Selling a house is not like it used to be: it’s not enough to put it on the market and wait. Nowadays you have to take care of your image and publish attractive photos, for example. In the midst of so much on offer, those looking will always choose to visit the houses that look the best. This is nothing new, but in the digital age in which we live, where we have little time and everything has to be a positive experience, there are details you really need to pay attention to.
How can you make your home stand out from the rest? By presenting it in a more attractive way. The real estate marketing techniques through which this can also be done are known as Home Staging. A new concept? Not really. But if you really want to sell your house, pay close attention to these 10 important tips before putting it up for sale.
Start thinking about moving
Most people accumulate a lot of things. This is obvious, especially when you’ve lived in the same house for a long time. All the closets are too full, you can hardly get into the garage or storage room and there may also be too much furniture.
Reviewing everything in your house is a slow and laborious process, but it’s worth doing for several reasons. Firstly, if you’ve already packed up the house, it will save you time and effort when it comes time to move (which in itself is a very stressful time when there are lots of things to organize). And secondly, if you already have less stuff to take with you, the move will probably cost less money, as the price of the move is calculated based on the amount of stuff you have, often, and the capacity required.
A house full of furniture and things doesn’t sell. So start thinking about moving before you put up the “For sale” sign.
Painting the house
If your budget allows, I recommend painting the house because it gives a better impression. Above all, you should paint whenever the walls have a lot of stains. A stained wall shows its history: you have to bear in mind that decoration leaves traces (for example, moldings), just like a bookcase or a lamp, and this is more noticeable if the owners are smokers. In general, a new coat of paint gives a fresh, clean impression. In addition, you can choose a neutral color and change it if the previous colors are not too bright.
Repair all flaws
Most people aren’t too convinced about buying a house that needs fixing up long before they can move in. Any damage visible during the visit will make the potential buyer see your house as “a building project” and think that you will have to invest a lot of time and money to update it. What’s more, if the house is in good condition and doesn’t need many repairs, the buyer will have fewer excuses to negotiate the price. Therefore, fixing small imperfections is an investment that will be very profitable.
Clean until it shines
Everyone loves walking into a house that smells clean. Although you clean your house often, it’s not the same as doing a deep clean. Think about cleaning all the light switches, doors and especially the windows, as clean windows let in a lot more light.
Removing personal belongings
If a house has a lot of personal belongings, the potential buyer feels like an intruder during the visit and it’s twice as hard for them to imagine living there. This is exactly the opposite of what we want to achieve.
You have to turn your house into a hotel: with a style that isn’t too defined, because that way you can attract a wider audience. And this is exactly the effect we want to achieve with this house preparation process. We want to attract the widest possible audience.
Organizing
What does order have to do with selling a house? We all like a house that feels like it has a lot of space. In general, a home buyer is looking for a spacious house with plenty of storage. If the potential buyer enters a house where the current owners seem to lack space, they could easily lose interest in this house. It doesn’t matter if the house is actually bigger than yours. For this reason, it’s very important to have the house as organized as possible and with as few things as possible.
Remove furniture to open up spaces
In your day-to-day life, it’s super comfortable to have a sofa or armchair for each member of the family, but by removing that extra armchair or the dining table chairs in the corner, you’ll get a much bigger room. Sometimes it’s even necessary to remove furniture to open up the space.
Invest in modern decorative details
A few cushions, a more modern lamp, new curtains, candles, blankets or plants are all examples of decorative details that go a long way towards making your home attractive to your potential buyer. Details that don’t have to be expensive and that, when placed correctly, will make all the difference.
Take professional photos
Once you’ve prepared the house and it’s clean, tidy and perfectly presentable, it’s time to prepare the photos. A good photograph attracts attention and captivates. If you’re selling your house, it’s essential to have a good portfolio of photos, since the search for properties is done on the Internet. People who want to buy a house will first look at the photos on the real estate portals before deciding whether or not to visit the place. Having a high-quality photo catalog with the house well presented significantly increases the chances of attracting a greater number of clients. If your real estate agent doesn’t work with a professional photographer, I recommend hiring one on your own. It’s a good investment.
If you implement all these tips, we’re sure you’ll attract many visits from potential buyers. Of course, there are 2 factors that are also vital for a successful sale; first and foremost, the selling price. Set the price according to the market, otherwise your house will be left out of Internet searches. And secondly, working with a professional real estate consultant will also make a difference. Find someone who will tell you the truth and not just what you want to hear.
Successfully selling a house isn’t just about deciding on a selling price and posting a few photos on a real estate portal. Selling a house or apartment requires planning, strategy, preparation and adaptation of the house, so coordinating all these factors can make the difference between selling or not selling.
