Preparing Your House For Sale
Last Minute Pointers That Can Make All The Difference When You Sell
Dec 14, 2007
When you’re selling your home yourself, there are few things that are more likely to help you bring in top dollar than making it look great.
First of all, lose the emotional bond you have with your home. Let go of all the emotions that surround your house – happy family gatherings, memories of the children growing up. For now, your house is a commodity, and you need to say goodbye to it – so you can focus on getting the best money you can. If you intend on selling your house yourself, there are a number of websites that can help, including OwnMax.
You might think they make it homely, but buyers don’t want to see your personal photographs and trinkets. They can’t see past these private objects and imagine themselves enjoying the house when you’re gone. Pack them up for your next home.
Next, take a look at all the clutter that has accumulated on your bookshelves and kitchen surfaces. You’ve lived with it so long you probably can’t even see it any more, but potential buyers can. Clear all the surfaces – it’ll make the rooms look bigger and show off all the potential storage space.
Whatever you do, don’t throw everything haphazardly into a cupboard though! Buyers love to poke about in your closets, and it won’t give a great impression if they burst open and spill all over the floor. It’s especially important when you are selling your own house that buyers see you as an organized and careful sort of person – they are more likely to trust you.
If you have a lot of furniture, consider renting storage space. The fewer imposing items you have in a room, the bigger it looks – and people can imagine where they will house their own pieces. Most towns have out-of-town self-storage companies – look up your nearest or ask a friendly removal company for recommendations.
If there are any special items that you wouldn’t part with, for example furniture or light fittings, take them away before a buyer spots them. Often people ask for things to be left in the house, and if you refuse, a great deal could turn sour.
Do a little maintenance work. Replace cracked tiles, make sure there are no dead lightbulbs and check drawers and doors open and close properly. If you have an unusual colour scheme in the house, you may find it helps to paint over in a neutral tone. People can be put off by something as simple as a colour they don’t like.
Clean the house from top to bottom. Clean windows inside and out, and scrub your bathroom and kitchen before every viewing. Vacuum out dusty corners and place air fresheners around the house so everywhere smells fresh and inviting.
Trim your lawn, tidy the bushes and tidy up the flower borders. A scruffy garden can ruin a fantastic house. Research has shown that the colour yellow can influence buyers, so why not plant a pot of marigolds by the front door?
Finally, walk around the house and imagine you are the buyer. Look at everything that attracts you to a room, and sort out anything that detracts from its appeal. Invite a friend or neighbor to accompany you, and tell them to take a critical look at everything. Only when you’ve completed every step above are you ready to open your doors to prospective buyers.
