If you think of prospective buyers as special houseguests, you’ll be halfway towards getting your property ready for sale.
Priority should be given to making sure you have fixed all the issues with your home, and there are usually a few. Problems like leaking taps, flaking paint in the laundry or similar small-scale distractions can be handled easily.
It’s also a great idea to give the property a boost by repainting the interior, which will ensure all the bumps, dents and scratches on the walls are fixed.
And if you’re selling a house, as opposed to an apartment, then you should pay attention to the front garden and entryway so you make a great first impression.
One strategy an increasing number of sellers are adopting in the preparation of their homes is to add some five-star touches that you might expect for a special guest, or you might see in a big hotel.
Here are some of the ideas, going room by room:
Living rooms – Arrange your furniture to encourage conversation, rather than have all the seating pointed at the TV. Don’t put furniture against the wall, as this makes the room look smaller. Pulling them in by even a metre makes a room feel it has purpose.
Bathroom – Clear out your lotions and potions so the storage areas look plentiful. On the sink, bath and any open shelving, place high-quality soaps and shampoos. Hang crisp, clean fluffy towels on the rails. White is the preferred colour, as it will not distract from the rest of the bathroom.
Kitchen – This is where buyers tend to linger. Make sure your benchtops are clear of gadgets, thus giving an impression of space. A bowl of fruit is a nice touch, and leaving out individual snacks will leave a favourable impression, too. But don’t offer fingerfood in bowls for hygiene reasons.
Bedrooms – Dress all your beds in clean white sheets. Don’t overload on pillows. A double bed should have no more than four. Clear your bedside tables and strategically place a favoured book, and a journal and pen to create atmosphere. If your closest is spilling over, remove excess clothes to ensure your storage appears sufficient.
Laundry – Hide away any dirty clothes and linen. You want the laundry to look pristine and uncluttered, offering plenty of space to get life’s mundane tasks done in comfort.
Declutter – Of the many domestic chores to do when preparing your home, decluttering is the most important. An untidy home full of stuff leaves a bad impression and makes the home feel much smaller. Give yourself a few weeks to declutter.
Depersonalise – The goal is to encourage potential buyers to picture themselves living in your home. So, take down family photos and personal mementos that could make buyers feel they’re intruding on personal space.