Did you know that most house hunters decide whether they want to buy a property in just eight minutes? This probably has to do with the fact that, aside from the fixer-uppers and the long-term investors, most prospective buyers prefer to buy properties that already feel like home.
Whatever the reason is, it’s pretty obvious that first impressions are crucial. Unfortunately, though, no one is born knowing how to sell a house. And, if it’s your first time, it can feel like a daunting process. Thankfully, plenty of people have done it before you and have figured out the best way to go about it.
What to Do Before Selling a House
You’ll be thrilled to hear that many of the best renovations to do before selling a house are very often the most affordable. While ripping out whole rooms and reinventing the property might sound like a valuable undertaking, bigger renovations aren’t necessarily better.
From increasing curb appeal to turning your house into a show home, here are some simple and effective ways to get your house ready to list on the market.
Keep It Clean
The last thing people want to see when they’re viewing a property they might want to buy is dirt and debris. At best it’s distracting, and at worst, it can make the most charming spaces look dingy and unappealing. So, set some time aside to knuckle down and deep clean your house. Or call in a professional to do it for you.
You should also take this as an opportunity to clear out any clutter too. It will be far harder for potential buyers to imagine themselves in the space if it’s overflowing with all the bits and pieces you haven’t binned or recycled yet.
Make Necessary Repairs
It’s unlikely you’ll get offers at the asking price if any significant repairs need doing. So, if you’ve been putting off replacing chipped floor tiles or calling in the plumber, now’s the time to stop. Completing repairs is crucial when it comes to getting your house ready for viewers.
Even little things like a cracked coffee table or a wonky chair can affect a first impression. As such, it’s best to inspect your property before the surveyors can get to it, find anything that needs fixing, and get to work, whether it’s big or small.
Lay It Out Like a Show Home
Your prospective buyers will likely view some show homes during their search, especially if they’re in the market for something newer. With brand new furnishings and professionally designed rooms, it can seem impossible to compete with these sorts of properties. But, if you give every room in your house a purpose, you can make it look as good (if not better than) those cut-and-paste show homes.
Do so by laying each room out in a way that shows off the space and its most attractive features while making it look as homely as possible. Consider consulting interior design magazines or social media for inspiration.
How Can I Increase My Curb Appeal?
If you’ve been wondering how to prepare your house for sale, doing up the outside might not have crossed your mind. But, actually, that’s the very first thing a person
sees of your property. Given that you have such a small window to appeal to buyers, every second counts, even the ones they spend walking up the garden path.
Known as your home’s curb appeal, the exterior walls, front door, gardens, and more play a significant role in convincing people to book a viewing, let alone sign on the dotted line. So, refresh any peeling paint, spruce up your flowerbeds, and pressure wash the drive to ensure you grab people’s attention for all the right reasons.
Are You Ready for Somewhere New?
Now that you’ve made some crucial edits to your current property, you should be just about ready to list it on the market. In all the excitement, make sure you don’t leave sorting out your future home to the last minute. While selling will, in most cases, be the first port of call, finding the right place to settle down next is so important.
So, keep one eye on property sites throughout the process and set up viewings once the sale of your house is well on the way to being completed. And, when you’re ready to purchase your new home, make sure to explore different mortgage options.
How to Sell a House
If you weren’t sure what to do before selling a house, hopefully, this guide has given you a good idea. Now that you know how to prepare your house for sale and get it ready to appeal to prospective buyers, you can feel comfortable looking to the future and making plans for your new property. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about anyway.
