5 Tips to make your house more sellable

When you decide to sell your home, you are entering a competitive marketplace where there are probably numerous other houses that offer similar features. It is imperative if you want to stand out that you put in the time and effort to make your home appealing. A good real estate agent can do a lot for you in this regard, but ultimately it will be up to you to make the house as welcoming and inviting as possible to all the people that are going to come through the door looking to buy. The more polish you can put on your home through little repairs, the more appealing it will be. One of the best things you can do is walk around each room in your home looking at all the imperfections. Try to be a home buyer for a moment and think through their eyes. The more things you can scratch off the list the better. As a seller, you still need to be smart and attract genuine buyers, if you want to get your desired price.

1. Make Necessary Repairs

Buyers don’t want to spend their time or money doing repairs to a home they’ve just bought. You can start by fixing anything off its hinges, replacing broken tiles, repairing holes in walls etc. Replace threadbare carpet and ensure wooden floors are well maintained. Give your home some TLC so that buyers know that it’s been well looked after. Don’t forget to fix any cracks in the driveway, walkway or patio. And this will help increase your home’s curb appeal and will surely help you sell your home.

2. Declutter

Stage the home well so that the buyer can envision themselves living there is important. Boxes and clutter can reduce chances of your home getting sold right away. A distracted buyer won’t be able to visualize where to put their belongings. Plus, a de-cluttered room can give the illusion of more open space. Other tips for hiding the clutter include putting away knick knacks, de-personalizing your space, which includes putting away family photos, clearing off counters, organizing your desk, and organizing toys if you’re selling a home with kids. This includes oversized or too much furniture, large bench top appliances, and personal items like photographs, CDs, books and magazines. This will make your home appear bigger and allow buyers to picture themselves in the space.

3. Freshen up your walls with a coat of paint

If you have painted your bedroom purple and the hallway brown, it’s time for a change. Especially if the colours aren’t in demand. Your personal style can cost your thousands of dollars, so it is better to research the latest colour trends and give the walls a fresh coat of paint. Use a neutral, light shade to make your home appear more spacious. This also gives prospective buyers a blank canvas to visualise what they would do with a room. Don’t forget to paint or varnish the doors too. Investing in a good paint job can get you a bang for your buck, especially if you focus on the kitchen, bathroom, and living room.

4. Brighten your home

If you are selling an apartment or condo, look for outdated light fixtures inside the house. Poor lighting can steal away the attention from the most promising features of your house. You can spend as low as RM250 to buy new bulbs for the whole house. It will give your house a bright and airy feel and will even keep the buyers aware of the best attributes of your home. Aim for soft lighting throughout the home and bright light in the kitchen and bathroom. Use lamps to brighten dark corners. If you have old curtains or blinds, take them down and replace them with basic cotton or linen ones and make sure they are tied back to make the most of any natural light. Make sure you replace burnt out light bulbs. Exterior lighting is as important as interior lights if not more. It not only increases the curb appeal around your house but also enhances safety.

5. Give The Kitchen And Bathroom A Mini Face Lift

If you can afford to invest a bit of capital before you sell, spend it in the kitchen. A warm and cosy kitchen is the heart of the home. Instead of installing new cabinets and appliances, paint them a neutral color so that small nicks and scratches are hidden. Look for other inexpensive and cosmetic ways to bring a good change in your kitchen. You can try swapping outdated and broken hardware with a new cabinet and drawer handles. You can also paint your old appliances using a durable epoxy that is specially designed for appliances.

The bathroom is also as important as the kitchen when it comes to selling your house. If you can’t afford a complete makeover for the bathroom, don’t fret. You can still replace old fixtures, shower curtains and towels to refresh your bathroom’s look and improve its functionality too. Put in a little elbow grease and scrub the tiles to make them shine like new.

An important note for those of you who have pets – we love our pets but not everybody else does. Be aware that many people have allergies to, or are simply not used to animals. Keep them out of the way when prospective buyers are visiting your home.

It may sound like a lot of work, but doing these simple things, can really pay dividends by helping you to attract interested buyers. Remember, you’re not just selling a property but a potential new lifestyle for the homeowner so put yourself in their shoes when preparing your home for sale.