So, you’ve decided to sell your house. How will you impress prospective buyers? Buying a home is often the biggest purchase a person will make, and yet buyers are prone to base their house choices on emotions. If you can get a buyer to fall in love at first sight, then you will have a quick sale.
In home selling, appearance is everything. But you don’t have to spend tens of thousands of Rands preparing your property for viewing. Take a quick inventory of your property. What are your home’s strengths … and how can you show them off? Also look at the flipside: what are your home’s weaknesses … and how can you downplay them?
Here are 3 cheap-and-quick tips from the experts:
Tip #1: Pack Up
The very first thing, is to tidy up. Look around: when last did you even notice the untidy pile of magazines on the kitchen counter, the old and half-empty bottles on top of the bathroom cabinet, and the rip in that one scatter cushion? You may not be aware of this clutter, but you can be sure that buyers will notice.
Buyers that have to edge around furniture that is too large for the space will think that your rooms are small and pokey. Why not open up the room by putting some of the furniture into short-term storage? Give people the chance to walk around and enjoy the spaces. Pack up and store everything from furniture to ornaments.
Give prospective buyers the opportunity to imagine their stuff in each of the rooms. This way, they are already moving in. It is just a short step from doing it in their minds to unpacking boxes in real life. The best way is to provide a clean, neat, uncluttered canvas. In the kitchen, remove the fridge magnets and pictures. In the bathroom, pack away half-used shampoo bottles and cosmetics. In the bedroom, clear the nightstands.
Tip #2: Window Dress Like A Boss
How many of us have that one room – the one where you put all the things that don’t really have a home? That extra chair that looked so out of place in the lounge, the jackets you wore last winter, and those books that you are going to read, one day. The time has come to de-clutter and repurpose the room. Prospective buyers need to be shown the real value of the house – an inviting spare room with a crisp bed linen will be much more appealing than a junk room.
Tip #3: Go Outside
In South Africa, we like our braais. An outdoor entertainment area is very popular. Breathe new life into your patio or outdoor area by making sure the braai is clean and the stoep is swept. Whilst you are out there, trim back any unruly plants.
What are the finishing touches that people love? By looking at your house through a buyer’s eyes, you’ll quickly see what needs to be done to make your home more appealing.