If you have recently put your home up for sale, it’s important to remember that you’re immediately in competition with other sellers in your local area. Anyone who is looking for a property just like yours could have several other options, as well as your one, to choose from. Therefore, can you do anything to make your flat or house stand out from the rest?
The simple answer is yes, of course you can. And it may be easier than you think. Most potential buyers will start to count plus and minus points about a home from the moment they walk up to the place, so creating a great first impression is crucial. If you have a front garden, therefore, make sure it’s neat and tidy, and that the outside of the property in general looks clean and welcoming.
That old cliché about a home that smells of newly-baked bread or fresh coffee being more attractive to a buyer is actually true, so if you can fill your rooms with pleasing aromas then by all means do so. Again, the interior of the home needs to be clean and free from clutter. If you can, try to put yourself in the shoes of the viewer; does this look like a place that you want to live in?
When you first decide to put your home on the market, you should think about the overall condition of the place. If possible, brighten up door frames, skirting boards and elsewhere with a fresh coat of paint, and if there are any major repairs needed it makes sense to have them completed. Always remember, the home’s overall condition is the shop window to a successful sale.
Give your home a credibility audit
It’s a good idea to go through every room in the home and make a list of minor changes that can make it seem more attractive to a buyer. Bear in mind that every cracked tile, every split lampshade and every piece of threadbare carpet can have a negative effect on the overall credibility of the potential purchase. Small remedial actions can be so important at this stage.
Where and how you list your property will vary from person to person, of course, but whichever approach you choose you mustn’t ignore the importance of photos. High quality images, and plenty of them, can make a huge difference. Most people look online at properties first, so make sure you have a lot of pictures that showcase just how wonderful your particular home would be for the right buyers.
If there are any major structural problems with the home, don’t be tempted to try and cover them up or keep them secret from buyers. Such issues will inevitably be discovered in surveys, for example, and sales can collapse at any point during the process. Be honest with buyers and estate agents, and if necessary, consider dropping the asking price in order to take the problem into account.
Here at MML Law, we provide an extensive range of legal services relating to the buying and selling of homes, and we’re also a highly respected estate agency based in Dundee. If you’re in need of representation or you’re looking to sell your home, we’d like to hear from you. Call 01382 206000 today to find out more.