To ensure that you get top dollar for your property, it is essential to tackle some pre-sale home improvements to make your property as appealing as possible to potential buyers.
READ: 7 Upgrades that will improve your home's kerb appeal dramatically
Adrian Goslett, Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, says that the pre-sale preparations become all the more important when market conditions are tight. “With interest rates remaining high, and economic growth remaining slow, qualified buyers can become scarce. To give yourself the best chance of selling for the best price possible, it is important to get the home in good selling condition before it hits the market,” he recommends.
To help homeowners get their homes ready for listing, RE/MAX of Southern Africa shares a few of the top pre-sale preparations all sellers should tackle ahead of a sale:
- First impressions are crucial. Tackle some gardening and power wash the exterior of your home, including walkways and driveway. Clean windows and gutters to give your home a well-kept look.
- Remove personal items, bulky furniture, and clutter to create a spacious, inviting environment.
- A thorough cleaning is non-negotiable. Consider hiring professional cleaners, especially for carpeted spaces.
- A fresh coat of paint can dramatically transform your home’s appearance. Neutral colours tend to help buyers focus on the home’s features rather than bold paint choices.
- Replace outdated faucets, showerheads, and cabinet hardware with modern, stylish options. Even small changes can make a big impact.
- Clean or replace grout to make tiled areas look new and well-maintained. Fresh grout can brighten up the entire bathroom.
- Address any leaks, cracks, or other visible damages in your home.
- Ensure all electrical systems and plumbing are in working order. These issues will need to be addressed anyway to receive your certificates of compliance.
- Inspect your roof and foundation for any necessary repairs. If there is noticeable damage to these areas, this will put many buyers off.
Ultimately, Goslett notes that preparing your home for sale involves a mix of aesthetic updates and essential repairs. “By taking the time to enhance your home’s appeal, you can attract more potential buyers and ultimately secure a better sale price. The goal is to create a welcoming, move-in-ready environment that buyers can envision as their future home. If you are unsure how best to achieve this, I would recommend that you lean on the advice and expertise of a RE/MAX agent,” he says.
READ: 3 budget-friendly ways to up your home’s kerb appeal
Here is a look back at some top tips shared by top interior designers and Tyson Properties agents in 2023, on making sure that your home is in tip top condition:
Paint: A good paint job makes a home look well-kept and loved and can even add to the price. Identify any cracks, chips or marks on walls and, if you can’t match the paint to disguise them, simply give that exterior wall or room a new lick of colour. Don’t forget that your front door is the ‘statement’ entry way. Make sure that it looks bright and welcoming – depending on the colour and style of your home, consider painting it using a statement contrasting colour.
Keep it crisp, clean and comfy: While quirky personal items do need to be stowed out of sight, your house still needs to feel homely and welcoming. The first rule of thumb is, keep it clean. That means no grubby surfaces, dusty shelves, blinds or fans. Ensure that baths and showers are clean and mould free, carpets have been vacuumed and floors swept or mopped. Wash those windows. Remove any stained furnishings (or hide stains under rugs or throws). Pack away the teddy bears. Instead, store kids’ toys in trendy baskets which can double up as attractive décor items.
Decor and detail: Keep the decor in your home simple but warm. Add a houseplant or a vase of pretty flowers to rooms that need a little energy or colour. In bedrooms, a lovely headboard makes a big difference. Make sure that your beds have fresh – preferably white – bedlinen (if you splash out on bedlinen, you will be able to take it with you) and use some scatter cushions and maybe a throw on the bed.
READ: 9 cost-effective room transformations that will redefine any space
Let there be light: Allow natural light to work some magic in your house and make it seem bigger and more inviting. Using mirrors in smaller rooms creates the illusion of space. Remove heavy drapes and curtains and valances from windows whenever possible. Replace any outdated light fittings – or add down lighters in dark spots to complement existing lighting.
Keep up the kerb appeal: Keep the edges to drives and pathways neat, replace any cracked paving and give tatty planters a lick of paint. Add a few colourful potted plants by the door or on the patio.
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