Selling a property can be a roller coaster ride. Some people are lucky enough to attract attention and secure offers rapidly, but in other cases, it can take weeks, or even months, to entice buyers. If you’re preparing to put the ‘for sale’ sign up, it’s beneficial to get your home ready. Sprucing up your house or apartment can maximise the chances of a quick sale and make your property more appealing to prospective buyers. Here are some simple ways to get your home ready for market.  

Consider kerb appeal

Studies suggest that almost 70% of buyers think kerb appeal is important when looking for a new home. Many of us want to buy a property we like the look of from the outside. In some cases, buyers won’t even look at photographs or step inside a house if they don’t think the exterior is attractive enough. As a vendor, it’s beneficial to consider curb appeal when staging your home. You want your home to stand out for the right reasons and leave buyers wanting to get inside and see more. Be wary of turn-offs, including untidy gardens, unkempt porches, litter bins on the driveway, chipped paintwork and dirty windows and doors. 

Simple tasks and touches like refreshing external paintwork, adding a coat of vibrant paint to the front door and clearing and washing the driveway can make a huge difference. Tackle stubborn dirt and debris with an electric power washer, take your bins around the back or side of the house, and use planters, hanging baskets and door furniture to make your home look welcoming and well-loved. Clean your windows, keep the driveway free from vehicles during viewings and add a custom name plaque or numbers to the porch or front door. 

Revamp your walls with fresh paint

Painting your walls can transform living spaces in an instant. Fresh paintwork makes rooms look smart and inviting and it can also make homes more appealing to buyers because it eliminates a job for them. Many people are looking for properties they can move straight into with minimal hassle. Think carefully about the colours you choose if you’re preparing your home for sale. Put your personal tastes aside and consider your target buyer. Neutral colourways are often the best option because they have universal appeal and they represent a blank canvas. If you have small rooms, lighter shades will also make the space look bigger and brighter. 

Tackle unfinished DIY jobs

Many of us are guilty of starting DIY jobs and not finishing them. A lack of time and other tasks and commitments that take priority can result in half-baked projects. Before you sell your home, write a list of all the jobs you’ve got to complete and work your way through them. If you don’t have much time, or you need specialist tools or expertise, consider contacting local businesses that can help you check off all the tasks on your list quickly and efficiently. 

Declutter

Clutter is one of the biggest red flags for potential buyers. If your house is packed to the rafters, it will be difficult for buyers to see past the many piles of stuff and appreciate the positives your home offers. Decluttering is beneficial for sellers for many reasons. Firstly, it enables you to get rid of anything you don’t want, need or use before you pack up all your possessions to move to a new home. Secondly, it creates more usable space, which will appeal to prospective buyers. Decluttering also makes rooms look larger and lighter. For many people, organising their stuff can also be cathartic. Moving is notoriously stressful so you may find that getting your home in order makes you feel better.

To declutter your home effectively, work methodically. Tackle each room, be decisive about what you want to keep or throw away and make the most of storage solutions. Find a home for everything you want to keep. This will make keeping your home tidy much easier. If you’ve got a pile of stuff you don’t want, you could donate it to charity, offer items to friends or family members or sell your possessions online and raise a bit of extra cash. 

Clean

Dirt and dust can put buyers off even the most beautiful properties. Cleaning your home is a must before you take photographs for your listing or welcome real estate agents and buyers for viewings. If you have a hectic schedule and you’re worried about finding time to do a deep clean, you could look for a local residential cleaning company. A clean, tidy and fresh home will be much more appealing to buyers and it will also be more pleasant for you to live in while you’re preparing to move. 

Maximise natural light

Natural light is important when you’re selling your home as it makes rooms look brighter and more spacious and welcoming. Exposure to light lifts our moods and it can set the right tone for a viewing. Try to maximise natural light in your house by opening the curtains or blinds, opting for light colours on your walls and floors and angling furniture towards doors and windows. Hanging mirrors on the walls bounces light around to create the illusion of bigger and brighter living spaces. It can also provide a stunning focal point to make your interiors more attractive. 

Elevate your kitchen

The kitchen is the most important room in the home for most buyers. If a buyer falls in love with a kitchen, they may be willing to compromise on other rooms. Before you list your home, try to elevate your kitchen and make it as appealing as possible to your target buyer. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to achieve amazing results. Simple tricks like painting the walls and kitchen units, adding on-trend accessories, plants and flowers and clearing countertops can make a big difference. 

If you’re thinking about selling your home, it’s beneficial to spruce it up before the ‘for sale’ sign goes up. Preparing your house could make a big difference when it comes to finding buyers and encouraging them to make an offer. Focus on key areas, including adding kerb appeal, eradicating red flags and turn-offs, elevating your kitchen and creating a fresh, clean, bright and welcoming home, which will attract buyers and persuade them to choose your home over other properties.