Top Tips For Getting Your House Market Ready

Getting your home ready to sell can be a daunting process and it can be hard to know where to start.

You will always find something that needs to be done when it comes to getting your property market ready but our top tips should help you. 

Understand the value of your home 

Setting a listing price for your home can be a delicate balancing act, you don’t want to overvalue the property and scare off potential purchasers and have your property on the market for too long. You also don’t want to undervalue the property and be wondering if you could have gotten more for it.  

It is important to do your homework on the value of your home. Start by researching your local housing market.  Have a look at comparable houses in your neighbourhood to see what they have been selling for and how long they have been on the market.  You will need to compare things such as square meterage, features and location. A good realtor should know the local market and be able to assist with finding comparable properties and helping to determine a listing price for your home to set you up for a successful sale.  

Find the right agent 

It is important to find a Real Estate Agent that is a good fit for you and your property and puts you at ease. When interviewing a listing agent, ask about their experience in your neighbourhood and local knowledge and experience. 

Do your due diligence. Simply asking for recommendations from friends may not be enough, check online reviews. Have a look at how they have value added to the general public by sharing information and expertise.  Those who are willing to share their knowledge usually know a lot more than those who don’t. Do they have social media accounts that provide local information and knowledge?  Do they have newsletters that they distribute? 

A good agent should be able to answer any questions you have and have a plan for how they will go about selling your property. 

Declutter, depersonalise and stage your space 

First impressions count, so decluttering and organising the space can go a long way in leaving a good first impression and help potential buyers find your property appealing. A cluttered house can seem much smaller when a lot of items are taking up space.  It doesn't matter if the items are oversized furniture or small trinkets, you will want to clear as much as possible to create a clear view. 

 A nice clear space will allow potential buyers to focus on the actual home instead of being distracted by clutter. 

 You want to strike the perfect balance between depersonalisation and the appearance of a warm, welcoming home. Depersonalising the space involves removing most personal photos and trinkets you may have around. Whilst these may be lovely and mean a lot to you and your family, they can make it harder for potential buyers to visualise themselves in the home which is the end goal. 

Staging a home ensures that buyers see it in its very best light, and can help illustrate what a property can offer without requiring a complete makeover.

Imagine you are the buyer. What kind of property would you be looking for?  Think about this and try to sell your home with this thought process in mind. Have a think about what your top questions would be before you purchased a property.  

Make minor repairs and updates 

When getting a house ready to sell it is important to take care of any minor repairs and updates that may need fixing. Look at things such as:

• faulty door and window locks 
• leaky taps 
• running toilets 
• cracks and holes in the walls
• doors that won't close properly 
• light bulbs that have blown
• broken appliances that may be included in the sale, such as ovens and stovetops. 

These may seem minor and trivial however, they can give the impression that the home hasn't been well taken care of which can be a turn-off. 

You should also look for any walls that may need repainting. It can be best to paint over any bright colours or feature walls with a neutral colour such as white, light grey or light beige. These can make your home appear bigger, brighter and more welcoming. Having a fresh coat of paint will help convey a blank slate to buyers. 

Tidy up the exterior 

This is the first thing potential buyers see when they pull up at your home and a presentable exterior and yard can go a long way when selling your home. Keeping your lawn trimmed is a great way to catch the attention of potential buyers. 

 You may want to also look at doing things such as: 

• remove any weeds throughout the yard and garden beds
• mulch flower beds 
• use lawn repair kit for bald patches
• low maintenance landscaping (plants that require little to no attention) 
• keep the yard free of clutter 
• clean windows

A clean exterior can give buyers confidence the property has been looked after and draw them in to see the interior. 

Hire a professional photographer

The search for a new home usually starts online so it is crucial that you have high-quality, professional photos in your online listing. Without good-quality images, your home can be very easily overlooked in favour of a listing with better-quality images. 

 A NXT GEN Property Sales Agent has direct access to experienced Real Estate Photographers. This means all you will have to do prior to placing it on the market, is have your clean and staged home ready for the photographer to take high-quality images. Remember quality photos are an investment.  

 You don’t necessarily need photos of every single room and closet in the home. Photos showcasing the home’s best features and selling points are a great way to entice buyers.  Especially if the property has features such as a beautiful entertaining area or pool. 

Avoid over-improving your home with renovations 

If you are thinking about doing a few small improvements to your property before you put it on the market, avoid making over-improvements. They can often be time-consuming, especially if you are wanting to sell quickly. 

 Some renovations may be perceived as personalised and have no value to potential future buyers. 

You can also wind up spending money on improvements that won't necessarily see an increased return at closing.  A home's value is made up of several factors which vary such as:

• market desirability 
• comparing similar properties 
• what a future buyer perceives in value. 

It can be hard to not catch renovation fever but with a little strategic thinking, it is possible to keep in mind what renovations you can both enjoy and increase your property value. 

Selling your property can be an exciting but scary process however, the right listing agent should be able to assist in making it as smooth and stress-free as possible with your desired result.  

If you are getting to sell your property, NXT GEN Property has over 35 years of local knowledge and experience in the real estate industry.