First impressions matter when it comes to transacting property so embarking on a spruce up of your home to ready it for sale is a wise move.
But what should you do, how far should you go and how much should you spend to help secure the best price for your home?
MARQ Partner and Licensed Agent, Justin Taylor, said deciding on how much to invest in preparing your home for sale was not an exact science; and a lot depended on the property and its age.
“First impressions matter so vendors should make sure the property is well maintained and any cosmetic issues are fixed well before it is advertised for sale. That way, the home will have the best chance of achieving the best price,” Justin said.
Fix it
Prospective buyers want to be impressed by what they see so start by making simple repairs and undertake routine maintenance. Fix anything that is not working properly or is unsightly, including dripping taps, scuffed paintwork, stained carpet and obvious damage, which will let the presentation of your home down if not addressed.
It’s vital that any lingering maintenance issues or fix-it jobs are completed before listing the property for sale.
“It’s a good idea to put your best foot forward and have any outstanding maintenance issues ironed out before you advertise your home for sale. Otherwise, you’re likely to play catch up and it could turn some buyers off knowing there is still work to be done,” XXX said.
If you plan to undertake other more significant improvements before your home hits the market, seek feedback from your real estate agent as it can be fine line between making your home more appealing and overcapitalising. Your MARQ agent will be able to provide some advice as to whether you’re likely to recoup any outgoings in the sale price.
Some vendors are happy to invest $5000 or $10,000 to get their property ‘sale ready’, and often the investment translates to a great sales price, but it’s not an opportune time to embark on full-scale renovations.
Clean and declutter
A deep clean and declutter of your property is essential before you put it on the market.
Whether you do it yourself or call in professionals is a matter for you to decide, but without a doubt, a dirty or untidy home will make your property less attractive to buyers.
Minimising the number of personal effects around the house will also make the home more appealing and possibly even bigger in appearance. Removing clutter can also be helpful for potential buyers as it allows them to really imagine themselves in the home without all your holiday happy-snaps and knick-knacks around.
Stage it
If you can afford to, pay a professional to stage your home look its best. Commissioning an expert to style your property will help showcase it in the best possible light with a minimalist influence and less clutter.
Some people are deterred from paying for a professional stylist, but the investment can pay dividends when it comes to the final sales price of your home.
Street appeal
We’re told never to judge a book by its cover, but it’s a different story when it comes to buying property. Street appeal matters. It’s the first step of getting prospective buyers through the front door so turn your attention to the front yard and façade, whether with a few hours of weeding and pruning, by adding some new plants to the garden or splashing some exterior paint around.
The right agent
You will need to entrust the sale of your home to an experienced, professional and effective real estate agent and that means investing time in planning and research to ensure you make the best decision. A good real estate agent should have thorough knowledge of the local property market and a solid understanding of real estate happenings in your neighbourhood. Don’t be afraid to ask prospective agents questions about their processes and track record to ensure they’re a sound fit for you and for your property. It’s also a good idea to seek out reviews from others or chat to people you know if they have previously used the agent and their services.