How you prepare your property for sale is hugely important and can have a large bearing on the sold price. I often hear the phrase “sure people will see past that”: they really won’t and hoping they will is never a good strategy.

There are three things you can control when selling property; preparation, promotion and price. In this piece, I want to focus on how to prepare your property for sale. I have written a piece on staging which is also worth a read, but not all properties need to be staged, particularly those that are owner-occupied. In our experience, these are often the nicest homes we sell, where individuals style is showcased which really appeals to buyers.

Below are some helpful tips that should give you some inspiration if you are thinking of selling your property.

Stage your home

Know your target market and present your home to appeal to them. A clean minimalist look will hold universal appeal. This can be added to with attractive artwork and soft furnishings. The dreaded decluttering is part of this process and often people rent storage spaces to help them achieve the desired look.

Define each room

Make sure each room and each space has a defined purpose. This will ensure that purchasers will see the potential of the property. An obsolete dining room can easily be converted to a second living room, with the addition of a couch, some books and we find a nice guitar never goes astray. Alcoves can be used as home office spaces. With today’s hybrid working model, this is a serious consideration for buyers.

Decorate

Painting and deep cleaning are the basic requirements for preparing vacant properties for sale. This provides the canvas for professional staging. With owner-occupied properties, this can be a bit more nuanced. Generally, it’s not feasible or necessary to paint the whole property. However, painting heavily trafficked rooms such as hallways and living rooms is a good idea. If there is a particular room that you are trying to stage, clever colour schemes can brighten up dark spaces and warm up cold areas.

Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is a very American term but applies the world over. First impressions do count and simple things like making sure the grass is cut and the hedges are trimmed will make purchasers feel welcome. To make a real difference, painting the front door and window sills will really enhance the property. When painting the front door, don’t be shy here, a dramatic colour can really make the façade stand out.

Showcase your garden

Gardens are a real selling point; they are fun recreational spaces that don’t follow the same constraints as the more functional rooms in the house. Small courtyards can be enhanced by power hosing, potted plants and a splash of colour. A small shed painted a vibrant colour can have a dramatic effect. Larger gardens are an easier sell, just ensure the grass is cut, the hedges are cut back and any hard surfaces are clear of moss and weeds.

Focus on the kitchen

Done correctly kitchens photograph really well. They are the hub of the home and are a huge focus for purchasers. Painting the cabinetry is a cost-effective way to upgrade a dated kitchen. Colour here is important and we advise selecting something contemporary. Clear the countertops to a large degree, leaving space for lifestyle pieces including stylish coffee machines and snazzy toasters.

Deep clean all bathrooms

The bathroom is the most expensive room in any house and a gleaming high-spec bathroom can photograph really well. It’s not realistic to upgrade a bathroom for the purpose of sale. However, ensure they are cleaned properly. We would recommend steam cleaning all of the tiles. Even an older bathroom can be livened up with a colourful shower curtain, nice towels and some artificial plants.

Now that you’ve done the hard work, call one of our agents today and we’d be delighted to discuss promotion and list price.