SELLING TIPS

Did you know that a recent survey found that the decision to buy is often made within 45 seconds of first seeing the property? First impressions count. If you want to make sure your house gives a great first impression, we encourage you to follow the steps below.

The view from the outside
This is the first picture prospective buyers will get, so make sure your home looks as good as possible from the outside.

Your garden should be tidy and any plants look alive and well. Planting a few flowers or placing a few pot plants strategically can help make your garden look even better.

If your house needs a coat of paint, this may be a wise option and help get more buyers into your home. But make sure you pick a neutral colour that won't put buyers off.

Your front windows should gleam, and don't ignore the front door. A side driveway should be free of clutter, such as skateboards or bikes, and the garage door should be shut. If you do have a garage, particularly one with internal access, highlight the potential to convert it to additional living space.

Around the back of the house, repeat the tidy up plan, mow the grass, consider outdoor furniture as it creates a feel of leisure, and water the garden and trim the plants.  Gardening equipment should look organised and tucked away. Ensure that there are no clothes hanging on the clothes line.

The inside story
Look at each room as if you're seeing it for the first time. Ask yourself is it as clean as it could be? Get rid of clutter and make sure any carpets or floor boards are clean and free of stains.

Natural light is a vital selling point, so concentrating on this aspect of every room is your first priority. Clean the windows, pull back curtains and blinds or open the slats of the blinds. Few people like a dark house, and having the curtains/blinds open showing the view will make the rooms feel bigger.

If a room's light will be enhanced by a coat of paint, go for a few shades lighter than you used before where possible. This technique also has the added benefit of making the room look bigger.

1. De-clutter
When your house is open for potential buyers you want them to see an orderly, spacious residence that has a feeling of lots of room. This is achieved by de-cluttering.

This just doesn't mean tidy up a bit, this is the Spring clean to end all Spring cleans! Get the skips in to get rid of anything that is not an heirloom, of extreme personal or financial value, or has not been used in six months, or in fact, have a garage sale before you sell. You will then have some cash for any repairs and the advertising!

Pack anything you will not absolutely need during the advertising campaign. After all, you are going to be moving, and you will need to pack it anyway once you have actually sold, why not pack it now and improve your chances of a speedy sale?

If you have children, then get savage with the toys.

Storage is an important feature. Remove all the unnecessary articles that have accumulated in your storage cupboards/space. Make your rooms appear bigger by removing and storing excess furniture. Do this especially if the rooms are small. A mini storage unit only costs a small amount, or ask a friend if you can borrow their garage or spare room for the next few weeks.

Keep stairways and all walkways clear. It's dangerous for prospective purchasers and makes the house look cluttered.

2. Tidy up the Garden
Get out and weed those gardens, trim branches and plants from near windows to let more light into the house, mow the lawns, cut the edges of the grass. Then mulch, it makes a garden look so much more attractive and also helps save you water. Clean out your gutters.

3. Bedrooms and bathrooms
Neat orderly rooms look larger. Tidy up the bedroom for a spacious appearance. Check, and double check your bathroom. Tidy drawers and vanity, putting cosmetics, razors and toiletries away. Some attractive bottles of perfume look elegant. Put a posy or bowl of compote of dried, fragrant petals by the basin, and maybe a display of pretty soaps.  Bright and clean bathrooms sell many houses. In the bedrooms, use your best bed covers and put cushions and soft toys on the children’s beds.

4. Odd-jobs time
We are all guilty of letting those little jobs "that I'll do one day" build up. They MUST get done before the buyers come through. Fix that broken tile or dripping tap, oil the door, get a glazier in to repair the cracked window and clean stained baths or basins. These are the little things that can put a buyer off. The cost of fixing them will be far less than the discount a buyer will demand off your asking price to accept them as they are.

Check that all windows, doors and locks operate freely and easily. If there is a light socket without a bulb, replace the bulb. If these things are not checked before we show your home, we may inadvertently draw attention to them, and these will be things the buyers will remember about your home and will negatively influence their decision to purchase.

5. To Paint or Not to Paint?
Don't repaint the entire house - unless it desperately needs it - although be prepared to do ceilings, smaller rooms and heavy traffic areas. Get rid of any peeling paint on gutters, doors or window surrounds and give them a fresh coat. Repair or replace any peeling wallpaper.

6. Clean as you have never cleaned
Clean the walls, floors and skirting and marks on the carpet or around light switches. Put clutter away neatly in cupboards, clear table and counter tops and don’t leave dishes in the sink. A thorough house cleaning will give your home that well-kept look. You may wish to have the carpets professionally cleaned. Hop up on a ladder and hunt down cobwebs and dust, dust, dust. But remember, on the Open Days make sure your home doesn't smell of cleaners. Use all the chemicals early in the day and then open up all the windows and doors. Heat up some essential oils in a burner, brew some percolated coffee or maybe bake something in the oven. A few drops of vanilla essence strategically placed early in the day, will mask most odours.

7. Don't Go Overboard
Resist the temptation to go overboard with pre-sale improvements. Don't put in new carpets, a kitchen or bathroom unless the existing ones badly let down the overall feel of your home. It is possible to spend a large sum of money on renovations that your buyer might not want. Sometimes the buyer would like to choose their own carpet, or may have allergies and want no carpet at all! In this case they will throw out your brand new carpet, and polish the floor. It can sometimes be a better idea to adjust your expected price, and use money you would have spent on the renovation to improve the home you are moving IN to, rather than OUT of!

8. Desperation Calls
If you hit a problem that you can't handle, or don't have the time, then maybe get professional help. We are more than happy to give you contact details for handymen, gardeners, decorators or even home stylists. A little money spent fixing a problem can be a major earner come sale time.

… the last word
A well presented home says "welcome". It doesn’t have to be a pristine "show place" but it should appear a comfortable home in which to live. Your home will be one of many on the market at any time. You need to present your home in such a way to get the best price within a set time. Presentation really does count. 

If you are in any doubt, please consult your Neighbourhood Realty listing agent that you have entrusted with the sale. They are helping many families just like yours with exactly these issues – and they can help!

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