How to prepare your house for sale? Here’s our 5 step checklist…

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Prepare your house for sale checklist.

Selling a house can be an exciting but also overwhelming process! It’s important to do what you can to prepare your house for sale to make it as appealing as possible to potential buyers. 

Here is a short checklist of things you need to do to get your house ready for sale to maximise your chance of a successful sale.

1. Declutter furniture & belongings.

Start by getting rid of any unnecessary items, such as old furniture, unused appliances and personal belongings that can make the space look cluttered. Less is often more when it comes to staging a home for sale, so aim for a clean and spacious environment that allows buyers to envision themselves living there.

2. Deep cleaning!

Give your house a thorough cleaning from top to bottom. Dust and hoover all surfaces, clean windows, wipe down cabinets and shelves, and scrub bathrooms/kitchens until they shine. Pay special attention to areas that are easily overlooked, such as skirting boards, light fixtures and dark corners. A clean and fresh-smelling home will leave a lasting impression on potential buyers!

3. Make quick repairs & repaint.

Try to take a critical look at your house and identify any visible issues that need fixing. This might include loose door handles, leaking taps, cracked tiles or paint work. These small repairs can make a big difference in how your home is perceived by buyers. Additionally, consider giving the walls a fresh coat of neutral paint to provide a clean canvas for potential buyers to visualise their own style.

4. Tidy exterior & enhance curb appeal.

The first impression of your home starts from the moment buyers park up outside or start to walk towards it. Make sure the exterior of your house is well-maintained by mowing the lawn, trimming hedges and clearing away any clutter. You can try to add some potted plants or flowers to brighten up the front entrance and enhance the overall curb appeal. Remember, a welcoming exterior will entice buyers to want to see more & leave them with a good first impression!

5. Stage your home to showcase it!

Staging is the final touch that can truly make your home stand out. This is something that’s very popular in America or Australia but is only really used in the UK by property developers. It involves rearranging furniture to create open and inviting spaces, using decor that will appeal to your target market. Typically it involves decorating spaces with neutral colours and minimal personal items to help buyers envision themselves in the space, with careful attention paid to details like lighting and ambiance to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. A property professional who works as a property stager can help you to do this!

Overall, preparing your house for sale requires time and effort but the benefits are well worth it. 

You can significantly increase your chances of selling your home quickly and for your asking price by decluttering, deep cleaning, making necessary repairs, enhancing curb appeal and staging your home effectively. 

We hope you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and get ready to showcase your home in its best light! Alternatively, if you don’t have the time to do this yourself or the prospect of all this seems a little overwhelming you can get a property stager to help you. At Doormarked we connect you with a property stager local to you! 

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