Where to start? Spend some time doing an unbiased walk through your home with open eyes and look at the details of each room that you would ‘normally’ overlook. Start at the front door and take a good hard look , and be honest.
Flaking paint, a crooked letter box, an unkempt hedge, a blown light bulb – it’s all there and yes, it’s all going to need your attention. Be ruthless and look at every corner – potential buyers are doing the same thing. The idea of writing a list can be overwhelming, it’s so hard to admit but it is important to note it all down as it will form your ‘to-do’ list. The things that you miss just may cost you the sale.
Do the same in each room – in the bedrooms, look at the top of wardrobes and window coverings, in the kitchen – on top of the fridge and windowsill as well as all cupboards. The number of times I’ve arrived at a home at sale time to discover the last year’s worth of catalogues on top of the fridge is alarming – some potential buyers will not look any further and won’t give your property a second thought.
Lounge Room
De-Clutter and make it homely! Loose the ornaments and photo’s that make it ‘you’ and give the room a sense of space and style. Try to position your lounge to make the most of the view and make sure that there is a clear path around the room – let potential buyers feel at home in the space and give them the chance to walk through the space.
The essentials: New matching cushions, a clean coffee table with inspiring home books and magazines, sparkling windows and fresh flowers. A new coat of paint goes a very long way. Cool energy bulbs are out – make sure that all lighting is clean and operating correctly with warm globes. On open day, leave all lights on to add to the warmth and brightness of the room.
Desirable: New white venetian blinds will give a tired window a new look. New carpet can really add value, particularly in the entry and living room. And a weekend with a painting brush and a neutral colour such as Beige Royal by Dulux will give the rooms a new look – and get rid of those dated feature walls.
The Kitchen
Clean it from top to bottom. Empty those cupboards and put the non essentials in storage. It will make a world of difference to the space. Clean the tops of all cupboards and leave them bare and try to pack as many of your appliances away, giving potential buyers the opportunity to see the kitchen in it’s entirety. On open days, it goes without saying to make sure that all traces of your breakfast (or even worse, yesterday’s dinner) are gone. Crumbs, full garbage bins and a sink full of dishes are an immediate turn off.
The essentials: Clean that oven out. Now do it again – it needs to be spotless. As does your fridge. Take away all items that don’t really belong, or that can be stored elsewhere. The ironing board shoved beside the fridge – gone. The third draw that is full of manuals, receipts, sticky tape and junk – clear it out. Use that drawer for other kitchen utensils – potential buyers will notice the space and admire how organized you are.
Use coordinating tea towels and accessories with matching pots – bright red tea towels on the stove and a bowl full of red apples will add that special touch without spending a cent.
Desirable: Give the ceiling and walls a quick paint, install a new window covering and a new floor matt to hide a dated floor. Updating the old stove and door handles can give your kitchen a new look without breaking the bank.
The Bedroom
A good clean up is a great start. Most potential buyers will have measurements of the existing furniture – so give them the room to measure your bedrooms without having to climb all over full washing baskets and old computer towers. Get rid of all unnecessary furniture and where possible, arrange rooms so that the bed does not directly face the door. Spacious and clear is the key. Matching bed side table and lamps are a must – as is a clean freshly made bed. A good tip is to have two quilts for the bed at sale time – one for you, and one for open days. Choose simple white linen to add to the brightness of the room and use coordinating cushions and a throw rug.
The essentials: Make sure your wardrobe is spotless. Have a huge clean out and get rid of all of those clothes that cramp your wardrobe (and possibly your style). It’s time to let go of your white and stone-wash jeans and give to your favorite charity. Make sure that all blinds are in working order and open when your house is being viewed.
Plan a budget if you can of what you can afford to spend on staging your home. Often, the simple changes will make all the difference and will help you get your top dollar. A good clean out costs nothing – but you need to be ruthless. Remember, those kitchen cupboards should look roomy and your wardrobes should look spacious to give potential buyers the space to imagine. Stick with it during the sale process, it just might give you the motivation to change in your new home.
No comments:
Post a Comment