How To Prepare Your House For Sale

Almost every seller thinks that their home is fine as it is and maybe just needs a quick tidy round or a clean before being put up for sale. However, if you are looking to show your property at its absolute best, attract more viewings and achieve the best price, then there are some key points you need to follow before it goes on the market.

We spoke to some expert Romford estate agents about their real-life experience with buying and selling homes to get their top tips on preparing your house for sale.

Declutter

One of the most important and key steps, but still the one that sellers often neglect to follow or deem as unnecessary, is to thoroughly declutter.

When a potential buyer walks into a property, the last thing they want to see is ‘stuff’. Shoes, coats or miscellaneous items by the front door, nick knacks on every surface, toiletries filling every shelf in the bathroom, these are all things that should be minimal or out of sight. This includes organizing inside cupboards and wardrobes too as buyers will often want to look inside to see what type of storage is available.

This doesn’t mean that you remove any sense of personalization from the place, but an abundance of photo frames and miscellaneous items will only make the house feel smaller and cluttered. Remember to set aside any good pieces however such as candles, artwork, vases or artificial plants that could potentially be used later for staging.

Clean

We know it might be hard to keep a house pristine for multiple viewings that could take months, especially if you have children or pets but it really is crucial. Windows, the front door, bathrooms and the kitchen in particular are key areas to concentrate on so make sure that they are spick and span. Maybe look into hiring a cleaner to do a one-off deep clean or a professional carpet company to rejuvenate tired, dirty carpets, rugs and sofas.

Maintenance

You want to show your home in great condition and although you may be hesitant to spend money, parting with a little to carry out much-needed DIY, maintenance or decorating can make the home much more appealing and easier to sell. Ensure that all doors, cupboards, windows and handles are working and not loose or damaged as well as dripping taps, blown light bulbs, or blocked shower heads.

If you have rooms or walls that are too dark in color, look worn or run down, have marks on them or are maybe a bit of an acquired taste, then consider doing a spot of painting. Freshen up white woodwork, repaint walls in neutral colors such as creams, greys, and pastilles and even upcycle dated wardrobes or furniture with a coat of paint. It costs less than you think and just a little bit of time to make a really big difference.

Staging

This might seem unnecessary, but simple yet effective staging tricks can really impact the overall look and feel of a house and set the scene for potential buyers. Highlight the home’s best features or key areas such as;

• If there is a fireplace, then light it if it’s the right time of year or hangs a beautiful mirror or piece of artwork above it
• If you have great views, then make sure they are unobscured and the curtains are wide open
• Show off the fabulous kitchen with a well-stocked fruit bowl and a pretty centerpiece on the dining table
• Get some fresh flowers and place them sparingly in key rooms of the home
• Buy a new rug for the entranceway
• Purchase some new modern scatter cushions or throws for the sofa and bedrooms.

All of these little tweaks are fast and affordable ways to make your home appeal to a wider audience and set the scene for viewings.