You rarely get a second chance to make a first impression which is why it’s important to prepare your home well so that it can reach its full potential. This process can be time-consuming, and you may consider enlisting the help of a professional home stylist. Here are 10 steps that will help get your property ready to sell, which will make it irresistible to buyers.
Prepare your paperwork
You do not want to hold up the sale of your property because of missing paperwork. This is particularly important if you have carried out major structural work on your property. There are always experts on hand to help if you encounter problems sourcing documents so there is no need to panic. However, this can be a lengthy process that will not inspire buyers with confidence, so it’s always best to be prepared.
Take a tour of your property with a professional stylist
It’s important to have a plan and there may be details of your property that need perfecting. Whether you start indoors or outdoors, taking a tour of your property with an expert who can advise you on how to best dress your home is a worthwhile exercise. Capturing areas of your home that need attention is equally important. Use your phone’s camera to create a to-do list, from pruning rose bushes to paintwork and minor repairs. This will speed up the process and be useful for your hired help such as your gardener and maintenance team.
Begin by decluttering, depersonalising, and deep cleaning
Your home may be cleaned regularly by cleaners; however, there will be items that are better stowed away and conducting a deep clean will also ensure all areas are as presentable as possible. Books, games and bottles might not be items you want to share with the world when pictures of your home go online. You also want to create space while making your home’s features, layout, and interiors look their best. Essentially, you are neutralising your home so potential buyers can more easily envisage living in it.
Maintenance is a must
Whether you like to get involved or have a maintenance team, fix anything that’s broken, from cracked tiles to loose doorknobs. While you are decluttering, you may find maintenance issues that slightly tarnish the aesthetics of your home. However, it’s also important to have documentary proof that your home is well maintained. Whether it’s a pool or central heating system, a well-maintained home is much more appealing to buyers. If your home looks pristine, then it creates the impression that it is maintained to the highest standards.
Create good first impressions
Whether your home offers a gate to a long drive or a facia of a town house, take in the details. From any paving that needs cleaning to how the entrance hall greets you and how sparkly the windows are. Create a pristine welcome that is as flawless as possible yet homely. If you adopt this approach throughout the entire property, then good first impressions will last. When buyers make an entrance, you want to make it an experience that is unforgettable.
Prepare outdoor spaces well
Don’t leave your garden and outdoor spaces until the last minute. These areas, whether they comprise outdoor dining or poolside entertainment spaces, play a huge role in the desirability of your home. Your garden is as important as any other room in your home. Neatly trimmed lawns, feature lighting, and garden rooms staged with cushions or throws, will make your home stand out and entice potential buyers to book viewings.
Make the right arrangements
Now that cleaning, decluttering, depersonalising, and any niggling maintenance issues have been put to bed, arranging your furniture will allow your home’s rooms to make a bigger impact while creating a sense of luxury. Creased bedding in even the most perfect of homes can be off-putting and will not do your home justice. Styling beds with neutral shades and cushions will make your bedrooms look inviting. Before your agent captures pictures or a video tour of your home, check that you have made all the necessary arrangements, including hiring any help with styling tips for your home.
Set the scene
While it’s important that you make your home look a little more generic and orderly, it’s also good to add little details that may make your home more appealing. If your home looks lived in while leaving creative scope for your potential buyers to see themselves living there, then you have done a good job of dressing it. Making sure each room has purpose, then adding flowers, candles, showcasing your home's artwork, or setting your outdoor or indoor dining tables will offer buyers a taste of a better lifestyle.
Introduce your home to the right buyers
Having completed these steps, it’s now time to introduce your home to the world. To do this, you need an agent who will capture the beauty of your home and connect it to the right buyers. You may also need guidance through the various steps outlined before you begin this process. Having the right team in place is important and will help you achieve your property’s true value potential.
Contact us
If you would like the best expertise and guidance, contacting your local Fine & Country agent is a vital step to selling your home.