Here are 10 powerful tips to get your property sold as fast as possible.
1. Don’t Get Personal!
Whether working with a professional or going it alone cut all emotional ties! Visit each room, remember the memories, and then pack the sentimentality away. It clouds judgement; don’t look at your house from the perspective of it being yours, or this is who we are; buyers aren’t interested. Remove and store as many personal items as possible, all family
photos, certificates, diplomas, medicine, etc.
2. Pack and store/dispose of 2/3s of every closet and cupboard.
It is a great time to start deciding what you want to keep/donate/dispose of. Organised storage space in one of the most frequently requested interior feature of buyers.
3. First Impressions are the only ones that count.
People have choices today. They make decisions about your property within a blink of an eye. Wherever the eye rests, the sale begins! Are they looking at the RIGHT things?
4. Understand staging is about condition more than décor.
Sure, the house has to look and feel good… but remember buyers are savvy. They will deduct from the offering (IF they offer) their own perceived value for deferred maintenance! This means you must repair anything that needs it. Replace any fixtures over 8 years old. Clean like your life depends on it. (Your equity will.) Pack and store (off property) anything you won’t use in the next two to three months. Remember, buyers are buying their new house, not your old one!
5. Update the kitchen.
This is the most important room in the house. If buyers fall in love with the kitchen and it exceeds their expectations, they will compromise anything on their “must have” list.
6. Keep all bedrooms gender neutral.
This includes kids’ rooms and the master! Don’t think, “Oh, they can make the mental shift.” They can’t, won’t, and don’t. You have a 3 minute opportunity to get this house sold. Why would you
jeopardise a single second?
7. Bathrooms are the second most important room in the house.
If you have the money, upgrade what you can. At least in the main bath, change the old cabinet style sink for a pedestal or furniture sink. Remember, storage is vital. With the extra space gleaned, consider installing an organised linen closet that has deep pull out drawers.
8. Odor and Allergens ALERT!
Over the past 50 years more than ever, the rise in prevalence of allergic diseases has increased exponentially. Worldwide, sensitization rates to one or more common allergens, is approaching 50%! You don’t know whether the future buyer is allergic to one of them. When you live in your house, you will not be able to smell what others do. Assume the worst and prepare. Best option: no smells at all! Open windows. Don’t use household or garden chemicals products. Buy safe cleaning products like PureAyre. If you have pets, remove them from the property for the duration of sales process (spa, friend, family).
9. Lighting:
All over the house make sure every lightbulb is energy efficient and at the highest wattage the light fixture will take. Clean all the fixtures for maximum sparkle and consider replacing any fixture older than 8 to 10 years.
10. 74% of prospect buyers will drive by your property before they even think about viewing it and half of them will do it at night.
What that means to you is considerable thought going into curb appeal! Never underestimate its power. Curb appeal done well is like gift wrapping on a present! The National Association of Realtors said, “Great curb appeal sells more than half of ALL houses that go on the market.” The allure captures interest. Outdoor lighting is vital. It goes without saying to light up the porch. Be sure the numbers of the house are illuminated and visible from the street, Also consider lighting
pathways. Spotlight a feature of the property, like a dramatic tree in front of the house.
Landscape experts agree there is 100% ROI for monies invested in front, back and side yards. Curb appeal wraps around to resort/lifestyle living in the backyard too. It is one of the most undervalued aspects of Market Preparedness that can actually add dollars to your bottom line! 95% percent of people surveyed said outdoor living amenities are vital! Outdoor allure extends also to balconies, decks and patios. Give people what they least expect. They don’t know they want it, but when they see it, they can’t resist! The more you can accommodate that, the easier your house is to sell.
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