Moving home is one of the top 5 most stressful events in life. We should know. Our family bought and sold in a very hot market. I’m sure we have a few more grey hairs to prove it! Naturally, when selling, we wanted to maximise the return on investment. By doing this, we could spend more on our next purchase. We asked a local handyman to show us what we should be spending money on, before going to market. These tips for selling your house will make a huge difference in that first impression. Here’s what he said.
First impressions
Selling a home is stressful enough. Let’s make it as stress-free as possible to get top dollar for your property without spending a fortune. Budget & timeframe could mean big jobs like a completely new kitchen or bathroom reno won’t happen. The good news is, that other lower-cost jobs are also less time-consuming and can improve the value of your home.
Fencing, gates, and post box
When buyers pull up outside your home this is the first thing they see. The aim is to make it pop and give it street appeal. Making sure your fence is upright is always a good start. Repair or replace any broken panels. A fresh coat of paint can make a wooden fence look brand new. Does the gate work? Check that the hinges are secure and open freely without falling off. Does it squeak? A new, fresh-looking postbox with the house number added can again make a difference and help to modernise the outside.
Windows, coverings, blinds
Even before they’ve got out of the car they can see if flyscreens are ripped, windows are broken or frames are rotting with chipped paint. You can buy mesh from Bunnings and renew all of the flyscreens which is very cost-effective. Whilst you’re there grab some paint for the frames to freshen them up.
For blinds or curtains make sure they all work and are hanging neatly. If you have blinds, check they don’t have any broken parts. Make sure your curtains are clean and hanging nicely. Many are machine washable to make life a little easier. The only exception is with block-out curtains.
Driveway, entrance, and front door
A quick pressure-wash to the driveway and paths makes a huge difference giving it a clean new look. If you have a veranda with furniture make sure the cushions are washed and chairs have four legs, not three! Again pressure-wash this area including steps. You could even paint or stain it.
Please declutter the driveway and entrance removing any rubbish, garden waste or other bits and bobs left lying around. Buyers don’t want to see your shoes, toys or boat parts by the front door, so store them away out of sight. Keep it clear and maybe add a plant or two to give that nice homely feel. Does the doorbell work? How about the light globes? Did you wipe down the screen and front door? Do you need to replace them?
Walls and ceilings
After viewing your home from the outside it’s time to step inside. Again, declutter all areas and store your possessions out of sight. Freshly painted walls and ceilings make a huge difference. We strongly recommend choosing neutral colours. No feature walls. Think of a blank canvas. You want prospective buyers to visualise your home being their home. Clean, fresh, neutral walls and ceilings will allow buyers to visualise their furniture, hang their paintings, and place their rugs in a room.
Take a look at your ceilings and make sure there are no cobwebs. Light fittings and switches need to be clean with no dirty fingerprints.
While you may love the photos of your family hanging on your walls, you should aim to present your home as if you had employed a home styling company. Remove evidence of your family so they can see their family living there.
Flooring and skirting boards
Floorboards or carpets? The floorboards need to be mopped clean. If they’re damaged they may need replacing. Even a quick sand and a stain will make all the difference.
If you have carpet, run the vacuum around. You can hire carpet cleaners from the local supermarkets, they are easy to operate, or you can ask a carpet cleaning company to come in and freshen them up. Removing stains from the carpet and replacing it with a freshly cleaned smell, will benefit open-house viewings.
Skirting boards shouldn’t be overlooked either. Damaged or scratched skirtings can be replaced with painted ones from Bunnings.
Open house
Lighting up your home as much as possible makes a huge difference to the feel of a room. You’ll notice this is one of the first things an agent will do. Turn lamps on to help brighten the room and open your curtains and blinds to let the natural light in.
Plump cushions on your bed and any chairs or seats. It should feel soft and welcoming. Have a fresh set of clean towels to hang in the bathroom and remove bath mats to make the space bigger.
For some last-minute finishing touches, make sure you air your home beforehand. Light a candle, spray a fresh scent and have all your sinks and basins clear and sparkling. Remove pet bowls or litter trays and keep pets out of the way. Ideally, take them off the property with you. Make sure you do one last check of each room, just like when you go on holiday. good luck!
Need some tradies? Check out our Lake Mac Family Life Business directory and hire a local tradie: Trades & Home Maintenance.
