Tips for Property Sellers

Preparing your house for sale is a gigantic task to sellers simply because they don't know what is seen or what needs to be done. Here are some simple ideas to make your property more attractive to buyers.

Make an entrance - Front Yard

• Add interest to your doorway with potted plants

• Pave a pathway to your front door

• Spruce up your front door with a coat of paint

• Consider improving privacy by adding a low wall at the front of your home

• If your hallway is narrow and dark paint it a light colour and add a broad floor runner

• Invest in a new front door mat

Living Style - Lounge Room

• Use neutral colours in your living space

• Use receding colours like blues and greens to make the small space seem larger   

• Find a focus in your room.  If you don't have a natural focus, add a feature wall    Ensure your carpets are cleaned

• Ensure marked or damaged timber floors are re-sanded and polished

• Layout your living area to show how you live there

The Room That Sells - Kitchens

• Fix the floor by lifting old lino and replacing it with new lino, polished floorboards or tiles

• If your bench tops are scratched or stained, replace them with new laminate bench tops

• New cupboard and drawer handles will add life to an old kitchen

• A fresh coat of paint will cover cooking splatters and add life to a drab kitchen   

• Kitchen clutter must be cleared

Soak Up a Sale - Bathroom

• Your bathroom must be spotless and tiles clean

• Fix or replace cracked basins, toilets or tubs

• Air your bathroom before inspections - bad smells are a buyer turn off!

• Add a little luxury with plush towels, handmade soaps, a plant or flowers

• Add some boutique bath products

• If your bathroom is small maximise space by putting the towel rail behind the door

Sleeping In Style

• Reduce the amount of furniture in small bedrooms to give the impression of space

• Storage is important - consider adding built-in wardrobes

• Add a little luxury with fresh linen, puffed pillows and extra cushions

• Dimmer switches create atmosphere in a bedroom

• De-personalise your bedroom but add little touches like candles and perfume bottles

Step Outside - Backyard

• Trim your lawns and weed your garden beds

• Define your garden bed borders

• Add a focal point

• Give the illusion of space in a courtyard by using large pavers

• Introduce colour with pots of whatever is in flower

Finishing Touches

• Ensure all areas have been dusted, vacuumed and place new light bulbs in all rooms

• Add colour to neutral rooms through accessories

• Keep window treatments simple

• Disguise small windows: hang curtains from the top of the wall not the top of the window 

• Add elegance by extending your curtain drop so it pillows on the floor

• Don't go overboard with patterned accessories as they create a cluttered feeling.