How can I prepare my property for sale?
Listing your property for sale is an important step, but it’s just the beginning. As the owner, there are many things you can do to help the sale along.
From curbs to bathroom fixtures, below Xavier, a photographer at Altro Vastgoed, shares a few tips on how to prepare your property for sale and viewings, down to the smallest details.
Keep in mind the first impression
First impressions are important in any sale, and real estate is no exception. Potential buyers will form an immediate opinion of your property the moment they see it. To start with, Xavier recommends stepping outside your property and taking a look at it as a whole.
Has the lawn been mowed?
Are the paths clean and have the weeds been removed?
Does the paint on your windows and doors need a fresh coat?
Have the shrubs/hedges been trimmed or cleared?
If any of these issues need your attention, Xavier recommends starting with that one. Once you’ve taken care of the exterior, it’s time to work on the interior!
Living spaces
Living spaces are key when it comes to selling a property. When you’re preparing a property for a showing, you should do everything you can to make it more appealing. Transform the living spaces into places where potential buyers can picture themselves relaxing and unwinding. Here are a few tips:
Clear away all clutter and put away personal items such as photos
Keep your curtains or blinds open to let natural light in
Give the house a thorough cleaning
Open a window to let some fresh air flow through the room
Bathrooms and kitchens
It’s important that everyone who views your home sees it looking its best. Bathrooms and kitchens are often considered the most important features of a home. Here are some tips from Xavier on how to prepare your bathroom for a viewing:
Clean up all the clutter; put away shampoo bottles, cleaning supplies, etc.
Have clean, folded towels ready
Clean the shower and/or bathtub
Add an air freshener to the room
A potential buyer will want to assess your kitchen in terms of both space and cleanliness. Again, it’s important that they can picture themselves using it. Xavier recommends making your kitchen as appealing as possible and offers the following tips:
Clean all surfaces
Put away any unnecessary devices
Clear out all the clutter
Give the oven a good cleaning
Remove all pet food bowls
Open a window to let fresh air circulate
On the day of the open house
If you have followed the advice above, your home is well prepared for viewings. However, there are still a few things you should keep in mind on the day of the viewing.
Keep pets out of the house—even though you may love your pets, there’s always a chance that a guest might feel differently or have allergies
Make sure every room is at a comfortable temperature
A bouquet of flowers really brightens up the whole room
We hope you found the above advice helpful. Do you have any questions or are you interested in selling your property? Please don’t hesitate to contact us.
