Selling a house is always going to be an uphill struggle unless you’re one of the fantastically lucky few. There are always going to be some speedbumps along the way, and the property market hasn’t exactly been making things any easier over the last few years. You’re always going to be dealing with people who can’t make their minds up, and you’re always going to find something expensive that needs fixing, but there are a few easy ways to make sure that your home stands out to prospective buyers.
Declutter and organise
An organised and decluttered home always looks more appealing to buyers. Go through each room and remove any excess furniture, decorations, toys, and clutter. Store these items off-site or out of sight. Buyers want to easily imagine themselves living in the property, so make sure to clear counters, closets, drawers, and other storage areas. Organise items neatly and remove any personal memorabilia. A decluttered home will appear larger, cleaner, and more inviting. Consider renting a storage unit to keep furniture, seasonal items, memorabilia, and anything else you won’t need while the home is for sale. This also makes the property feel spacious.
Refresh walls with new paint
Over time, walls can become marked, faded, and discoloured. Refreshing them with a neutral coat of paint can instantly improve the look and feel of each room. Stick with light, neutral tones like off-white, beige, or light grey to appeal to the widest range of buyers. Make sure to address any cracks, holes, or imperfections in the walls before painting. Newly painted walls make the home look clean, bright and well-cared for. Browse through the listings of houses on sale in USA to see how they paint and decorate their homes. You will notice that paint can change the valuation if done right. If you have brightly coloured accent walls from a previous design scheme, consider repainting them to blend with the rest of the home. Too many bold paint colours can overwhelm buyers. Ensure all paint has a matte or eggshell finish to minimise flaws. Glossy paint shows every bump and imperfection.
Improve curb appeal
A property’s curb appeal is crucial, as it’s the first impression buyers get of the home. Ensure the landscaping is neat and trimmed – plant flowers, rake leaves and don’t forget to mow the lawn. Power wash outdoor surfaces like pavements and driveways to remove grime. Repaint faded doors and window shutters if needed. Keep the entryway and porch tidy and add decorative touches like potted plants, a welcome mat, or a fresh coat of paint on the front door. Major storms can wreak havoc so make sure you get out there nice and quickly after any terrible weather. Good curb appeal can help attract buyers before they even view the inside. Curb appeal also includes the exterior itself – check for any necessary repairs or updates to areas like the roof, gutters, shutters, railing, fencing and garage doors. Making these repairs ahead of time shows buyers the home is well-maintained.
Update light fixtures
Dated, worn or mismatched light fixtures can make a home feel old and disjointed. Updating fixtures throughout the house with new, complementary styles instantly modernises the space. Consider oil-rubbed bronze or brushed nickel finishes for a contemporary but versatile look. Make sure lighting is sufficient in all rooms but not too harsh. Dimmer switches also allow buyers to control lighting and create a soft, inviting ambience. New light fixtures show buyers the home is move-in ready. Pay attention to the exterior lighting as well – update exterior lights by the doors, on porches and patios. Good lighting provides safety and security. Make sure all bulbs are new and bright.
Ensure that your carpets are properly cleaned
One of the most important things you can do when preparing your property for sale is to ensure the carpets are properly cleaned throughout. Stained, worn or dirty carpets can instantly turn off potential buyers and leave a poor impression. Consider hiring professional carpet cleaning services to deep clean all carpets and rugs. Make sure any stubborn stains and high-traffic areas are addressed. Freshly cleaned carpets will help make each room look its best. If you’re looking for “carpet cleaners near me” on Google and you’re not having much luck, get in touch with the team at Carpet Cleaning Pros. They have fantastic reviews, they’re pet-friendly and they offer great value for money.
Replace hardware and fixtures
Another way to modernise and add cohesion is by replacing hardware like doorknobs, handles, switch plates and cabinet hardware with matching finishes and styles. Updating to more neutral metals like brushed nickel, chrome or bronze helps spaces appear sleek and refined. Additionally, inspect sinks, faucets, showerheads, and other fixtures to see if any need replacing due to wear. New fixtures improve functionality and convey careful maintenance and investment into the home. Replacing outdated appliances like the refrigerator, stove or dishwasher can also modernise the space. Stainless steel or black finishes give a sleek, contemporary look.
Stage each room
Home staging is a great way to help buyers envision living in the space. Rearrange furniture to define clear living areas in each room and remove excess furnishings to make the space appear larger. Use stylish, coordinating accessories like throw pillows, rugs, and artwork to make the home feel warm, inviting and move-in ready. Make sure the home office looks professional given how many of us are working from home. Stage bookshelves with decorative objects. Buy neutral bedding and window treatments. A well-staged home allows buyers to see the property’s potential. Hire a professional stager if needed to get an objective opinion on how to best showcase each room. They can identify and eliminate clutter while repurposing existing items through styling.
Hire a home inspector
Having your home professionally inspected before listing it is highly recommended. This allows you to address any issues found ahead of time, so buyers won’t use them to negotiate down the price. Inspectors check for problems with electrical, plumbing, appliances, the roof and more that may not be visible. Making the necessary repairs shows buyers the home is well-maintained and move-in ready. Provide the inspection report to interested buyers to put their minds at ease. If the inspection reveals any major issues, consider consulting a contractor to estimate repair costs. It’s wise to get these significant repairs done before listing so you know the full scope and cost of the work needed.
Deep clean the entire property
In addition to carpets, the entire property should be deep cleaned before showing. Scrub kitchen and bathroom surfaces, steam clean tile floors, dust light fixtures and ceiling fans, clean windows, and mirrors, etc. Pay extra attention to grime-prone areas like the oven hood, showers, and baseboards. Making the home spotlessly clean removes any odours and demonstrates you have taken great care of the property. Buyers will feel more comfortable seeing how clean the home is. Consider touching up chipped or worn paint on baseboards, doors and trim to make them look their best. Patch any holes or damage in drywall. Repair squeaky cabinet doors and sticking drawers. Details like these show the home has been well-maintained.
A property in top shape stands a much better chance of attracting buyers who are ready to make a solid offer. While prepping a home for sale requires some work, it pays off by letting buyers instantly see the value and potential of the property. With an attractive, updated, and clean home, you can feel confident buyers will compete for the opportunity to own it.
