1. Take a Step Back
A good place to start when beginning the process of selling your home is to imagine how potential buyers will see it.
You may have been living in your home for many happy years, but when you’re selling, you need to step back, take a deep breath and start looking at it with fresh eyes — potential-buyers’ eyes,
Grab a pen and notepad and walk around each space, making a note of all the potential snagging points and areas that could be improved,.
To help you see your home in a new light, take photos. Examine the photos and see what stands out. Do you need to replace pillows, buy new bed linens, add a few plants or declutter surfaces? Looking at your property through a picture will help you refine your spaces.
2. Repair and Retouch
Before you put your home on the market, it’s a good idea to do any maintenance or repairs that could put buyers off or prompt them to offer a lower price.
Remember, most new homeowners will want to move in right away, so the idea of them having to replace, repair or redecorate could be off-putting,
3. Dilute the Decor
To encourage buyers to imagine the potential of your home, avoid decor that can be distracting. Try to keep the wall colors neutral,
Allow potential buyers to see the space available in your property by keeping the rooms as decluttered as possible
5. Make It Look Lived-In
While a light, neutral scheme allows viewers to see the bones of your home, an empty property won’t have quite the same effect. Dont be afraid to talk to your realtor about professional staging.
6. Eliminate Odors
It’s not just the appearance of your home that will influence viewers — the scent is also important. “An unpleasant smell will immediately put off potential buyers,” Penhaul says. “So address any smells, such as dog, dampness or cigarette smoke.”
Remove any evidence of pets, such as a smelly bed, and use a carpet or upholstery cleaning service to refresh the carpets and furniture, she says.
7. Brighten It Up
Both natural and artificial light can be used to show your property at its best. “Your house needs to be bright and well lit for viewings to demonstrate the true size of the space,” Penhaul says, “so consider how your lighting looks in each room.
“Pull back curtains and open blinds to make the most of the natural light, but also think about creating an ambiance by positioning additional lamps on side tables around the room,” she says. “We find big floor lamps work well for adding more light and also as a great statement piece for a room.”
8. Maximize Marketing
When choosing a real estate agent, high valuations and low fees aren’t the only things you should consider.
“Choose an agent with a proven track record and one whose marketing stands out,” Penhaul says. “They should also be able to advise you on the profile of your likely buyer so your presentation will appeal to the right audience.”