Whilst your appointed agent will work tirelessly to sell your home in the best possible light, there are a few inexpensive and sometimes free ways to present your property in the best possible light.
Taking the time to address minor cosmetic repairs and improvements will ensure that your property is given the best possible chance to appeal to potential buyers.
At Aligned Real Estate, we don’t just provide you with the pointers on how to complete such tasks, although we have aligned ourselves with industry experts that can assist you in the presentation of your property, from cutting the lawn to property staging.
Step 1. Identifying areas that need attention.
It can be quite difficult to view your own property from the eyes of a potential buyer, although by doing so, you are able to see areas that may need attention. Alternatively, invite a friend to come over to have a look over with a fresh set of eyes to outline areas which you may have missed.
Be mindful of how your property presents from the street.
Purchase a new doormat.
Clean the front door of any dust and repaint if necessary.
Clean exterior paintwork and brickwork.
Repair broken or cracked windows.
Clean fly screens.
Clean out gutters and down pipes.
Remove cobwebs.
Clean or paint the front gate, letter box and fence.
Clean exterior lights and check to ensure they are functioning.
Clean the garage door.
Clean the garage or carport floor and remove oil stains.
Sweep and clean the driveway and remove all oil stains.
Step 2. Green keeping.
A well maintained front and rear garden will further enhance the overall appeal to potential buyers.
Mow the lawns regularly.
Trim all garden hedges.
Weed garden beds.
Replenish mulch areas.
Remove any dead plants.
Trim any trees and shrubs that are obstructing windows or overhanging roof’s and gutters.
Prune untidy creepers.
Remove any rubbish and garden clippings.
Remove pet droppings regularly.
Put away any garden tools and hoses.
Store rubbish bins out of sight.
Step 3. Outdoor entertaining areas.
Sweep up leaves.
Clean paved areas (High pressure wash if possible)
Clean timber decking and re coat if necessary.
Clean outdoor furniture.
Remove dead pot plants and replace with healthy plants.
Ensure the pool water is crystal clear including water features and ensure they are operational.
Tidy up or remove children’s toys and garden accessories.
Step 4. Making a lasting first impression.
There is no doubt that an entry to a home will leave a lasting impression whether positive or negative and decluttering the entry can play a vital role in how a potential buyer takes to the rest of the property.
Entrance.
Remove keys or shoes from buffet’s or side tables.
Remove any extra clothing off coat racks.
Adding a wall mirror can create a sense of space.
Floors.
Steam clean carpets if necessary.
Check timber floors and re-coat if necessary.
High pressure clean and disinfect dirty grout between tiles.
Walls.
Clean walls from any marks.
Repair and repaint any plaster that may have cracks or holes.
Remove any cobwebs in cornices and ceilings.
Vacuum skirting boards of any dust.
Kitchen.
Remove clutter from kitchen benches and refrigerator door.
Clean and organise pantry.
Polish chrome and stainless steel surfaces.
Ensure appliances (stove tops) area clean and completely operational.
Bathroom.
Remove any mould buildup.
Clean mirrors, exhaust fans and shower screens.
Put out clean towels and soup and toilet paper.
Storage.
Ensure storage areas including the garage are as organised as possible minimising the amount of clutter.
Ensure that storage areas are free from dust as much as possible.
Furniture.
Remove or re-arrange furniture to create a sense of spaciousness.
Ensure an easy path of travel for potential buyers to be able to walk around furniture.
General areas.
Clean window seals of any dust.
Remove any clutter from common areas or anything that may be seen as visual noise.
Clean and polish all woodwork.
Remove children’s toys and store in cupboard.
Turn on the heater on a cold day to ensure the house is warm and comfortable to be inside of, vise versa on a hot day by turning on the air-conditioning if available again to create a sense of comfort for potential buyers.
Keep rooms we ventilated and fresh.
Clean any dirty light switches and ensure they are operational.
Step 5. How to create a warm and inviting atmosphere on Open for Inspection days.
Open all curtains and blinds to allow as much natural light as possible.
Turn on lights in dark areas.
Ensure bed linen is dressed and well presented.
Remove any dishes in the kitchen, including emptying the dish washer.
Light a vanilla or lavender scented candle.
Remove shoes from the front and back door.
Remove pets form the property.
Minimise any cooking or cigarette smoking when approaching inspection times.
Place fresh flowers to being color into a room.
Play soft background music to create a relaxed environment.
Remove any garbage.
Remove clothes from the clothes line.
Store valuable items in a safe and secure place.
In order to achieve the best possible sales outcome for your property, Aligned Real Estate has aligned itself with industry experts to assist you in preparation and presentation of your property. Be comforted in the thought that we strive to assist every step of the way to ensure we secure the best possible outcome for your property whether it is for sale or for lease.
Call us today for more advice on how to get your property ready for sale or lease.