Presenting your property for sale
First impressions last
The way you present your home can make a big difference in how it is perceived in advertising, which will in turn influence the level of enquiry, the number of people at your open homes, and ultimately the amount of time the property stays on the market and the final purchase price achieved.
The feeling that potential buyers get when they see your home for the first time can be the difference between them returning to inspect a second or third time, and making an offer when the time comes, or bypassing it and searching elsewhere.
The better your property presents, the higher the price those buyers will pay.
Buyers today are discerning shoppers; they have the world of real estate at their fingertips online, and they become temporary market experts while they are house hunting. Buyers are looking for value that’s been added to homes, and thoughtful presentation can make it easy to see the unique traits that make your home special.
Below are some elements of presentation you may wish to consider
Street appeal
Your home needs to invite buyers in from the first glance. How you create street appeal will depend on your property; some things to consider are a nice letterbox, healthy, weed-free, freshly mowed and edged lawns, easy-care plants, neat storage of hoses and gardening equipment, attractive garden features, tidy and well-maintained fencing, clean surfaces, and a front door that is in good condition.
Cut the clutter and set the scene
The prospective buyer needs to be able to imagine their own belongings in the property, so remove non-essential furniture, ornaments, exercise equipment and personal items and stow away everyday items such as toiletries, cleaning equipment, toys, pet items, and kitchen appliances – think “clean lines and clear surfaces.” Fewer objects in rooms will make the space appear larger and fewer clothes in wardrobes and linen in cupboards will make the storage seem superior. Give thoughtful consideration to which items of your furniture will enhance the mood you want to create in your home and which items are unnecessary or muddling the space. Perhaps consider storing or selling any excess furniture, and you may wish to hire furniture or decorations or engage the services of a professional stylist to create the look you desire. The house should be spring cleaned. The little bits of dust that you don’t notice when you’re living there every day, that’s what buyers do notice,
Fix it
From a leaking tap to a broken bulb or scuffs and scrapes in the woodwork, make sure any minor repairs are taken care of. If there are general maintenance issues – even if they’re really minor – this can be seen by buyers as a sign that there may be bigger underlying problems, whether that is actually the case or not, so looking after these little repairs can really pay off in the long run.
Getting fresh
Try to eliminate any smoke or pet odours. Prior to an inspection, open the windows, brew some fresh coffee, light a scented candle, brighten the place up with a couple of bunches of flowers, and try not to cook anything with a strong aroma. Keep in mind that you don’t want to overwhelm buyers with intense fragrances, which can give the impression that you are trying to cover up an underlying unpleasant smell, so there’s no need to have an air freshener in every room.
Lighten up
Check all your globes – including in your range hood and oven – and make sure they are working. You can increase the sense of space both inside and outside your home with the careful placement of mirrors, lamps and light fittings, and by making sure that windows are sparkling clean inside and out. Prior to photography or an open home, turn on all your lights, leave all internal doors open and give your home a really thorough inspection yourself. Discuss with your agent which areas you should overhaul before holding open homes. You want to ensure you are increasing appeal without overcapitalising.
Pets
Always clean and tidy up after your pets and, if possible, take them from the property with you as you leave during inspections.
Warmth, cosiness and comfort
Create a comfortable environment by preparing your home to suit the temperature of the day. If it’s cold, light fires, turn on patio heaters and heating. If it’s hot, turn on fans and cooling systems. Craft a welcoming atmosphere for your home with the use of soft furnishings, fresh linens, and music.
Be creative and trust yourself
Try to highlight what is unique about your property by styling it to emphasise its distinctive features rather than going for generic styling, which buyers have seen over and over again on their house hunt. This will help to create an emotional connection between the home and the buyer who is going to fall in love with it. Modern, on-trend colours usually make a property more desirable to buyers.You know your home better than anyone, so you are in the best position to highlight what is special about it.
And now you can go out for a coffee and relax and let us showcase your home!
