"The strongest single factor in prosperity consciousness
is self-esteem: believing you can do it, believing
you deserve it, believing you will get it."
- Jerry Gillies

Author and workshop leader

Think About This

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS REALLY DO COUNT ...

A house that "sparkles" on the surface will sell faster than its shabby neighbour, even though both are structurally well-maintained.  From my experience, I also know that a "well-presented" house appeals to more buyers and will sell faster, and often for a higher price. 

Additionally, buyers feel more comfortable purchasing a well-cared for home because if what they can see is maintained, what they can't see has probably also been maintained. 

Presenting your property for sale is the key element for achieving the best possible price, so it is important to do whatever is needed to have it looking its absolute best on inspection day.  Believe me, (and the plethora of lifestyle, property and renovator shows on the telly); it makes a huge difference to the end result.

The following are suggestions to consider in order to help you make your home more saleable and optimise the maximum value.  As you go through these points please do remember these are to help everybody, and may not necessarily apply to you.

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU SPEND?

In preparing your home for the market, you should consider whether you will recoup the money you spend.  For example, although buyers will be impressed by a brand new roof, they may not give you enough extra money to pay for it. 

There is a big difference between making minor and inexpensive "touch-ups" to your house, such as putting new knobs on cabinets and a fresh coat of neutral paint in the living room, and doing extensive and costly renovations, like installing a new kitchen.

Spending up to $1500 in cleaning, painting and making minor repairs will pay you back much more in a higher sales price and result in a faster sale.  Don't hesitate to contact me for advice about which items are cost effective and pay you back many times over in buyer interest.

MAXIMISING EXTERIOR & STREET APPEAL ...

Before putting your house on the market, take as much time as necessary to maximise its exterior and interior appeal.  Tips to enhance your home’s exterior and street appeal include:

• Keep the lawn edged, cut and watered regularly.  We know it’s an awful job that everyone hates doing, but it makes a real difference to keep your lawn cut with neat edges.  It’s the buyer's first impression of your home.  If you really can’t be bothered, it only costs a few dollars to get someone in to take care of it.  A fertilise at the right time of season can have a big impact on colour as well.  Make sure you don’t forget to sweep pathways too.

• Trim branches and shrubs where necessary, especially around windows to allow as much natural light into the house as possible.  Light inside the home is one of the first things people notice about your property.

• There’s no worse turn-off for a prospective buyer than seeing chipped, cracked or peeling pain inside or outside the house.  A little bit of work can make a real difference in tidying up this look.  Check the foundation, steps, walkways, walls, patios and verandahs for cracks and crumbling.

• Gutters, here’s another one of those horrible jobs around the home.  If a buyer notices clogged up drains, spouts and gutters around your property, the first think they’ll think of is how much work they’ve got to do.  Make sure you give guttering, downpipes and drains a good cleanout prior to listing your home for sale.  While you are doing this also repair and replace any loose or damaged roof tiles.

• If you have to look into and out of your property through dirty or smeared windows, you’ll be making a bad impression.  Kids fingerprints, food scraps and torn fly screen are big turn-offs.  Get out the Windex, replace the flyscreen and see the difference it makes!

• Remove any rubbish from your yard and surrounding area such as garage or sheds.  Again it’s not only about the property looking clean, but it helps in creating the appearance of being low maintenance and easy to handle.

• A clean swimming pool with sun glistening off the crystal clear water can add serious dollars to your home.  However, if it looks like something Loch Ness might spend the summer holidays in, forget it!  This is an absolute must – pools have to be spotless to make the right impression.  If you require information concerning the new pool fencing regulations please click here.

• Keep your garage door closed.

• Imagine you are a potential buyer.  Stand across the street, walk through each room and ask yourself what would attract someone to this property?  Think objectively and always remember that first impressions count.

MAXIMISING INTERIOR APPEAL ...

Enhance your home’s interior by giving every room in the house a thorough cleaning, as well as a good de-clutter.  You are not only preparing for a move in a few months' time, but aiming to show your home off to its best advantage and also help make your house appear larger and more spacious.  Some homeowners with crowded rooms have actually rented storage units and moved half their furniture out, creating a minimalist, more spacious look.  Contact National Storage for sizes and prices. 

