How to prepare your home ready to go on the market
Putting your house on the market is an exciting, yet stressful experience, with the anxious waiting to hear if potential buyers who have visited your home are willing to put an offer in.
Before you put your house on the market, take the time to prepare it in advance ready for viewings. Even minor touch-ups and small details can leave a lasting impression – one that could potentially lead to an offer.
There are also mistakes to avoid when selling your home, which include setting an unrealistic price and hiding any major problems from potential buyers.
If you are about to put your house on the market, here are few things to consider doing beforehand to help present your home in the best light.
First impressions count
When it comes to selling your home, first impressions count. Even before a potential buyer has booked a visit to your house, they will have driven or walked past to look at its overall kerb appeal. From the moment a potential buyer stands outside your house, they have already formed the foundation of their overall opinion on your property.
To boost your house’s kerb appeal, clear the driveway or pathway, cut the grass and even clean the windows. Small tasks such as these can help to form a positive foundation that the rest of the house is as well maintained as the outside.
Paperwork at the ready
The chances that a potential buyer will ask to see certain documentation about the property are high. As such, you want to ensure that you have them on hand, ready to give to the relevant person. These could be anything from property title deeds to an energy performance certificate, to name but a few.
For example, having an updated electrical safety certificate readily available to give to a potential buyer will show them that the electrics within the house are safe, and provide them with peace of mind.
There have been previous occasions where potential buyers have walked away from placing an offer on a house, due to the delay in receiving any requested paperwork about the property.
Spruce up the place
It is easy to miss the dull colour of the walls or tiny issues that need repairing when you see them every day. However, they will be immediately noticed by potential buyers viewing your home. So, as you prepare your house for viewings, look for any issues that need your attention.
Whether it a fresh coat of paint on the walls to make rooms appear brighter, or completing any minor repairs that you notice, any such updates will be noticed, and greatly appreciated, by potential buyers.
Most of the updates that you can make to your home to help make a difference can be done on a budget, so there is no need to worry about spending a significant amount on creating that solid first impression.
Any alterations you can make, regardless of how big or small, could be the deciding factors in whether a potential buyer places an offer.
