Are you thinking of selling your home? If so, there are a few things that you need to do before you list your home on the market. You have to think about selling your home from a buyer’s perspective. If you view your home as if you were the one buying it then you are more likely to get it perfect the first time around. Below are six things you need to do before you can list your home on the market.
Declutter
The first thing you must do is declutter your home. You might be surprised at how much stuff is just laying around without a proper home. Everyone has that one favourite drawer known as the junk drawer in their home. This will need to be cleared and sorted before you move out so why not do it as part of the decluttering session.
The reason you need to declutter before potential buyers come to view your home is that people need to be able to envision their own belongings in the space available. They also need a good gauge of how much space they have to play with in each of the rooms.
One way to declutter is to go to each room and create three piles. The first pile should be made up of the items you would like to keep, the second should be belongings that you want to sell, and the third one should consist of items you wish to throw away. Selling items when decluttering is a great way to make a little bit of extra cash to put towards the move or something else.
Clean
After you have decluttered it is important you thoroughly deep clean the house in order to get rid of any dust, dirt, debris, and lingering smells or stains. Nobody wants to move into a dirty house. If you have pets or have had pets over the years then it is important you are cleaning everywhere. Be sure to get in all the nooks and crannies to eradicate any remaining pet hair or dander. You never know if the people moving into your property have allergies.
The main areas to focus your attention on are the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure there is no black mould around the edges. It is also a good idea to clean all skirting boards as these are notorious for gathering dust.
If you are not feeling confident enough or you simply don’t have the time then you can of course call in the professionals to help you with this. They will be very used to house cleans and will make it look brand new.
Repairs
Unless you want people to move into a fixer-upper it is important you carry out any repairs that you have been putting off. You might have an extra-long to-do list to work through. Repairs need to be done as failing to complete these could lose you a house sale. When potential buyers want to buy your house they will survey your property. Any damage that shows up or any repairs that need to be done can put buyers off as they don’t want to do them.
Also, repairs that are delayed can turn into more expensive complicated issues. An example of this is a leaky roof. This can cause dampness in the walls and floors which will be expensive and messy to repair. Repairing the roof as soon as you noticed it could save a lot of time and money.
Simple repairs such as nail holes in the wall take a couple of seconds to fill in and new buyers appreciate the effort you have gone to. Another thing you need to check when looking for anything that needs repairing is the bathroom flooring. The bathroom is a particularly wet, steamy place and the floor can become easily damaged.
Outdoors
Everyone knows about curb appeal. This is how your property looks from the outside. It is important you keep it neat and tidy so people turning up aren’t put off by the appearance. Make sure the grass is kept short, mow it and water it regularly to keep it healthy.
Another great tip to make your property stand out is to add a border of flowers and some welcoming lighting. If you find your doors looking tired and worn then you should improve these before any viewings. Maybe a fresh coat of paint if the original paint is chipping away. Think about how the handles look as well, these are also important. If you think they need replacing then it is best to get them replaced.
If you are unsure of how your property looks from the outside, ask a friend or family member to stand and take a look. They will be able to give you an honest answer and tell you if you need to improve anything.
Photography
Once everything is done and you think the house is ready to be listed you will need to contact a photographer that has previously photographed houses. It takes a special kind of photographer to take pictures of your home as they have to make it look perfect. Shop around for the best photographer and read reviews and testimonials from previous customers and clients. You could also ask friends or family if they can recommend anyone that they have used.
An estate agent may also have an on-site regular photographer they use, this will save you the hassle of finding one.
Estate agent
One of the last things to do is find a decent estate agent to help you list the property and sell the property on your behalf. You can of course sell privately but this can be more hard work on your part as you will be doing everything yourself.
Estate agents will take a look at your property, suggest finding your USP, and give ways to get ready for open houses or viewings.
Finding a good estate agent can be tricky, there are many pros and cons to each one. Take a look online at different opinions and rates they charge to find the best one for you.
I hope you found this article helpful and it gives you some useful tips if you’re planning to put your home on the market.
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