Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
Do this for TOP DOLLAR
Break out the elbow grease! Thoroughly scrub, wash, wipe and sweep your house inside and out. Make sure you get into all the nooks and crannies for a complete clean.
Don’t go too far. Avoid big expensive renos in kitchens and bathrooms. While a quick spruce up is great, don’t get sucked into redoing the whole thing. A blank canvas is an appealing thing for buyers.
Get out of the picture. Buyers want to walk into a house they feel is theirs, not peeking into someone else’s home. Remove photos, clear off the fridge and stow your personal items.
Make a strong first impression. As Streetwise, page 150, proves, street appeal is one of the most important things to consider. You want buyers to actually stop, not keep driving. At the very least, mow the lawn, trim shrubs and fill garden beds with a layer of mulch.
Go bloomin’ mad! Add colour, life and fragrance with the careful placement of flowers and indoor plants. Don’t turn your house into a pop-up florist, but a few flashes of colour here and there will add to the overall appeal.
Cut the clutter. Everyone accumulates loads of stuff over the years, so when you’re selling up, use it as an excuse to declutter! Not only will it make your home more tidy, you’ll also get a head start on the packing before you move.
Shoot the breeze. Open up doors and windows during inspections to make your place bright and breezy. Make sure your windows are spotless so buyers can see right through them.
Share the love! Don’t forget secondary rooms. Your buyers will want to have a good look around into every nook, so give areas like the laundry, garage and shed a clean and tidy.
Put the pressure on. A pressure washer will be your best friend when it comes to cleaning the exterior of your home. Use it to wash the walls and eaves. You’ll be amazed at how good driveways and paths look after a quick blast.
Go green! A couple of weeks before open house, feed your lawns (hose-on fertiliser is the quickest!). By the time the hordes arrive, your grass will be lush, green and looking its best.