Hints for Property Sellers

Bendigo Real Estate - Property for Sale

If you have decided to sell your home then here are a few tips that will make your property more attractive and appealing to potential purchasers.

Tidy and Clean Homes are Welcoming Homes: Once your property is listed for sale, and especially for inspections and open house days, ensure your house is clean, tidy and uncluttered. Remember first impressions do count and you want viewers to see your property at its best. Position furniture so that rooms have an ‘open’ feel and place fresh flowers and pictures on the wall to give the property extra vibrancy. Remove any clutter, and while family photos are great, limit them to no more than three. Be sure to have the kitchen and bathroom spotless and any used towels replaced with clean ones.

Maintenance - Indoors: Investing some money in any overdue maintenance items will make a big difference and let purchasers know the property is cared for. But be careful not to let maintenance turn into an extensive and expensive renovation only to find you have overcapitalised your property. Also be conscious of keeping any repairs and maintenance in the style and period of your property.

Some of the items which may benefit from some pre-sale maintenance include fixture and fittings items such as door handles, torn flyscreens, broken window latches, light switches, light shades, leaking taps, doors properly opening and closing and clean carpets.

Maintenance – Outdoors: Again, be wary not to over capitalise but, where required consider planting some colourful flowers and if necessary reseed your lawn a suitable time prior to the planned inspection date to let it establish. If you would rather not purchase new plants consider hiring or borrowing some, especially leading up to your front door. Make sure garden beds have been weeded and plants well watered in the days leading up to the inspection. On the day of the inspection give the water a light spray to give it a clean crisp look. And remember to clean the windows inside and out.

Time of Day: Schedule inspections for a time during the day when the rooms are bright and have the maximum sunlight shining in; obviously have the curtains open. If it is a dull day and you can’t use the natural sunlight then make sure all the lights in the house are turned on.

Hot and Cold: If your property is being inspected during winter ensure the heating is on and the property is warm (not hot) and cosy. If during summer then have the air-conditioning on or doors open to let any breeze flow through.

Crowd Control: If you are having an open house limit the number of people in the property at any one time. Too many viewers may make the property feel smaller than it actually is and potential purchasers may struggle to see all the property has to offer.

Pets and Music: Ensure pets are kept out of the property during any inspection and music (if any) is turned down low to avoid creating any distraction.