By Kai Iris
Preparing your property for listing for sale can be a daunting prospect, and even a single small oversight can prevent a potential buyer from making an offer. Drawing from some of the most essential checks, we’ve put together some handy tips that will help you to feel less overwhelmed.
Paint
Give both your external and internal walls a new lease on life by painting them, either in the same colour they are now, or something a bit more daring. Even if you choose not to refresh your home’s colour, you’re still giving it a fresh and attractive appearance. Accent walls make for great focal points within a room and can even influence the amount of perceived space. If your home does not have a tiled roof, we recommend that you also paint the roof, taking the time to check for cracks and leaks before commencing.
Front Doors and Window Frames
A simple, relatively inexpensive way to make your home stand out from others on the block is to have a less conventional front door. This could be anything from a painted door, to one that is carved out to reflect a scene, or even one with stained glass panels.
If your property has wooden frames securing the windows, ensure that all the timber is sanded down and varnished, as visible deterioration is a significant concern for many homebuyers. Alternatively, if you want to remodel the window frames, aluminium frames are durable and weather resistant, which is perfect for the British climate.
Garden
Well-tended gardens are not only beautiful to look at, but they also add value to your property. Potential buyers are often looking to purchase a home with already-established curb appeal, knowing that it means less initial work. A few quick tips can turn your garden into a welcoming oasis:
- Garden sheds in which tools and gardening equipment are neatly stored are commonly sought after, however, some home decorators are now choosing to renovate outbuildings into log cabins to create an additional entertainment space.
- Clean, level pathways are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they also contribute to the safety of your family and visitors.
- Window boxes in the kitchen windowsill that contain your own home-grow herbs add to the homely feel of the house, as well as maximising garden space
Bathrooms
If your bathroom is an especially bold colour, it may be a put-off to potential homebuyers; should they decide to purchase your property, they may end up remodelling the bathroom to suit their individual taste. We advise that, if you can afford it, you revamp the space in a neutral colour which may be better suited to the various buyers that view your showhouse. You are almost always guaranteed to get your initial investment back, if not more, once the sale of your home is finalised.
Flooring
There are a number of flooring types available on the market. Some of the most important factors to consider when listing your home for sale are:
- The kind of flooring you currently have within your home. If the rooms are carpeted, you may want to have the rugs professionally cleaned before hosting an open house. Any broken tiles should be immediately replaced to prevent damage to the rest of the floor, and also for safety reasons. Laminated floors are becoming increasingly popular; if you have such floor coverings in your home, keep them clean and well-maintained.
- It is advisable to have durable floor-coverings in high-traffic areas within your home. Laminated flooring is recommended. In the case of children’s playrooms, a great solution is rubber flooring tiles. They not only protect your regular floors but are easy to clean as well.
Armed with these few tips, you should be well on your way to getting your property ready for sale.
