Being able to have your home prepared for potential buyers is always a good idea – especially when you have put your house on the market. But, if you were to take the time to do some of the basic (and less basic) things, you could not only sell your home faster, but for more money as well.
We have covered this subject before in some detail, but there are things that we always feel need reiterating. It’s as the old saying goes, “stick to the basics… and repeat!”
So what are the things you can do to help sell your house faster?
Declutter but don’t de-personalise
When you are selling your home you want any potential buyers to be able to see themselves living there. However, if your home is full of clutter, or has large furniture obstructing things then you need to focus on taking care of this as your first job. Make the space open and airy.
Add a fresh lick of paint
If you haven’t updated your home in a few years and the walls are looking a little worse for wear then, adding a fresh coat of paint may just do the trick. Stick to neutral colours so that things look bigger and brighter.
A report produced in the U.S showed that decorating a home can add up to 5% on your value.
Improving kerb appeal
It goes without saying that if your home looks great from the kerb, it will already put potential buyers in a better mood. A study conducted by YouGov found that kerb appeal is boosted when windows, roofs and garden appear to be in a good condition.
Take care of minor repairs
You know those little jobs you’ve been putting off well, it’s time to take care of them. From holes in walls, broken door knobs, cracked tiles, torn or threadbare carpets, you need to make a list of the things that don’t sell very well to a potential buyer and then get them fixed.
Taking care of minor repairs such as door handles and even holes in the walls can add up to 4% on your house value as according to a YouGov study in 2018.
Update the kitchen
Kitchens really sell homes and they are also the most valuable asset to have in a home; it is worth the most per square foot and can make the difference when buyers are unsure.
Think of updating the worktops or even door fronts. By doing this, you can add up to 10% to your total house value.
Light a fire
If you’re selling in the autumn or winter, lighting a fire can be one of the most attractive factors in selling your home. Many homes have had log burners installed in rooms over the last few years and if you don’t make sure that the fireplace you do have is clean.
Side note: put the heating on to take the chill away from a house if you’re showing your house in these seasons.
Get the right smells
If you want to know a great way to sell your house to potential buyers it has to do with smell. Studies conducted by Eric Spangenberg, Dean of the College of Business at Washington State University, have shown that strong smells cause buyers to consider what the scent is, rather than concentrate on the task at hand: in our case, viewing your property.
Consider smells that are more subtle than the old, “warming the bread in the oven” trick. From citrus to jasmine or cinnamon, these are the smells that have tested best in the study that makes potential buyers consider purchasing a home.
