It’s not generally possible to sell your home overnight but by making the right preparations you can increase your chances of selling fast. It’s worth taking a week or two to prepare your home properly as it can knock weeks or even months off your selling time.
In an uncertain market that’s a real bonus.
Check The Value
Before you do anything it’s a good idea to find out the value of your home and others like it. To do this you need to contact a real estate agent and ask them to visit. They will be able to assess your home in accordance with what else is on the market and give you what should be a realistic price. You’ll need to talk to more than one real estate agent to ensure the price range is similar.
However, if you’re after a fast sell then you should really consider the local auctioneer, Sydney. Although they still work on commission their aim is to sell your house in one auction. They can give you a more realistic price for a quick sale than the real estate agent; it’s worth considering using their service.
Getting the value will allow you to confirm that you can and still want to sell.
PaperWork
It’s also a good idea to get your documents together. This will be your deeds, any warranties you have, surveys that have been completed and even the paperwork from when you bought the house.
This can help if your buyer wants a quick sale; especially if your deeds are safely in the bank and take several weeks to access.
It’s a good idea to get a solicitor lined up and give the all the paperwork ready; it will save a lot of tie.
Drive By
You need to look at the curb appeal of your home inside and out. Many buyers now look for properties over the internet; the pictures of your home are what will sell it.
This means walking up to your home and round it with an objective eye; or a friend who is prepared to be brutally honest. For example the bright pink feature wall that you love is likely to put off potential buyers.
You should look at painting the inside a neutral, pale color. This also applies to the outside of your home. Hedges need to be trimmed; the grass cut and the weeds got rid of. In particular the path a potential buyer will walk to the front door should be immaculate and the door itself should be clean and well presented.
This will help to get people through your door!
Energy Efficiency
You need to have an energy efficiency rating before you can sell your home. The sooner you get this done the better. Although it is unlikely that you are going to make fundamental changes to improve the rating; having it done shows that you are serious about the sale.
It can be a good idea to have an electrical and property survey completed as well. This will allow you to identify any potential issues and rectify them. Or you can simply be prepared for the additional negotiation over the price.
Staging Your Home
The homes that sell fastest are those that have been staged to improve their buying prospects.
Yes, you can have a freshly baked cake in the oven and the smell of fresh coffee but what really counts is taking out the clutter.
You need to remove non-essential items and personal items. But, you shouldn’t remove all your personal items or the house will feel blank and barren. A few personal items give it warmth but still allow potential buyers to imagine themselves living there.
Equally removing the clutter can make the house seem larger and brighter.
Check Out The Kitchen
The kitchen is still generally considered as the heart of the home. You need to take a look at your kitchen and decide if it is looking good or a little tired. If it has seen better days you don’t need to remove it and replace it. Instead you can replace the cupboard doors and countertops. IF necessary give it a lick of paint and it will appear transformed.
Clean It!
Never underestimate the power of a clean house. If you don’t have the time or inclination then get a professional firm to deep clean your home. You’ll be surprised at the difference it makes.
A professional firm will use steam cleaners and other professional equipment to ensure every corner of your home glows.
On The Day
F you have a viewing make sure your wardrobes are half full; this makes them seem more spacious; you’ll be surprised how many buyers take a peek.
You should also open your windows to ensure there is plenty of fresh air in your home and flowers are always a nice touch. But don’t go overboard; it may appear like you’re trying too hard and that will encourage a buyer to negotiate more.