Properly preparing your home for sale is one of the most valuable processes you can go through to ensure a smooth and worry-free house move.
Time after time, we have watched sellers put their homes on the market before preparing their property for sale, only to encounter a host of problems later down the line, including a lack of interest and a price reduction.
We’re not going to hide the fact that preparing your home for sale can be a lengthy process, but we promise it’s all worth it. So, if you’re looking to put your home on the market and hoping to receive offers thick and fast, follow our straightforward guide to selling success!
Preparing your home for sale – Must do’s!
Five simple pieces of advice that we recommend all homeowners carry out when preparing their home for sale.
De-clutter
Depending on how long you’ve lived in your home, de-cluttering may be a bit of a dirty word in your household. However, despite it being a tricky step to tackle, if you can de-clutter your home before putting it on the market, you will help buyers see your property in a new light. It will appear well-organised, spacious and also allow prospective buyers to appreciate the essence of your home, rather than all your stuff!
De-cluttering isn’t just for the benefit of buyers; it’s also an excellent opportunity to help you become emotionally prepared to sell your home and move somewhere new. Practically, when you come to packing and moving, you will already know that everything in your home are items you plan to keep.
De-personalise
Alongside de-cluttering your property, we also recommend de-personalising it when you start preparing your home for sale. Your goal should be to present it to prospective buyers as a house rather than a home.
This means packing up your personal items and storing them away safely during the sale process. Personal items we recommend removing include:
The result will leave your home feeling anonymous but trust us; this is a valuable selling tool that will allow buyers to walk into your property and start imagining themselves living there.
No pets
Your pets are integral members of your family, we get that, but unfortunately, prospective buyers may not share your love for dogs, cats and other furry friends. Our best advice is to clean and tidy away all evidence of your pets before putting your house on the market and keep them out of sight during viewings.
We would also highly recommend repairing any damage to your home caused by pets and ensuring no unpleasant smells are lingering, as these are two of the most common negatives that can put buyers off making an offer on a property.
If you want more helpful advice on preparing your home for sale if you own a pet, read our article “Selling your home with pets”.
Make repairs
You may have been able to live with that dodgy light switch and the ripped vinyl flooring in your bathroom for the past five years, but they won’t make the best impression to buyers. If a prospective buyer spots lots of little things that need repairing around your home, they will likely start doubting what else is wrong with your property.
Ultimately, this could lead to buyers trying to knock you down on the price of your home or walk away altogether.
We highly recommend making a list of all the repairs that need to be sorted in your home before putting it on the market and if you’re not into DIY, get a professional in to help you out.
Deep clean
Our final tip and our absolute favourite is deep clean your home! We can’t stress enough how vital a good spring clean is when preparing your home for sale.
Cleaning is a cheap and straightforward way to leave your home looking amazing before putting it on the market. You may also decide to go one step further and have your windows and carpets professionally cleaned, both of which are definitely worth the cost.
Not only will a freshly sparkling home leave it feeling appealing to buyers, but it will also be a lovely space to live. After your deep clean, all you will need to ensure is that you stay on top of cleaning during the selling process to keep those prospective buyers coming.
Preparing your home for sale – Go the extra mile
If you want to go the extra mile when it comes to preparing your home for sale, the following tips may be the reason a prospective buyer puts an offer on your property.
Neutral design
Interior design is a very personal process and an opportunity to show off your true style and tastes. However, it’s important to remember that your style will not be the same as every prospective home buyer who views your property.
When it comes to home design, you’re far better off playing it safe when preparing your home for sale. Cover up bold colours with more neutral ones to allow buyers to see your home as a blank canvas. A quick coat of magnolia can also leave a room feeling light, airy and spacious.
Bedrooms count
You might be planning to market your home as a three-bedroom house, but we appreciate you won’t necessarily be using all those rooms as bedrooms. If you currently have a spare room set up as an office, gym or playroom, it’s worth reminding potential buyers how many bedrooms your property boasts. In particular, prospective buyers find it helpful to see a good-sized bed in a room to feel confident it can be used as a bedroom.
Consider improvements
Well-considered home improvements are another great way to get your home sale-ready. However, we’re not talking about skylights and front porch extensions. Essential improvements such as central heating and roof repairs will show potential buyers that your property is loved. They will also eliminate the possibility of buyers trying to get you to reduce the price of your home to allow for repairs they would need to carry out.
Home staging
If interior design isn’t your talent, but you still want to ensure your home gets plenty of attention from prospective buyers. In that case, you may want to consider working with a professional home staging company.
Home staging is an excellent idea if you have already moved out of your property. At a price to suit your budget, furniture will be delivered and styled to ensure your home has the wow factor for viewings and give it that competitive edge.
Be honest
It’s always best to be open and upfront about any historic problems when preparing your home for sale. Make your estate agent aware of any historic issues that you anticipate coming up when your property is surveyed, not to give your potential buyers any unwelcome surprises.
Preparing your home for sale – Don’t bother
When it comes to preparing your home for sale, there are also a few quick sales tip myths that will not only create more work; they will also cost you!
Here are a few home updates that are not always necessary and you may want to avoid.
Renovation & modernisation
Buyers always want fully-renovated properties and ones that are up to date in terms of style and décor, right? Wrong! So long as your home is clean, smart and functional, it’s ready for sale and will attract interest from potential buyers. Homeowners are often led to believe that they need to upgrade every element of their homes before putting it on the market, but renovation projects are likely to lead you to spend more than you bargained for.
Kitchen & bathroom upgrades
Similarly to home renovations, clean, functioning kitchens and bathrooms are the main thing prospective buyers are looking for hunting for a new home. Okay, so you may not have a top of the range shower or the latest integrated kitchen gadgets, but buyers will be able to look past this. In fact, kitchens and bathrooms are two of the most likely rooms a new homeowner will upgrade after moving in.
Outdoor add-ons
It’s easy to start thinking of as many ways as possible to add value to your home when putting it on the market. In recent years gardens have become more desirable with buyers, and they will likely want to put their stamp on them after moving in. Therefore, it’s best to avoid significant garden improvements, such as conservatory extensions and decking areas. These are both costly home improvements and are not guaranteed to add value to your property. You’re far better off giving your garden a tidy-up and leaving it as a blank canvas for prospective buyers to be inspired by.
An easy way to envisage your home as the perfect property buyers are looking for is to imagine it as a show home. The reason why show homes are so enticing to prospective buyers and help sell countless homes is that they are clean & tidy, clutter-free and neutral.
Ultimately, you need to think about your buyer’s expectations. They want to imagine living in your house, not your home. Putting in the hours to prepare your home for sale before your property is photographed and viewings commence will save you time and heartache in the long run.
We specialise in helping you get more for your property. Quicker, easier and with less stress.
You can call us any time on 0333 016 5458 where we can provide help, guidance and support.
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