Preparing Your Home to Sell: What Not to Do

Selling your home can be surprisingly time-consuming and emotionally challenging. It is the single most valuable and personal asset you can put on the market, so it is important to take your time and make sure everything is done the right way. To help you avoid making any mistakes when preparing your home for a sale, here are some key things to consider...

Deep cleaning is a must

A thorough deep clean is absolutely necessary to attract buyers and you should target all the spots you might miss during your everyday clean-ups. Getting your home looking as fresh as possible will tell buyers that it has been looked after and that they won’t have to worry about undergoing any of their own large cleaning tasks upon move-in day.

Don’t let the house appear too ‘lived in’

Washing hanging up outside, dishes left on the rack, and blankets on the sofas are all subconscious signs that your home suits an average lifestyle when what you’re really trying to sell is a lifestyle which exceeds the buyer’s current one. Try to clear away items that aren’t in their right place, as this will leave more to the buyer’s imagination about what living in your home is like.

Don’t over personalise

It’s nothing personal, but items that you love in your home could be a distraction to others. Presenting the space as neutrally as possible will allow the buyers to envision themselves living in your home, rather than feeling like they are visiting someone’s property. This doesn’t mean you should clear everything away; picture how you would wish a fully furnished property to be presented to you, and go from there.

Don’t box everything up before taking photographs

Unless it’s a brand-new home, most buyers will need to see some furniture arrangements to visualise living in the home. Furniture can give a room a purpose and plays to its strengths while also distracting from any weaknesses. Make sure your best furniture is on display and is looking at its best – this means fluffing and arranging pillows, polishing and dusting shelves, and setting up the dining table with finishing touches.

Don’t waste valuable space

Plenty of room is hugely attractive to buyers, which is why you should give all rooms a purpose and make them appear as though you use them frequently – even if you don’t.

Don’t block out the light

One of the worst mistakes you could make when presenting your home for a viewing is closing the blinds and curtains. Natural lighting can be your home’s best friend, as it reflects off of shiny surfaces and creates an illusion of expanded space, while also making the room brighter and airier. The views outside your windows are also important to buyers, so make sure they’re on full display to show every aspect that your home and its location have to offer.

Don’t skip the agent

It can be tempting to sell your home alone and skip any agent fees, but there are several risks involved and it’s important to note that there could be consequences when attempting to navigate the property market alone. Without an agent, you could risk encountering fraud or receiving offers much lower than your home’s true value. A good agent has your best interests at heart. They will help you set a fair and competitive selling price for your home, which will increase your odds of a quick sale. An agent will also have more experience negotiating home sales, helping you get more money than you could on your own. If any problems crop up during the process, an experienced professional will also be there to handle them for you.