Selling a home isn’t always easy. In an ideal world, you would be inundated with offers the moment you put your home up for sale. Sadly this is not always the case. The property market has picked up quite a lot in the last couple of years, but in some areas the number of sellers outstrips available buyers by a not inconsiderable margin. If this is the case in your area, it is worth going the extra mile to make your home more attractive to potential buyers.
There are many features that make a home appealing to buyers. Some are easy to implement; others less so. Clearly budget is a consideration, but if you need to sell your home sooner rather than later, it is worth making an effort to give your property a makeover. So what are your options?
De-clutter Rooms
Clutter is extremely off-putting to buyers. The more cluttered a room is, the less spacious it appears. People want more for their money, so they are less likely to be interested in a property that looks smaller than another home listed at the same price.
Tidy everything away that you don’t use on a daily basis. Put the boxes in the garage, in storage, or take them over to a friend’s house. Leave only the items you need, plus a few interesting ornaments, books, etc. to create a sense of ambiance in your home.
A Spot of Spring Cleaning
A clean home is essential. Nobody wants to move into a filthy house unless it’s available at a bargain basement price. Clean bathrooms and kitchens until they are pristine before buyers come for a viewing. And if you have pets, remove all traces of pet odor.
Decorate in Neutral Colours
Nothing puts off buyers more than outdated décor. You might be able to get away with it if your home is stuck in a retro time warp – there are plenty of people who love a 70s vibe – but for most sellers, it is a good idea to give the main rooms a refresh with some neutral paint. Magnolia may be boring, but it won’t put anyone off (unlike lime green or passionate purple).
Home Staging
Home staging is a trick for selling a home, but you can make it work for you. The idea is simple. All you have to do is present your home in such a way that people coming to view will want to buy into your lifestyle. So if you are hoping to attract young families, present each room to appeal to parents with children.
Create Curb Appeal
Don’t ignore the outside of your home. A tidy front garden is crucial. Hang a flowering basket or two, cut the lawn and weed the borders. Every little thing helps!
If you need advice on how to make your home more attractive to buyers this How to Sell a House: A Comprehensive Handbook for First Timers is a must read. You'll have everything you need from a simple checklist of documents you'll need to proven negotiation strategies from top real estate professionals.