Preparing your home for sale

Many buyers – especially those who aren’t purchasing an investment property, are searching for a property they can make a genuine connection with. They’re looking for a home that ticks all the right boxes and gives them that “special feeling”. But a feeling can’t be quantified; it can’t be used to create a strategy that drives tangible results … Or can it ?

Experts believe there are particular rooms in your home that buyers are most likely to make a connection with, and if you focus specifically on these rooms your chances of attracting that ideal offer increase greatly.

• Wouldn’t it be great if you could get into a buyer’s head and know exactly what they think of your home ?
• What do they love about your property?
• Why do they love it ?
• And what could you do to convince them to make an offer ?

Styling a home to attract potential buyers

As a seller, it’s important to get into the headspace of those most likely to lay down an offer on your prized abode. This is something your real estate agent can help with – the main goal is to create a neutral ambience appealing to the different tastes of the different types of buyers most likely to purchase your specific property. Ideally, your home should also be something buyers remember. Not because of some gimmicky “sales pitch” linked to your home, but rather because of that magic “special feeling” they get each time they set foot inside your property.

When buyers initially inspected your home, it’s probably not the first home they’ve visited. They’ve already seen several homes in their price range and until they find that perfect pad which calls out to them, probably plan on inspecting many more.

You need to make your home memorable by focusing your attention on what they’re already looking for; focusing on the rooms they’re already interested in.

Which 3 rooms will buyers focus on first ?

1. Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home, even for buyers who don’t cook too often. That’s because the kitchen is an informal gathering spot. Buyers will certainly spend more time in the kitchen than anywhere else – opening cabinets, viewing appliances, trying to gauge the size of the kitchen and wondering if they’ll need to spend any leftover/extra funds getting it renovated.

Without breaking the bank, the best thing you can do is to ensure your kitchen is immaculately clean and your cupboards and pantry are neatly organized and clutter-free. Don’t forget to look over the cupboard hinges; ensure that all cupboards close without effort and sit straight – a bit of CRC will often do the trick. It’s also important that your countertops don’t have unnecessary or well-used/dirty appliances on them. Invest some time in thoroughly polishing any stainless steel, particularly the sink, to the point where surface scratches are barely visible. We’d also recommend removing stickers and magnets from the fridge to get your kitchen as close to a blank canvas as possible.

Depending on the age and condition of the property, it could also be worthwhile to invest a small amount in a “mini-makeover”. Replacing the cabinet handles and the tap fittings is relatively low cost and can really make a difference to presentation. Replacing the exhaust fan and vent covering is worthwhile, especially if your kitchen has been well-loved, as this will get rid of any leftover odours and grease stains. Filling small cosmetic cracks from natural land movement and giving the property a new coat of paint can also give the room a fresh feeling without costing an arm and a leg.

2. Living Room

Not every buyer has the same idea of what a living space should look like, and it’s likely that your tastes will differ from theirs. Thankfully, you’re not selling the furniture, you’re selling a property. Staging your home for sale, and the furniture you use, is still going to play an important role in the process though as this helps to fill out the space and makes it easy to imagine what living there would be like.

With the right furnishings and décor, you can reshape the room’s atmosphere, making each space feel that little bit larger and more welcoming. Don’t forget to remove any personal knick-knacks and family photographs as they subconsciously symbolize the residence belongs to someone else.

Deep cleaning the upholstery in the living room to remove any obvious stains and smells is a smart move. Also, simple touches like adding a throw blanket or brightly coloured decorative cushions and vases can help to liven up the space whilst having the added benefit of making the entire dwelling more memorable.

3. Master Bedroom (and Ensuite)

Whoever is viewing the home will be sleeping in the master bedroom – so their opinion matters most. There’s not much you can do to the design of the master bedroom, but sometimes rearranging your furniture can create a flow that’s more appealing to buyers and make the whole room feel more spacious. Regardless of whether you’re a fan of open spaces, many buyers appreciate the minimalist look, so keeping the age-old adage “less is more” in mind when redecorating should serve you well.

Remember that buyers will probably want to inspect the wardrobe, built-in cupboards and bathroom cabinets – so be sure that they’re as spacious and inviting as possible. Just like all other rooms, the master bedroom should be spotless, with limited yet high-impact decorations.

To seal the deal, you can invest in new, clean and modern bedding set in a neutral colour to make your room more welcoming to buyers.