Preparing your home to sell: What not to do
Selling your home can be surprisingly time-consuming and emotionally challenging. It is the single most valuable and personal asset you can put on the market, so it is essential to take your time and ensure everything is done correctly. To help you avoid making any mistakes when preparing your home to sell, here are some key things to consider…
Deep cleaning your house is a must
A thorough deep clean is necessary to attract buyers. You should target all the spots you might miss during your everyday clean-ups. Getting your home as fresh as possible will tell buyers that it has been looked after and that they won’t have to worry about undergoing any of their large cleaning tasks upon move-in day.
Don’t let the house appear too ‘lived in’
Washing hanging up outside, dishes left on the rack, and blankets on the sofas are all subconscious signs that your home suits an average lifestyle. What you’re really trying to sell is a lifestyle which exceeds the buyer’s current one. Clear away items that aren’t in their proper place, as this will leave more to the buyer’s imagination about what living in your home is like.
Don’t over personalise
It’s nothing personal, but items you love in your home could distract others. Presenting the space as neutrally as possible will allow the buyers to envision themselves living in your home rather than feeling like they are visiting someone’s property. This doesn’t mean you should clear everything away; picture how you would wish a fully furnished property to be presented and go from there.
Don’t box everything up before taking photographs
Unless it’s a brand-new home, most buyers will need to see some furniture arrangements to visualise living in the home. Furniture can give a room a purpose and play to its strengths while also distracting from weaknesses. Make sure your best furniture is on display and is looking at its best. This means fluffing and arranging pillows, polishing and dusting shelves, and setting up the dining table with finishing touches.
Don’t waste valuable space
Plenty of room is hugely attractive to buyers, so you should give all rooms a purpose and make them appear as if you use them frequently – even if you don’t.
Don’t block out the light
A Huge mistake to make when presenting your home for a viewing is closing the blinds and curtains. Natural lighting can be your home’s best friend, reflecting off shiny surfaces and creating an illusion of expanded space, making the room brighter and airier. The views outside your windows are also crucial to buyers. Make sure they’re on full display to show every aspect of your home and its location.
Don’t skip the agent
It can be tempting to sell your home alone and skip any agent fees. However, there could be consequences when attempting to navigate the property market alone. Without an agent, you could risk encountering fraud or receiving offers much lower than your home’s true value. At Complete, we have your best interests at heart. We will help you set a fair and competitive selling price for your home, increasing your odds of a quick sale. We also have plenty of experience negotiating home sales, helping you get more money as possible. If problems arise during the process, we are always on hand to handle them.
Find out why you should use Complete Estate Agents here.