When the time comes to put a house on the market, there is no denying that this period does not come without stress as you strive to bag that all-important sale. And whether you are preparing to sell your first ever house or you consider yourself a professional in the real estate sector, the process of selling a property does not get any easier — particularly when it comes to getting your property ready for inspection. The following are five essential tips for staging your property:
Undertake a Deep Clean
You might think cleaning a house ahead of viewing is quite obvious — but if you are serious about making a sale, you will want to go further than a quick polish and hoover. The key here is to begin early. Do not convince yourself that you can carry out a deep clean of a whole house in the two-hour window before an interested customer turns up — you cannot merely turn that around.
You would be surprised by what circumstances influence the first impression. With everything from a somewhat unpleasant odor to an overflowing bin having the potential to break a sale. So, for every room, you have to pay attention. If you are short on time, get help from a professional cleaning company or ask other people to assist with the cleanup room-by-room. This can save you precious time and make sure every inch of the property is spotless. Whatever your style is, create a checklist of tasks and tick off each job as you go. This way, you will assure the dust on the blinds is not missed in the last-minute madness.
Do not Exclude the Exterior
The most ignored regions in the house when it comes to a house showing is its exterior part. While your buyer might not have thought about their guttering since they moved in, you can be certain it is high on the list of anyone who is coming to view the house — and if it is packed with leaves from three autumns ago or the front lawn is speckled with weeds, viewers will not be impressed.
You must walk around the outside of the property, and imagine what you would be looking for if you were hoping to purchase. Whether it is adding a fresh lick of paint to the fence, tightening up the door handles, or jet washing the driveway, this insignificant attention to detail could make all the difference.
Hone in on Aspirational Features
In a perfect world, the property should be able to sell itself — but this will need a little work on your part before any prospective clients arrive. If there are any significantly aspirational features in the house, you will want to make sure they stand out — particularly if it is something future clients would have to shell out for if they would want a similar thing themselves.
Whether the kitchen boasts a new granite worktop or the master bedroom has an ensuite complete with a double vanity unit and drench shower, make sure these aspects are easily obtainable as viewers make their way around the property. If they are trying to decide between a couple of houses, the patio extension might just be the thing that sways their decision.
De-personalize the Space
While your customers might love nothing more than a smattering of faux flowers and feline-themed trinkets, you must understand this will not be to everyone’s taste. When trying to sell a house, remember it is made up of a series of rooms, and any possible buyers need to be able to picture themselves in those rooms. From kicking back in the lounge to whipping up a culinary storm in the spacious kitchen, help buyers imagine that this house is theirs and they belong here.
Use Light to your Advantage
It is a fact that natural light has many health benefits. But, do you know it can help you sell a house, too? Along with neutral tones throughout the entire property, natural light can add appeal and open up rooms. However, if your room has no abundance of natural light, there is always the artificial option.
Well-lit rooms can appear more welcoming and spacious, which is just the vibe you want to give off to prospective customers. You will want to assure rooms are well-lit. So brighter light bulbs will be necessary and are well worth the investment. Even if you just switch energy-saving ones out for the viewings. Turn all of the lights on in each room so that people can see every nook and cranny.
Whether you decide to use one or all of these tips, the essential thing to remember when trying to sell a house is that the people visiting it need to be able to see themselves living there. Bear this in mind as you are setting the stage, and the final product will definitely impress.