With the spring selling season well underway, it’s the ideal time to get your house looking its best to help it make the best possible impact on the property market.
Whether you’re downsizing or upscaling, selling your current home and getting the highest possible price is a great way to help your financial situation, so for more chances of a stress-free and successful sale, try these tips.
8 tips for a great spring property sale
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Declutter and clean
Before you make your next move, plan the packing process now.
If you’ve got items that you don’t use regularly stored away, clear the clutter today.
If you haven’t used it in the last 12 months, ask yourself if it has genuine sentimental value – and consider donating it. Get rid of items you don’t really like and when it comes to things that are broken or damaged – simply throw them away.
Unwanted paperwork can be shredded and put in the recycling bin and clothes that no longer fit (or are out of style) can be either sold at a garage sale or via online selling sites, or donated for someone else to love.
If you have large items of furniture taking up space in your place, consider storing them temporarily in a friend’s garage, or professional storage hire facility, to give your place some space that will be more attractive to potential buyers.
When it comes to cleaning, paying attention to small details can make a big difference.
- Wash windows
- Dust blinds
- Wash curtains
- Steam clean carpets
- Tidy the inside of your wardrobes
- Pick up any mess left by your pets
- Trim bushes in the garden
- Edge the lawns
- Clean the oven
- Scrub the grout
- Remove unwanted rubbish
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Eliminate odours
Simply masking smells with air fresheners is not enough to rid your home of unwelcome odours.
Pleasant scents, such as freshly-cut flowers, the smell of cinnamon, the smell of fresh apples in a bowl on the dining table or of freshly-baked bread, are all positive touches.
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Keep it neutral
While that mint green feature wall might have seemed on-trend a few years ago, your new buyer might not love it now. Many buyers like the idea of having a blank canvas to let them add their own touches. By painting your walls in neutral tones, you’ll create a better sense of space and a broader appeal.
If you are painting, don’t forget to repair any holes in the walls first, and look at the ceilings and the trims – not just the walls.
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Finish those repairs
If your home improvement projects have been on hold, it’s time to get them finished.
Buyers don’t like seeing unfinished projects in a home or garden, so by taking the time to repair the little things you’ve been ignoring for so long, you’ll boost your chances of attracting more buyers.
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Freshen up your fixtures
Replacing light fixtures, bathroom mirrors, rusty old taps, dripping shower heads and tatty looking cupboard hardware can all be replaced for very little money – and it can make a big difference in the visual appeal of your property.
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Make an entrance
The first thing potential buyers will see when they inspect your property? Your front door. Make an entrance welcoming for a positive first impression. That might include painting the door if needed, replacing any damaged hardware and minimising clutter, such as too many pot plants.
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Staging matters
If you haven’t got the budget for professional staging, you can still make a difference with a careful eye and some planning.
Placing furniture to optimise the feelings of space and light can help your home look more spacious and inviting. And if your furniture items aren’t attractive? Consider hiding them away in storage and renting some artwork and nicer furniture during the sales campaign period.
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Understand your real price
By looking at recent sales results for properties that are similar to yours, you’ll understand the potential your own property has.
Exploring comparable sales and being aware of market influences that may have an impact gives you the knowledge you need to make a realistic assessment of your sales potential – and that information can be vital to help you understand how much to spend on some pre-sales repairs and refurbishments.
Remember, you do have some control. By giving your property the best possible chance to look its best, you can improve your chances to get a better sale price.
