Hockingstuart: Prepare Your Home For Sale

Preparing your home for sale

A comprehensive guide to highlighting your home’s best features

Introduction

Helping you create lasting impressions

When it comes to selling your home, there’s something truly special about presenting it in its best light. It’s like crafting a story, inviting potential buyers to imagine their future within its walls. Taking the time to showcase your property flawlessly, isn’t just about attracting more buyers; it’s about sparking excitement, igniting possibilities, and leaving a lasting, positive impression from the very first glance.

How to use this guide

In this guide, you will discover the essential steps to preparing your home for sale. From highlighting your home’s exterior and interior to perfection, we provide comprehensive advice to showcase your home in its best light. While factors like location, size, or views cannot be changed; following our detailed steps ensures your home presents flawlessly, leaving the most positive first impression on buyers.

Timing your preparations

Timing is key when preparing to sell your home. Start your preparations promptly to allow ample time for getting your home picture perfect for professional photography and videography. This not only speeds up the listing process but also makes preparing for regular open for inspections much easier once your campaign is underway.

How we can help

The best way to prepare for selling your home, is to entrust a professionally qualified Hockingstuart agent. Our agents are experts in your local market, offering tailored marketing strategies and connections to a wide network of buyers. Our agents are here to be your trusted advisors and negotiators, ensuring a successful sale.

Explore more tips on hockingstuart.com or contact your nearest Hockingstuart office for personalised assistance.

Styling

Present your home as a welcoming haven that captivates buyers at every turn through thoughtful styling and presentation. Consider small touches like fresh flowers in a vase, an inviting book on the coffee table, or a cosy basket of logs by the fireplace to enhance the charm and allure of your home.

Prioritise depersonalising and decluttering your space to allow potential buyers to envision themselves living there. By creating an inviting atmosphere, you’re not just showcasing a property but also fostering an emotional connection with those who walk through the door.

Accent and declutter

-D eclutter by removing items that are not stylish, functional or that take up too much space

-Remove all photos and personally identifying objects for privacy and so buyers can visualise themselves living there

-Use accents of colour in neutral spaces to add interest, such as a brightly coloured pillow on a chair or a throw rug on a lounge

-Soften any unappealing views with sheer curtains or strategically placed external plants

-Fill the home with light by opening all curtains, blinds, and shutters

-Consider replacing heavy curtains or blinds with a lighter material or neutral colour

-Use ‘warm white’ bulbs for a brighter look

Atmosphere

-Select neutral colour schemes that will make it easy for buyers to mentally picture your home as their own

-Use carpet deodorisers and air fresheners to combat any odours, however the best strategy is to remove the source of the odour rather than masking it

-Replace any carpet and underlay to remove the smell of pet soiling if necessary

-Don’t allow wet towels or dirty clothes to accumulate and create mildew odours

- Check and clean air-conditioning filters or vent covers as they may be a source of unpleasant odour

-If smoking or cooking odours have permeated your home, have the carpets/ furniture professionally cleaned and air or dry-clean your curtains

-Consider adding pleasant scents to create an enjoyable home inspection experience! Studies have shown that people have strong positive responses to aromas such as cinnamon, flowers or freshly baked bread

Interior

The front entry

No matter how big or small, the entrance to your home deserves particular attention to ensure it is creating a lasting first impression.

-D ried flowers or a small plant can make a striking focal point on a hall table

-Add a well-placed mirror to give the illusion of space

-Entry hall flooring is the first thing visitors see, so ensure it is spotlessly clean

-Any cupboards here will be the first to be inspected so make sure they are tidy and look spacious

Living areas

As one of your home’s key areas, spend time to set the scene in the living area, creating an enticing space buyers can look forward to returning to each evening.

-Improve the room’s flow by removing excess furniture

-Remove oversized television sets if they dominate the room

-D ecorate with seasonal fruits such as lemons or limes in the summer

-Clean and organise all storage spaces. If your cabinets, drawers, and cupboards are crowded and overflowing, buyers may assume your storage space is limited

-Check if curtains or blinds need cleaning

-D raw attention to and highlight any large windows

-Identify any dark corners and invest in a decorative floor lamp to create an inviting space

-D raw attention to exposed beams or a cathedral ceiling with special lighting

-Sweep and clean the fireplace if you have one

-Place a few logs in the fireplace to create an attractive appearance

-D ress up the mantelpiece, but don’t make it look too cluttered

Interior

Dining room

Like the living areas, your dining room should be an inviting space, somewhere prospective buyers can imagine sharing a meal with family and friends.

