When you are getting ready to move house, you likely have 100 things to deal with all at once – from finding the perfect home to getting the all-important contracts signed. However, one of the biggest issues that many movers deal with is getting their current home ready for sale. After all, your chances of moving home quickly and without stress likely hinge on your ability to get your home on (and off) the market.
With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to get your home ready for sale!
- Declutter and depersonalize. A good viewing is a viewing where the prospective buyer feels as though they can see themselves living in your home. One way in which you can do this is by decluttering ahead of time and depersonalizing so that you create a ‘blank canvas’ for your viewers. This makes it easier for them to imagine what the property would look like after they move in – increasing the chances of them making an offer.
- Take care of your garden. There are plenty of guides out there that talk you through the importance of improving your home’s kerbside appeal – and while adding a fresh coat of paint is a great way to WOW your viewers – you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of a well-maintained garden either. In fact, right now, many buyers are on the lookout for properties with outdoor space, a requirement that is likely triggered by spending so much time indoors during the pandemic. Therefore, if you want to increase the value of your house ahead of the sale, you might want to work with a landscaping service to turn your garden into something that will have buyers queuing at your door.
- Carry out basic home maintenance duties. Moving house means you’ve probably attended a fair few property viewings yourself – which means that you’re well accustomed to the things to look for when viewing a property and the red flags you must avoid. Therefore, if you want to make a quick sale, you need to ensure that your home is up to scratch. One way you can achieve this goal is by carrying out home maintenance tasks ahead of time, especially if there are any glaring issues that could chase away buyers. Remember, when viewing a property, buyers are on the lookout for problems – don’t make it easy for them to find them.
- Be prepared to negotiate. Whether you are managing the property sale by yourself or working alongside a realtor, you likely have a figure in mind of how much you can expect to receive for your home. However, with finances thrown into chaos by the COVID-19 pandemic and fluctuating house prices, this could mean that you may have to negotiate a little. While you should not accept an offer that falls significantly below the asking price – being open to negotiation can help you to speed up the process and get you into your new home sooner rather than later.
