Be prepared for sale
Real estate salespeople are often asked what can be done to spruce
up a home before an open inspection. It is an important issue for
vendors to consider, given that attractive, well-presented homes are
usually the most popular properties on the market.
Many people think that preparing a house for inspection has to be
expensive, but many small things can be done that are modest in cost,
and only require a little elbow-grease and some willing volunteers.
The front yard
The front garden is one of the first things purchasers will see when
they arrive at the property. Is it neat and tidy? Does it welcome
people to the property?
If your garden leaves a little to be desired, invest some time in
cleaning it up and, then, visit the local nursery to buy some flowering
plants and shrubs to fill any open spaces. For around $100, you should
be able to purchase a nice range of plants that will ensure your front
garden has some colour, looks neat, and welcomes potential buyers
inside. Of course, it does take some time to plan your gardening,
so planning ahead is important. It is best to start several months
before you put the property on the market.
Perimeter fencing can also make all the difference to the streetscape
appeal of your property. If your property has a wooden fence, consider
giving it a fresh coat of paint. Brush fences can be repaired for
a modest cost if they look a little tired; and, if you have a hedge
fence, trim it up so your property looks neat and tidy.
Outside areas
Garages can offer excellent storage space, but this can also leave
them looking cluttered and messy. As you have made the decision to
move home by placing your property on the market, why not get a head
start and clean the garage up now? Storage space can be rented for
very reasonable rates; and removing clutter is essential to ensure
the property looks its very best at open inspections.
And don’t forget to tidy the backyard and place your outdoor furniture
in a way that encourages people to think of the area as an additional
entertainment space.
Inside
The front door is the gateway to your home, so make sure it is welcoming.
Give it a good sweep so there are no cobwebs and then take a fresh
look at the inside area to which it opens. Consider the placement
of items such as a hallway table with a bunch of flowers, or a hatstand
if it looks a little bare.
If you have carpet in the home, getting it professionally cleaned
will remove most of the day-to-day stains and give it a fresh lease
of life. As we are now moving into winter, it may be worthwhile investing
in plastic carpet runners to avoid your freshly cleaned carpet collecting
muddy prints during your open inspections. Ensure that a quality doormat
is available for people to wipe their feet before they enter the home.
Also, don’t forget to clean or dust blinds and curtains, as these
can become quite dirty over time and are easily overlooked.
Throughout the house, make sure everything is neat and tidy and avoid
clutter. Potential buyers often like to visualize their own furniture
and belongings in a home, so it is important to keep the areas nice
and open, which will also make rooms appear larger. Consider placing
items in storage if you feel you have too much furniture, as clutter
can be a distraction.
A fresh coat of paint can really lift the atmosphere within a home,
but when considering colours, remember that everyone’s taste is different.
The safest colour choices are neutral tones. If you decide that painting
throughout is not necessary, a thorough wall clean and paint touch-ups
in high-traffic areas will still make a big difference.
General household maintenance, inside and out, is also important
to reflect that the vendor has cared for the property. Always engage
a licensed tradesperson to carry out any technical tasks so you can
be sure the job is done correctly and with proper regard to safety.
Now you feel that your house is ready for an inspection, ask a trusted
family member or friend in for an honest opinion. He or she will be
able to point out the little things that you might have overlooked,
such as light bulbs without shades, windows that need a quick wipe,
or furniture that looks out of place.
Investing time and effort into your property before an open inspection
will pay off in the long run, so plan ahead and reap the rewards.
