Selling Tips

How To Maximise Your Property’s Selling Price

So you have decided to sell and you want to make sure you get maximum value. The following pages are worth thousands of dollars to you…and it’s totally FREE.

By putting in the time and effort you can make a great first impression.

When selling your property, it’s important to apply a critical eye and pay attention to every detail. After all, you may only have one opportunity to impress a potential buyer and ensure a favourable outcome.

To get a fresh perspective on your property’s appeal, walk down the street away from your house then turn around and walk back slowly towards it. Move from the front yard through the house and into the back yard. Make a note of every negative, including straggly hedges, unswept pathways, finger-marked doors, scuffed paint work, flaking paint, dust, cobwebs, faded curtains, dirty tiles, mouldy shower curtains and unhealthy pot plants.

Any of these things, however minor, will tell a prospective buyer that the house has not been well cared for and will immediately have them thinking:

MAINTENANCE COSTS.

It’s ironic that at the time you are leaving your house forever, it has to look the best it ever has. Achieving this takes seriously hard work, so get every member of the household involved and write up a roster that covers each area of the house.

Start with a clean slate

If the family is willing to pitch in, you can all begin by scrubbing the house. Check walls and ceilings for any signs of damp or mould and clean it off. Polish woodwork, clean curtains, steam-clean deodorise carpets (especially if you have pets), wash wallpaper, clean bathroom walls tiles and grouting, scrub the stove and oven, polish windows and glass inside and out, shine floors, polish brass or silver fixtures and clean out your cupboards. Clean all appliances, vents, skylights and insect screens. Give the house a good airing to eliminate dust and muskiness. Also give the outside of the house a wash down, clean out the gutters, remove oil spills and other stains in the garage or driveway and sweep pathways clear of debris.

Get rid of any clutter

Now is the time to be ruthless. Clean out wardrobes, drawers, bookcases and linen cupboards, and send anything you no longer use to charity. Excess furniture should be temporarily put into storage. The items you do want to keep should be kept neat and tidy – place clothes on smart hangers all facing one way and stack books and games neatly. It’s also a good idea to give kitchen cupboards an overhaul and to clear out excess food from the refrigerator and freezer. Also put any personal items away.

Create a sense of space

Patch any cracks, replace broken glass, repair wood rot and replace missing or loose tiles. Arrange for appliance and plumbing repairs and replace dull or dated light fixtures, broken or mismatched switch plates and outlet covers. If the bathtub is chipped, have it re-enamelled. For an instant uplift, repaint skirting boards, picture rails and any areas where scuff marks cannot be removed with cleaning. Check the foundations of the house for cracks and the condition of the roof, gutters and down pipes. Repair fences and make sure gates work easily and have no creaks. If necessary, re-seal the deck and tighten guard railings for added safety.

Neutralise your house

Try to make your home as appealing to as many prospective buyers as possible. For example a buyer can imagine white walls, a different colour, but can be turned off by colours that are too bold. Neutral paintwork, carpets, curtains and décor can accommodate most decorating styles. Now is the time to get rid of loud wallpaper and controversial artwork. Neutralise any odours that may linger in your house. Cooking odours or musty smells can be alleviated by opening windows or masked by the smell of fresh flowers or essential oils.

Add extra appeal

If your garden looks a little ordinary, buy some potted plants and arrange them in clusters. Fix brass house numbers, buy a new doormat and make sure all of the outdoor lights are working. Encourage buyers to imagine their lifestyle by putting out your outdoor furniture. Place vases of fresh flowers throughout the house and, as clichéd as it sounds, keep in mind that the smell of brewing coffee can really boost the appeal of your home. Playing ambient, relaxing music in the background can also help.

Let the light in

Nobody feels at home in a dark room, so open curtains and blinds and allow as much natural light into the house as you can. When the property is being inspected, keep lights in the kitchen and bathroom and lamps throughout the house switched on.

Prepare for inspection time

Allow plenty of time before you leave the house to ensure that every aspect of your property is in tip-top shape. Completely finish each room before moving onto the next so you don’t overlook anything. Make all beds, tidy cupboards, drawers and dressing tables and put dirty clothes in the wash basket.

For fast results in the bathroom, wipe down the shower, bath and sink with a towel and put away personal-care items. Flush the toilets and put in some coloured disinfectant. Don’t leave dishes to dry on the sink and empty all bins to help remove odours. Tidy newspapers, magazines, toys, games, videos and sporting equipment. Vacuum or sweep as necessary and make sure your house is a pleasant temperature, with light and air flooding the space.

Finally, sweep the front path and rake any leaves in the front garden to make the entrance welcoming.

Give yourself a few minutes to look around the house then take five! Greet your Redcliffe Prestige Homes agent with a big positive smile and leave the house 15 minutes prior to the “Open for Inspection time”.