Selling property is a challenge, especially when there are a lot of properties on the market. In such a market buyers are very choosy and exceedingly demanding and it is highly recommended that you conduct a thorough property audit with the help of Property To Do Checklist below.
To Do Checklist
Overall appearance is very important. First impressions of your home are formed before the buyer reaches your front door. Often the buyer ‘tours’ the garden first and you want to ensure that they find their inspection interesting and enjoyable.
Checklist — Exterior
If the exterior of the house is dirty or paint is falling off, the exterior has to be powerwashed or painted. If you cannot do this yourself get competitive quotations and outsource the job.
Landscaping — Trim all shrubs and trees. Remove all cut branches and litter in the garden including fallen leaves. Enhance the appeal of your garden by planting colourful shrubbery and flowers (when in season).
Terraces and Balconies and Paved Areas — If needed, powerwash the surfaces and ensure that tiling and grouting is sharp and that woodwork is sanded back and stained or painted.
Lights — Make sure that all exterior lights are fixed, cleaned and operational.
Checklist — Home Interior Preparation
It is important to make your home as pleasant as possible—and that means having the whole of your home Show Ready:
Entry:
When buyers arrive at your front door ensure they enter a bright uncluttered area. Make certain it is well lit, clean and that all spaces are unencumbered with unwanted items. Pristinely clean floors are appreciated by all!
Living Areas:
Ensure the traffic flow is smooth and obstacle free. Keep furniture at a functional bare minimum, this will also reflect positively on the general perception of the room size. You should always remove items from overflowing bookshelves and display cabinets.
Kitchen:
Paying attention to kitchen cleanliness is very important as this is one of the most inspected areas. Stoves, ovens, hoods, worktops, exhaust filters, visible kitchen appliances – make them shine! Do not forget splash backs and cabinet doors.
Take it for granted that they will look inside the oven!
Bedrooms:
Remove all clutter and make the best presentation of your bedrooms that you can. Neatly made beds, clean floors and fresh clean curtains, all create a good impression. Remember the principle of good traffic flow. It applies here too.
Open every window covering. All drapes, curtains and blinds should be positioned to let in maximum light. Buyers like a house to be ‘light and bright’, so accommodate them! Turn on as many lights as possible.
Bathrooms:
Brightness in bathrooms is very important so replace bulbs where necessary. Clean all ceramic tiles, sinks, taps and floors. Ensure no taps drip. There are commercially available products which can remove even the most stubborn stains.
Remove any evidence of mildew and grime. Survey the grouting on floors and walls and ensure that any stains are removed, or grouting replaced if required.
Showing Your House To Maximum Advantage
You have inspected your home and your house has been cleaned throughout and you are ready to show it off at its best. All this effort to this point is to make a positive impression on the buyer when they see your home for the first time.
Good impressions are lasting impressions and good impressions also mean that the house has to smell good! Ensure strong smells are banished from the house. Use gentle scented sprays and air the house well before the scheduled viewing.
Most important words to remember are: No Clutter!
Make sure that everything is spotless. Pay particular attention to the bathrooms and the kitchen. In the bathrooms, towels should be fresh and clean, sinks and baths scrubbed, and the floor freshly cleaned. In the kitchen, make sure all dishes are put away and countertops and sinks cleaned, fridges, kettles and toasters are sparkling.
Keep all pets outside. Pets under foot will quickly put a damper on an otherwise positive showing. Prospective buyers may also be afraid of animals.
You’ve heard the saying, ‘Too many cooks spoil the broth’…..same applies to selling your property. You have appointed us to sell your home, let us do a professional job. If it is impossible for you to leave the premises, make yourself as inconspicuous as possible. If it is comfortable outside, go there until we leave.