- Visually enlarge a small dining room by folding down any table extensions or placing the table against a wall for more space

-Remove surplus chairs

-Consider putting oversized pieces in storage until the property is sold

- Set the table for an informal meal and add an attractive centrepiece, such as fresh flowers or a bowl of fruit

Stairways

-Keep stairs and hallways well-lit with ample lighting for safety/visibility

-Ensure railings are secure and that the runner or carpet is tacked securely

-Emphasise stairways as a feature by hanging artwork or pictures

-D ust or polish any feature light fittings in stairways or voids

The kitchen

As the heart of the home, a visually appealing, functional, and clean kitchen is high on every buyer’s priority list. Highlight yours to its best advantage by doing the following:

- Clear benchtops of small appliances to maximise space

- Remove any dishes, detergent, or brushes from your benchtop or around the sink

- Thoroughly clean the sink, benchtop, and cabinets

- Thoroughly clean appliances, inside and out

- Clear items from the top of the refrigerator

- Set the scene with an open cookbook, a basket filled with fruit, a vase of fresh flowers, or a ceramic mixing bowl and wire whisk

- Create aromas commonly associated with happy homes by baking cookies, a loaf of bread or apple pie

- If you have a breakfast bar, set two attractive place settings and place cushions on the stools

Interior

Bedrooms

Bedrooms should be a place of sanctuary, a relaxing yet functional space for unwinding and recharging. Follow these steps to create havens of rest and relaxation potential buyers can look forward to retreating to after a long day.

- To make bedrooms appear larger, paint the room in a lighter shade, minimise clutter and remove excess furniture

- Enhance wardrobe storage by neatly organising items and keeping the floor clear

-Pop an air freshener in wardrobes/dressers so they smell fresh and clean

- Ensure any wardrobe lights work and consider adding battery lights to unlit areas to make them appear more spacious

- Remove any family photographs or personal documents or such as degree certificates to maintain privacy

Kids’ rooms

-Try and restrict furniture to essential pieces like a bed and dresser, and set up an organized play area to maintain the illusion of space

-D eclutter by packing away excess toys, books, clothing etc

-O rganise the wardrobe and remove surplus items - an overflowing space suggests storage issues

- If you are currently using a spare bedroom as a playroom, consider converting it back to add extra value

Bathrooms

Prospective buyers will inspect bathrooms carefully so do your best to ensure all surfaces are spotless, well-presented, and clean.

- Clear vanity tops and put away all personal items and products

- Clean and tidy all cabinets and drawers

- Clean and polish mirrors/taps

- Clean and repair tiles, grout, and shower screens

- Carefully clean the floor and drains or grates

- Replace worn or dirty shower curtains

- Repair any leaking or malfunctioning taps

- Remove mineral deposits with vinegar or a commercial product

- Consider displaying perfumed soaps or a diffuser to add a gentle hint of fragrance in the air

- Neatly display matching towels or invest in new ones

- If your bathroom is mostly white or neutral, add a touch of colour with towels or invest in new towels and matching mat for added appeal

Laundry

A separate laundry is one of the most frequent requests made by house hunters.

- Add a fresh coat of paint in a neutral tone if required

- Organise all cupboards, shelves, and storage areas

- Keep on top of washing or store dirty laundry in a closed hamper

- Ensure the ceiling is clean and free of mildew or mould

Exterior

First impressions count when selling, especially when it comes to your home’s exterior which is the first thing buyers see. Maximise kerb appeal with our handy tips.

- Sweep, dust and de-cobweb balconies and courtyards

- Ensure all doors and windows are in good working order

-Clean and paint doors if necessary

-Inspect all locks to ensure they function properly

-Check for loose or missing tiles and clear out gutters and downpipes

-Touch up peeling paint on gutters and exterior walls

-Check for mildew or stains on exterior walls, power clean if necessary

-If you have a front veranda, deck, or garden area, set the stage with an attractive outdoor setting

Garden

-Neatly mow, rake and edge lawns

-Weed and mulch flower beds

- Prune shrubbery and trees and remove any dead plants

-Consider planting seasonal flowers

- Touch up faded wooden decks with a coat of stain or paint

-Check fences or railings for loose or broken posts and replace any rotten wood

-Where possible, create a space for outdoor living

Driveways

-Clear the driveway of debris, dirt, and oil stains

- D e-cobweb letterboxes

-Ensure garbage bins are neatly tucked away out of sight

Garages

- Sweep and wash the floor to remove dirt, oil or stains

- O rganise tools, gardening equipment and bicycles etc

- Clear and organise the workbench, drawing attention to it as a selling feature

- Make your garage appear larger by removing your car from a single garage, and parking only one car in a double garage

-If space permits, consider setting up a table tennis table and hanging posters to instantly transform your garage into a recreational retreat

Pools and spas

Pay special attention to the pool or spa, ensuring it is sparkling before photography takes place and when the home goes on the market.

Tidy away cleaning equipment and accessories such as chemical containers, pool cleaners, brooms, and all pool toys