How to Prepare Your House for a Sale

When you put a home up for sale these days, you’re facing stiff competition. By preparing your house properly you will ensure that you get the best price
and also sell in the shortest period of time.

Demand is currently outstripping supply, particularly in the South East.
(London even more so) It is very important to prepare your
house ready for marketing in order to assist with a speedy sale.

Here are my Top 8 Tips for a quick sale:-

1. Call 3 estate agents and ask them to appraise your
property and how to identify your “ideal buyer” for your house.
For example, a 2 bedroom flat on the 5th floor of a block of flats
near to a train station may appeal more to a young
professional couple than a family. This cannot be understated.
Once you know your ideal buyer, then you can focus on
the “must have features” that your potential buyers really want.

2. De-clutter. If your emotionally attached to your property
then this will be something of a challenge. Getting rid of
personal items such as family picture, furniture and
worn out carpets will be necessary in order to
spruce up your house. Try a create an increased
sense of space in your house by moving or even
removing furniture that is not essential.

3. Make important repairs. Bear in mind if your
buyers see something that requires attention ie
dripping taps or flaking paint or worse a damp
problem it will hinder the sale of your home.
Buyers may wonder what else needs doing that
your not telling them about. So check the outside
and inside of your house identifying all the
problem jobs that need to be done.

4. Get a professional – Some jobs may require
a professional trades person ie builder or plumber
then make sure you get at least 3 different quotes
from different companies before instructing
your chosen professional.
Asking friends or family for a local, professional
trades person that they would recommend is an
recommended way to start your search for the
right person.

5. Keep it neutral. When painting and decoration
keep all the colours as neutral as possible. This will
give your house a clean and tidy look and will help
to appeal to the widest possible audience.

6. Take your pets for a walk. If your a pet owner
it’s important to understand not everyone likes
pets or wants to smell them when they walk through
the door. When viewing’s are taking place make sure
that your pets are out of sight where possible so that
your potential buyers are not distracted from the
primary purpose, selling your home!
Make sure your house is pet odour free and
replace with a fresh, uplifting fragrance.

7. Make sure the house is warm and welcoming
ready for all your hungry buyers.
Pop the fire on and use extra lighting to make the
rooms feel nice and cosy, especially in the winter.
Freshly made bread and hot coffee brewing
in the kitchen will always help you score brownie
points in the home selling stakes.

8. Keep your house tidy and clean as you go so
that you can say yes to any viewing’s easily and
quickly as the need arises. Its important to
remember that your competing with other sellers
on the market, so make sure your ready to open
your doors to the viewing public when its live on
the market. Utilising all these strategies will ensure
you get the best possible price and help you steer clear
of any “bargain hunters”

Sean Toole