When selling your home, first impressions matter. A little time and effort spent presenting your property well can help attract more potential buyers, secure a higher sale price, and sell faster.
But where should you focus your attention? The list of to-do jobs can seem endless when preparing your home to go on the market. There are some key areas, however, that are more likely to win over prospective house-hunters.
Here’s our easy-to-follow checklist to guide you on how to best prepare your property for inspection.
Maximise your curb appeal
Many buyers do a ‘drive past’ of a property they are interested in before deciding whether an inspection is worthwhile. They’ll make a quick judgment based on what they see – so don’t give them excuses not to return. Making a good first impression starts right at the kerb. If you’re unsure, park your car out the front of your home and look at it from a buyer’s perspective. Would it entice you inside?
Here are some simple jobs to help enhance your curb appeal:
- Make sure your property’s number is clearly visible from the street
- Ensure your outside light bulbs are working
- High-pressure clean pavements to remove grime or dirt
- Paint the fence if it’s looking scruffy or paint a feature of your home, such as the front door, letterbox, or fence, in a bright color. This will grab attention without dominating the view.
- Tidy up the front garden – keep it neat and trim, weed the garden beds, remove dead plants, and mow the lawn – even the strip out the front of your home.
- Style the front garden – you don’t need professional landscaping, but a simple makeover can help. Define flower beds with small shrubs or grasses and add some timber borders. Add a few larger plants as focal points but keep them in proportion to the size of your garden.
- Keep all garbage bins out of sight
Clean the entire property
Getting your property ready for a home inspection means rolling up your sleeves and getting everything sparkling clean. The end goal is to make someone else fall in love with your home, just as you once did.
- Clean all windows and window frames
- Remove any cobwebs, including those high on the ceiling
- Wipe down and dust every surface you can reach
- Clean the inside of your cupboards
- Remove grime, animal hair, mould, dust… anything that shouldn’t be there
Repair obvious problems
You may have been ignoring that squeaky front gate or cracked window for a while, but chances are they won’t be missed by a potential buyer. Now is the time to tackle any small jobs as you prepare your home for inspection.
Some jobs that might need your quick attention include:
- Replacing any broken tiles
- Re-grouting around tiles
- Fixing any leaky taps
- Patching any holes in the walls
- Fixing any doors that don’t swing easily
- Resurfacing or painting over chipped or stained surfaces
- Replacing cracked glass or mirrors
- Fixing the front gate if it doesn’t open properly
- Replacing any burnt-out light bulbs
Depersonalise and declutter
You want buyers to fall in love with your house, to be able to picture themselves cooking in your kitchen, entertaining friends at the table, or relaxing in the bedroom. To make this possible, you need to make sure your property isn’t overflowing with personal items. This means decluttering to showcase your home’s features and make each room look its best.
- Pack away family photographs and personal treasures
- Retain just enough ornaments to ensure it looks lived in and welcoming
- Arrange furniture so that it looks stylish and allows people to move around easily
- Ensure cushions are placed neatly on sofas
- Make the beds every day to perfection
Maximise light and air
How nice is it to walk into a light-filled and airy space? When preparing your home for open inspection, it’s important to draw in as much natural light as possible to add a feeling of freshness.
- Remove heavy drapes or blinds if they’re reducing the light
- Open all blinds, curtains, and shutters
- Air out your home for at least an hour before the inspection
- Add potted plants around your interior
- Place freshly cut flowers in a vase
Boost the appeal of key areas
Walk through your home and think about what made you fall in love with it in the first place. Potential buyers need to feel an emotional connection as soon as they walk through the front door.
Living Room
- Relocate bulky or dark furniture to maximise space
- Reposition your furniture to improve flow
- Have carpets professionally cleaned
Kitchen
- Clear the clutter from the countertops
- Update everyday appliances like a kettle and toaster
- Ensure oven, cooktop, and dishwasher are in working order
Bathroom
- Clean tiles and grouting, and make sure mirrors and shower screens are spotless
- Use liquid pump soap to reduce mess
- Fix cracked basins, toilets, or tubs
- Clear clutter off the vanity and only leave essentials, like a soap or small pot plant
- Invest in new towels for a fresh look
Bedrooms
- Invest in new linen and matching bedside lamps
- Declutter wardrobes to showcase storage space
- Empty linen baskets and bins
Garden
Spend a few hours sprucing up the garden to increase curb appeal and make your home look more inviting. Even if your balcony is small, adding a table and chair makes the space functional.
- Weed the garden beds
- Sweep the front path
- Mow the lawn and keep it mowed throughout the marketing campaign
- Prune shrubs and trees into shape
- Ensure all kids’ play equipment is clean and tidy
Book a free expert property appraisal
Book a free expert property appraisal with your local #1 Property Centre real estate agent to get an idea of how much your home is worth. Our team has over 90 years of combined experience and will provide valuable advice on preparing your home for inspection.