Have you committed to selling and moving into a new and exciting property?
That’s awesome!
But are you now wondering how on earth you’re going to find the time and energy to get it ready for when the first potential buyers walk through your front door?
Don’t panic. Millions of owners before you have had a similar feeling of being overwhelmed. And they all overcome their challenge with a little strategic thinking and planning.
Our agents believe that preparing your home thoroughly before it goes on the market can add tens of thousands of dollars to its value.
And with interest rates falling and more buyers coming into the market, you will most certainly benefit from giving your potential buyers a five-star presentation.
Well-presented homes always attract interest, and generally, they achieve the best prices, too.
So, while you face quite a lot of work, you’ll enjoy the dividends once we’ve made the sale.
Here are six tips to help you get ready for your first Open Home:
Declutter first – Less is more when it comes to preparing your home for sale. Ideally, you’ll put many of your personal belongings in storage so these items don’t clutter up the space and make your home feel cramped or inadequate. Decluttering makes the home instantly feel bigger and more put together.
Depersonalise – Remove anything that distracts the buyer from picturing themselves living in your home. Family photos, knick-knacks from holidays and even children’s paintings on fridge doors should disappear for buyer walk-throughs.
Room by Room – It’s almost impossible to declutter in one hit. The best idea is to go room by room. Usually, start with those rooms that are used the least. A good strategy is to begin with the bedrooms, and then move on to the laundry and bathrooms, and finally the living areas and kitchen.
Storage solution – A key part of the operation is to ensure your storage areas are not overflowing. You want buyers to see plenty of space in your bedroom closets, and in the cabinets of your bathrooms, kitchen and laundry. If these spaces are crammed-full, you’ll give the impression your home has inadequate storage.
Colour questions – If you have big, heavy colours on feature walls, you may want to question whether these are suitable for a sales campaign. Sometimes, buyers back off for the smallest reasons, and colour schemes are a common excuse. Consider painting the interior in neutral creams or whites.
Focus on the entry – You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Which is why the entrance hallway should be pristine and free of shoes, umbrellas, car keys and other paraphernalia.