people will first walk into. With the hall, think space and functionality.
Promote the Best Room
It is up to you to decide what you believe to be the selling room of your home. In most cases, this is the kitchen or a reception room.
Whilst it is not always essential to redecorate these rooms in any capacity, prioritising the cleanliness and presentation of them is essential as they are potentially your major selling point.
In your best room, as well as the rest of the house if it is within budget, you should aim to remove anything which may cause a potential buyer to doubt the property. This could be damp patches, cracks in the walls or ceiling, peeling wallpaper etc. To fix these, it is typically relatively inexpensive and in all honesty, worth the small investment since they could easier put a potential buyer off making an offer on your home. Any problems with the property will mean you fall victim to the potential buyer’s surveyor who will use these as a way to negotiate the asking price down further than you’d ideally want.
