7 Things That Could Make or Break your Property Sale

First impressions count. From a neatly cut lawn to clean windows and an uncluttered kitchen bench, when your property hits the market, every little detail matters.

We get it, there are some things you can’t change about your home, such as the block size and the location. But believe us when we say there’s a host of factors that you can control, and some of them can literally make or break a sale.

Everyone wants the best price possible when they sell their property. That’s why we’ve taken the time to jot out this list of 7 things that will go a long way towards ensuring that your home attracts the right buyers that are willing to pay the right price:

 

1. Good Street Appeal

You might spend thousands of dollars on the inside of the home, but if it doesn’t look right from the outside, you’ll struggle to get buyers through the front door. 

If the house appears neglected from the outside, buyers will often presume that it’s been neglected inside too, so take the time and effort to ensure that it looks good from the street.  Just a few things you can do to help fetch that top dollar:

• A fresh coat of paint on any exterior woodwork
• Neatly trimmed lawns, bushes, and trees
• Remove excessive garden ornaments and figurines
• Waterblast concrete paths to remove dirt and grime
• Clean away spider webs
• Make sure there are no weeds growing in the gutters
• Add a pop of color to the gardens with some seasonal flowers

 

2. Clean Out the Clutter

There’s nothing glam about de-cluttering, but it’s a super important part of good presentation. Remember, all those little ornaments and keepsakes from friends and family mean little to your prospective buyer – they simply create visual noise. 

Clutter makes a property look smaller than it is, but it’s worse than that.  When a buyer inspects a home, they’re trying to imagine themselves living in it, and this becomes very difficult if the home is full-to-bursting with bits and pieces.

So, set to work and pack away all those photographs and dusty artificial flowers. Clean out and tidy up inside your cupboards too – storage space is important to buyers so they’re likely to open the cupboards and take a look inside.

3. Avoid DIY Renovations

Shoddy renovations are guaranteed to lower your selling price because nobody wants to inherit somebody else’s dodgy work! Only tackle renovations yourself if you know what you’re doing – a bad paint job, wonky tiles or uneven plaster will make buyers wonder what else has been patched up.

 

4. That Fresh Smell

Bad smells in the house are guaranteed to have a negative effect on your buyer. So, if your pooch has been living inside, it’s a good idea to get your carpets and couches professionally cleaned before you put the place on the market. And it’s not only pets that create odors: dirty drains, mildew in bathrooms and window tracks and strong cooking smells might also get up the nose of your buyer (pun intended!). Hot tip – maybe best to not fertilise your garden the day before an inspection!

Plug in those scent diffusers, light those candles and buy a fresh arrangement of flowers – quick and easy fixes not to mention lovely styling additions. Whilst cooking smells can be unpleasant, baking smells on the other hand can really help give a home a “homey” feel, so why not whip up some cookies, muffins or a cake, and even have them served up for the inspection!

5. Take ‘You’ Out of the House

While a bright orange feature wall or a super modern furniture piece might be just your style, it might not tickle the fancy of your buyer.

To ensure that your home suits a wide spectrum of buyers, stick to neutral color palettes and styling theme.  If you’re struggling with this, speak to your agent or a professional stylist and get their advice.

6. Freshen Up the Kitchen and Bathroom

If these parts of your home are seriously outdated, they’re likely to detract from the selling price. But the good news is that a facelift to your kitchen and bathroom areas doesn’t have to cost a fortune. 

A fresh coat of paint on walls and timber cabinets, new handles and drawer pulls, and new tapware will work wonders. If the benchtop is trashed, consider replacing it – there’s plenty of options out there that won’t break the bank.

The bathroom is another space that needs to be bright, airy, and fresh, so ensure that yours is cleaned until it sparkles. Replace cracked or chipped tiles and clean all the grout lines. Ensure that the plumbing is all in good order and that no taps are leaking.

A beautiful indoor plant will help to create that connection with nature that we associate with the bathroom.

 

7. The Right Agent

Your real estate agent is the one who’s representing you in the sale process, so take your time about choosing an agent, and do your research. 

Check out different agents online. Contact family and friends who have sold recently and ask about their experiences. Look at reviews. 

Arrange for a face-to-face meeting with your chosen agent and ask for their advice on what you can do to help you achieve maximum sale price.

 

For more information about getting your home perfect for the market, get in touch with your local Love & Co team today.  We understand what it takes to get your property ready and we’re ready to help you at every step of your journey.