What do I need to do to get my home ready for sale?
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Some homes might require care and attention to get them sale-ready. There is always a balance to be struck between timing, cost, and efficiency sought in the sale process. Some sellers with tight timelines will be unable to prepare the home for sale, knowing that this could impact the sale price is essential.
Overall, some simple repairs, refreshments, and a world-class staging partner will maximise the value of your property. Some of the most impactful tactics are often the easiest to do, think about;
Removing clutter and giving the property a good clean
Tidy up all outdoor areas: mow the lawn and prune the roses
Look for cracks in any walls and repair them. Throw on a fresh coat of paint to the rest of the interior
Repair any broken handles and cupboards
Overall, ensure everything is neat and tidy. We want the buyers to see the property and it’s features, not focus on all of your belongings!
A top tip is to view this process as the first step and a head start to packing up your things. Organise, tidy, and declutter to give you a smoother transition into your new home.
Set a sale preparation timeline, i.e. how long do you have until you want/ need to sell your home?
Short term goals include minor fixes, cleaning, freshening up
Medium-term goals include larger remodeling and renovating where cost is less than value-added
Long-term goals include large structures, planning applications, development, landscaping, heating upgrades.
Short term
Things that can drive you to sell in a short-term timeline include:
Changes in your life circumstances such as a new job or a divorce
The opportunity to cash in on a hot market. COVID19 created many great opportunities for sellers
Your dream property suddenly became available and you don’t want to miss out
So, this leaves you with a short window to add value and increase the appeal of your property, but fear not, there are so many powerful things that can be done in this time.
If it is broken - fix it. Spend a bit of time around the house looking at the small details and fixing everything you can
De-clutter and freshen the property up. Removing old trinkets and applying a fresh coat of paint works wonders, it’ll also help make the property seem larger and more open
If you have outdoor space, tidy it up. Mow the lawn and trim the bushes
Figure out what the curb appeal of your property is and accentuate it. Large den or office? Put a desk in there! Double garage? Clear it out to help it appear bigger
Stay on top of local sales data and set realistic expectations. This will help you know if the right offer comes in and won’t leave you mulling over the decision for too long
Bring nature inside and ensure there is plenty of natural light, this dramatically changes the feel of a home
Consider home staging for the final touches
Medium-term
So you’ve figured out that your time in this property or neighbourhood is drawing to a close. Perhaps your kids are moving out next year to go to college, or you’re wanting to make a lifestyle move to kickstart your next chapter.
Knowing a year or more in advance will give you ample time to maximise your property’s value and give you the best chance of making the most money.
For larger projects that can be completed in this time, see the ideas below:
Complete all of the ‘short-term’ tasks in the final months before your ideal sale date
Consider applying for planning permission for additional structures/ business licenses (such as grape growing). You don’t have to build these but having the permission granted will be a huge benefit to interested buyers
Look at thoughtful renovations, either to add new features or to restore the property to a ‘like-new state
If you have the space, consider adding outdoor structures such as a patio, fire pit, or deck
Make sure you don’t over-invest on changes that aren’t likely to add much value
To figure out what changes could be made over a longer period of time it is always worth checking in with a REALTOR® to see where the most value can be derived.
Long term
If you have an idea of how long you might stay in a property it is prudent to create a long-term plan for upgrades and value-adding features. This can be done over 1-3 years and by doing so over this period, you’re likely to save more on the expenses. Some things worth looking into include:
Projects included in the medium-term section previously but spread over time
Eco-friendly upgrades include insulation and solar panels. These will save you money in the meantime and increase the value to the future buyer
Larger landscaping and construction projects for additional structures and features
Kitchen and bathroom remodeling
Curb appeal - work on exterior upgrades to revitalize your home’s appearance from the outside
Home staging
Statistics have shown that home staging can dramatically increase a home’s sale price and go a long way in communicating trust to a prospective buyer. We work with some of the best staging partners in the business, they blend interior design and visual storytelling to elevate the characteristics of your home.
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