7 Steps to prepare your home for sale

1. Declutter

It’s time to ‘Marie Kondo’ your space! Removing the clutter will make your home feel larger and more appealing. 

• Start by removing everything you haven’t used or won’t need for a while.
• Consider hiring a storage unit so you can remove surplus furniture and other items away from the house, or store items in cartons neatly tucked away in the garage.
• Remember to declutter cupboards too – buyers will check storage during open homes. If cupboard space in your home is in short supply, having crammed cupboards will only confirm that this is a problem feature, so clear them out.
• Use decluttering as an opportunity to sell or throw out items that won’t be coming with you to the next home.
• Remove or replace chattels that you don’t want to sell before the first open home, e.g. your favourite pendant light.

2. Modernising 

Think carefully about expensive renovations – you don’t want to over-capitalise! Before tackling big jobs like a new kitchen, carpet or bathroom, look at areas that can increase the sale price at the lowest investment. Restaining the deck, some new curtains or door handles are small feats that could modernise the property at a cost you can make back on the sale price. 

Seek advice from a valuer or agent to help you decide which actions are likely to increase the value of the property.

3. Deep Clean

Now that your home is free of clutter, it’s a good time to do a big spruce up! There’s nothing worse than going to an open home that is dirty, it will put potential buyers off straight away.

If you’re short of time, you won’t regret hiring a professional to do this for you.  Approach this like spring clean – one room at a time. Polish every surface including doors, walls, sinks and taps until the whole house is gleaming. Once you’ve finished we promise it’ll be much easier to keep your place spotless on the days you’re holding open homes. 

4. De-personalise

Start thinking about the house objectively as a property for sale. This will help you remove yourself emotionally from your home and will help you see it as buyers do. Talk to your agent about who is likely to be interested in your property, and think about what will appeal to them. 

• Remove any personal photos and items.
• Consider having your home staged – home stagers consider the target market of your property and what furniture will best appeal to them, bringing out the best features of your home. 

5. Street Appeal 

First impressions are key! You want people to fall in love with your property from the moment they walk through the gate.

• In preparation for sale and open homes, ensure the lawns are mowed, paths swept and weeds are killed. 15 minutes in the garden before each open home will make all the difference.
• Is your gate working well? Move onto removing any outdoor stuff that is old, broken, unnecessary or likely to create obstacles for visitors.

6. Touch-ups and repairs 

Do you have a list of jobs that you’ve been putting off for years? It’s time to get the ladder out!

• Replace any missing lightbulbs, rehang loose curtains and replace discoloured light switches. 
• Take a look around for leaks, damaged drainage, cracks and dents. 
• Make sure you have all documentation for any changes made to the property
• We’ll help you prioritise the tasks if you’re short of time and budget!

7. Do your research

What’s selling in your area? Attend open homes in your area and take a look at what you liked or didn’t like about those. Was there anything that put you off? Consider how you might make your open home more appealing.