PREPARING FOR YOUR OPEN HOME
Are you selling your home in the next few months? Then, you probably want to achieve the best price, sell without inspections, and open homes for months.
There are always small things you have thought about fixing or updating in your home. Small changes can significantly affect the selling price when a buyer feels they’re purchasing a beautiful home rather than a ‘fixer-upper’.
Your home is competing against other properties in the area, and like any product, buyers are looking to find the house that offers the best value for money. Achieving a good price in a reasonable time is about saleability. You don’t want to make changes if you aren’t going to get a return on that spend. Your asking price must reflect market conditions, and your property must be presented as a saleable item.
What can you do to make the property look great without spending unnecessary money?
TEN TIPS TO GET STARTED
DE-CLUTTER
Unsurprisingly, most owners recognise the need to de-clutter. This can be helpful on moving days with less to pack and organise. Purchase some packing boxes and store as many of the kids’ toys, tools, clothes and other items you can live without for a couple of months before potential buyers inspect your home. Store the boxes neatly in your garage or hire a small storage facility for the duration of the sale.
An alternative to packing is looking online, where you could make a few dollars selling some unwanted household items.
DE-PERSONALISE YOUR HOME
This can be hard for some, but buyers mustn’t see your home. They need to see a house that they can make their own. Pack away family photos, souvenirs or sports memorabilia, and remove names on rooms or doors. Present a blank canvas for the buyers to imagine a home for their family.
LIGHTEN UP ROOMS
Dark furniture, dark carpets and strong-coloured walls can make a room seem smaller. Remove or replace these items with something lighter and brighter where practicable and affordable. A light rug on a dark floor can be a cost-effective but straightforward change.
CHECK YOUR LIGHT BULBS
Ensure all lights are working. If needed, replace them with bright LED globes. LED globes last longer and are more energy-efficient, but savvy buyers will also notice features like this. Having the lights on during an inspection lets people know the electricity is working.
FIX BASIC MAINTENANCE ISSUES
Don’t neglect small or tricky maintenance jobs. These can become deal-breakers when building and pest inspections are done. Things to look for are loose door handles, broken or window locks, faulty exterior gates or blocked drains. You may find that they are easy to solve and inexpensive.
REPLACE WORN FLOORS
Fixing the floors will stop the property from looking tired and dated. If you decide to replace your floors, your choice in colour or style needs to appeal to a broad audience of potential buyers. Research current fashions or go with a neutral colour palette.
If you sell with worn floor coverings or broken tiles, you might find it puts off potential buyers and bidders.
CLEAN YOUR BATHROOMS
The whole house should be clean and tidy if you’re preparing for an open inspection, but bathrooms are a hotspot. It can be worth getting cleaners and a handyperson in for an even better result.
Fix dirty shower screens or missing grout and silicon. Fix towel rails, taps and lights as well. The things that need fixing will likely be the ones you don’t notice, but a potential buyer will be thorough.
Consider getting damaged vanity tops or doors replaced if cost-effective. A simple refurbishment is all that may be needed.
Building inspections for potential buyers will detect any moisture behind showers, so if you suspect this is a problem, get it checked.
FIX THE KITCHEN
Your kitchen is an important selling feature, and many buyers will see your kitchen as the heart of the home.
If appliances such as the dishwasher, stove and oven are part of the sale, ensure they are all in working order.
Clean and restack a messy pantry with fewer items. It will help make your storage space look bigger.
There is one thing every home cook and aspiring chef wants: space. Remove non-essential items from benches and cupboards to make the kitchen look as big as possible. A bowl of fruit or flowers can be a nice touch.
TIDY YOUR HOME’S EXTERIOR
First impressions matter, so don’t settle for OK. When inspecting, your home’s exterior will be the first thing potential buyers see, and if you are advertising your home, you will want good photos.
Repair broken roof tiles, clean off mildew, and replace or paint over rust and wall cracks that a building inspection will find. Consider a roof clean if your roof is dirty and detracting from the appeal of your home.
TIDY YOUR GARDEN.
Get the front and back yards in order with clean and sturdy fencing, pruned plants, and mowed lawns. Moving your property from looking like a shabby house to a beautiful home can dramatically boost the value.
Have a professional pressure-clean your driveway and paths; they can work wonders on oil stains and algae on your driveway.
Park your car around the corner on inspection day so potential buyers get a good look at the driveway.
Preparing your home for sale shouldn’t cost a fortune if done right. Getting the little things fixed will not only speed up the deal and find a buyer, but it can also add value to your home.
Never try to fix any electrical or plumbing work; always hire a professional tradesperson who can do a good job.