You wouldn’t go to a job interview in your pyjamas, so why would you put your house on the market looking untidy?
In the last month or so we have experienced an increase in supply of properties on the local Macarthur market. This means that the number of buyers attending open homes is now further spread and therefore less than the usual stampede.
Prudential Real Estate wants to ensure that our client’s property stands head and shoulders above the rest...so here is our advice to vendors looking to stand-out this selling season.
First Impressions Count
From the curbside to your front door should be impeccable. Allocate a weekend to tidy up and repair the external appearance of the property and walk around your property as if you are a buyer critiquing your home and take note of areas that require improvement.
Some ideas about what you should focus on sharpening: cut back hedges and overhanging tree branches, clean out gutters, repair and paint awning, wash down windows and doors, fix fences and paths and fertilise and water plants. Note: remove all garden ornaments...if you collect gnomes or pink flamingos in your garden that’s fantastic, but not to everyone’s taste.
Indoor- outdoor living is all the rage
Invite the indoors out by decluttering pergolas, BBQ areas and styling these areas with welcoming outdoor furniture and inexpensive outdoor accessories including lanterns, candles, table settings and cushions.
Cleanliness is next to godliness
Clean down indoor and outdoor areas and make the whole house sparkle!
Doing a major Spring clean a few weeks ahead of the first open home will allow you to undertake minimal maintenance with a brief touch-up here while your home is on the market. Make a feature of key rooms such as the pool/spa, bathroom and kitchen by making them gleam!
Create interest and a sense of ‘home’
Polish and dress furnishings to the best of your ability and maximise countertop space. This will leave you with space that can afford personalised touches such as matching hand towels in the bathroom and hand moisturiser. Staging plays an important role in helping potential buyers picture themselves calling your property, ‘home’.
Heart is where the home is….and the kitchen.
No matter how many groups of buyers pass through your home, the only thing on the mind of the home cook is the state, presentation and practicality of the kitchen.
Our advice is to declutter, emphasise negative space on countertops, polish appliances and hide outdated appliances (if possible). We recommend that you also stage the kitchen with homely accents like a a bunch of fresh flowers or a decorative bowl of fresh fruit to win over the whole family.
For more handy hints about how you can add thousands to your property's sale price please email Shelby at shelby.cockburn@prudential.com.au for your free copy of 'How To Sell Your Home For Thousands More'.