• Hiring a professional cleaning service, once every few weeks while the house is on the market.  This may be a good investment for owners who are busy elsewhere.

• Removing the less frequently used, even daily used items from kitchen counters and cupboards, making these areas much more inviting.  Since you're anticipating a move anyhow, holding a garage sale at this point is a great idea.

• Of all the rooms inside your home, pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms. They should look as modern, bright and fresh as possible.  It is essential for them to be clean and odour free.

• Buying new towels for the bathroom, to be brought out only when prospective buyers are on the way, or during home opens.  Repairing dripping taps and shower heads.

• It’s amazing what a difference smells make to the impact your home has on potential buyers. Good and bad smells respectively.  Always remove rubbish from kitchen bins and dirty washing from the laundry basket.  People want to smell something nice when they walk in the front door, like essential oils, incense, coffee, or fresh baked muffins.  The last thing they want to smell is the pet pooch, cat litter or someone’s muddy footy socks.

• If necessary, repainting dingy, soiled walls with a neutral shade of paint, such as off-white or beige.   Repairing cracks, holes or damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles.

• A big deciding factor for potential buyers in any property is heating and cooling.  Consider the outside temperature and conditions on the day of your inspection and make sure the inside environment is going to make the right impression.  Utilize air-conditioners, fans and heaters to their full advantage, depending on the season your home is listed for sale in.

• Fresh flowers make a big impression to any home environment.  They add colour, texture and fragrance and can look stunning in the right display, vase, and location in your home.  A small investment for a big return.

• Fill the house with light by opening up curtains and blinds (which will reveal your recently cleaned windows!) and switch on lights if necessary.  Replace all burnt out light bulbs.

• Homeowners learn to live with all kinds of self-set booby traps: roller skates on the stairs, festooned extension cords, slippery throw rugs and low hanging overhead lights.  Make your residence as non-perilous as possible for uninitiated visitors.

• Carpets can add value to your property, or detract just as easily if they are dirty or stained.  Make sure carpets are clean and dust free prior to any inspection, especially if you have pets.

• It’s a bit like the rose coloured glasses thing again.  Ask a friend or family member how the house is looking. Ask them to be honest and give constructive and positive feedback.  And, as hard as it may be sometimes, take the advice on board, consider it, and then make any changes for the better if you wish.

OPEN HOMES & PRIVATE INSPECTIONS ...

Open for Inspections are arranged and conducted with your needs in mind.  Maintaining a regular open for inspection time, (approx 45 mins) removes the inconvenience of inspections interrupting the working week and provides sellers with an organised time where the presentation of their home is crucial. 

• Keep kitchen benches cleared

• Open all curtains and window blinds

• Take pets with you or take them to a neighbour

• No dirty dishes in the sink

• No laundry in the washer/dryer

• Put out new towels in the bathroom

• Put on soft music

 * Always look at your home from the buyer's point of view.  Be objective and be honest.

SOME FINAL TIPS ...

• When buyers come to view your home, don't distract them with offers to sell those furnishings you no longer need.  You may lose the biggest sale of all.

• Buyers are timid, try not to be around during inspections.  Potential buyers sometimes feel uneasy about fully exploring a home when the owner is present.  If you are at home, try to be as inconspicuous as possible.

• Dogs and cats are great companions, you love them and so does everyone at KERRYLEA REALTY, but maybe buyers won't.  Keep them outside during open for inspections.  Many buyers are afraid of animals and some are even allergic to them.  Pets have a talent for getting underfoot.  So do everybody a favour: Keep Kitty and Spot outside, or at least out of the way.

• No matter how humble your abode, never apologize for its shortcomings.  If a buyer volunteers a derogatory comment about your home's appearance, let your sales consultant/agent handle the situation.

• As a matter of security, never allow a prospective purchaser to inspect your home without your sales consultant/agent.  Give the buyer their card and politely close the door.

• When a buyer wants to talk price, terms, or other real estate matters, let them speak to an expert - your consultant/agent of KERRYLEA REALTY.  Remember their experience enables them to better qualify purchasers and negotiate the best price.  Furthermore, negotiations can be kept at a businesslike level when emotions are not involved.

Bye for now

Kerrylea

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