Decided that Summer is the right time for you to sell? Here are 5 tasks to add to your to-do list to ensure buyers fall in love with your home from the moment they step foot through the door.
1. Identify the deal-breakers
It’s easy to think of all the reasons why people would buy your home. But what about the reasons they wouldn’t? As a first step in preparing to sell your home, make a list of all the potential deal-breakers and make it a priority to tackle these prior to listing your home. Consider how much more appealing your home could be to buyers by investing a little bit of time and money in things you might otherwise overlook. It could be a fresh coat of paint to breathe new life into your interiors, replacing old or dirty curtains or blinds, or finally fixing those broken pavers at the entrance you’ve been putting off for months. It’s these small upgrades that can totally transform your home and help you secure the best possible price.
2. Nail the street-appeal
There’s no denying it – first impressions count. When prospective buyers walk up to your home, you want them the be instantly impressed and excited to see what’s inside. Street appeal not only leaves a lasting impression, but it sets the tone and the expectation for what’s inside. Wrangle any unruly hedges, repair any broken parts of the fence and add a little bit of character with personal touches such as a colourful doormat, eye-catching house numbers, or an interesting letterbox. These small things, coupled with overall street appeal, ensure your home makes a brilliant first impression and is utterly memorable.
3. Set the scene outside
Buyers love indoor-outdoor living and the lifestyle it creates. If you’re selling your home during the warmer months, it’s important to create an outdoor space that is inviting. As soon as buyers step outside, you want them to picture themselves spending warm days in the garden and balmy nights entertaining outdoors. When you’re preparing your home for sale, ensure decks, grassy areas and pools look fresh, clean and enticing. Weed, trim, plant and mulch, and set the scene with an outdoor dining area if you have the space.
4. Clean and declutter
Decluttering comes hand-in-hand with moving house. Not only does getting on the front foot with cleaning early make the move more seamless, but it also shows buyers that your home is fresh and ready for a new owner to live in right away. There’s no better prompt to get rid of unwanted belongings than listing your home. Sell unwanted items on Marketplace or Gumtree, donate to charity, or organise a council clean-up. As homes tend to present better when there is less clutter, it’s also a good idea to go easy on any Christmas decorations. Plus, keeping decorations to a minimum will help with the longevity of the listing over the summer months.
5. Do your research
There’s plenty (perhaps too much) of information out there about the property market, but a lot of the narrative speaks to the bigger picture, with stats we read about and see on the news often at a state or national level rather than telling the story of each suburb. The best way to understand your local market is to take a look at comparable sales in your area and trends over recent months. Talking to your local agent is a great way to align your price expectations and will be immensely helpful if you’re on the hunt for your next property.
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