When you decide to put your house on the market, you will often see a shift in the way you see your old home. That stubborn mark on the wall that annoyed you for years after your child scribbled on it in permanent marker now has you feeling nostalgic (what the?!) And that wrecked, overflowing box full of movies you used to watch on rainy days with the whole family makes you feel teary (and not because it’s hideous!)
It’s inevitable that selling your house will have you reminiscing about the great times you and your family have had in it and that’s totally fine! But when it comes to selling, you really need to put the objective goggles on and look at giving your home a pre-sale makeover. I’m here to help you do just that with my Pre-Sale House Preparation Guide below.
1. Change your mindset
When you make the commitment to sell your home, it’s essential to change the way you look at the property. The property can no longer be considered a home, it needs to be transformed into a product! It can still be a wonderful space to live and share with friends and family but when you are looking at its presentation, you need to tune into the mindset of a home buyer.
2. De-clutter
There is so much research about the importance of de-cluttering for peace of mind and it’s something I really believe in. However, where I find people often go wrong is that they struggle to find the happy medium! Many of my clients often get confused with their version of clutter and mine so they strip the place of all soul and warmth by removing all the books, art and items packed with personality! This often leaves the place looking like a ghost town. I strive to create that ‘homely’ feeling in every property I work in, so don’t go overboard when de-cluttering!
3. Mend the tired bones
The Australian climate can be very unforgiving on the exterior of our properties, especially in summer. It’s all too easy to find your deck has gone without oil for a few months too long, the air conditioner vent needs a good scrub or your bathroom grout has seen better days. These are all things that, when combined, have a huge impact on the sale of a property.
4. Shine Shine Shine
You’ve finished the hard part – now time to make your home shine! To ensure you cover everything, start at the ceiling centre and work your way down. Leave no stone unturned! If cleaning is not your thing, it’s definitely something I would outsource to make sure that it is done well. Research shows that the number one turn off for buyers is a dirty space so don’t risk letting your house down when it comes to the finer details.
These four steps will have you well on your way to increasing your property value! Depending on your budget, the next step might be considering upgrades and styling (which you can read about in many of my blogs).
If you would like more advice on how to get your property ready for sale, you can read my Free Tips to Help You Increase Your Property Value!
Interested in more? Click the infographic below to claim your Free Guide for the Top 12 Things to Look For When Buying a Quick Flip Renovator!
Naomi Findlay is an experienced interior designer, project manager and stylist who also loves sharing her passions and experience by teaching others.
These are excellent points for selling a house, if you want to sell your home then make sure that you follow these tips. I agree that giving your home a pre-sale makeover is an important thing to look for. Thanks for sharing..!!
Thanks for the feedback Ernie! Glad you find the blog valuable!