Fixed price sales are an option for those looking for a quick sale. Pricing your home with an offers over strategy gets the best price for your property.
That’s the strategy behind letting the market determine a selling price. It’s not always the result though. To get the best price, you need two or more buyers placing a bid on the property. This way. it's likely that someone will bid above the asking price and you'll walk away with more money.
Being proactive by taking steps to make your property attractable and marketable can do one of two things. Sell your home for a higher price, or help to get a quicker sale.
So, here's 5 ideas to increase the perceived value of your property
Minimise Clutter by Putting Items into Storage
Prospective buyers want to see space. Not how little space is available because shelves are stacked from floor to ceiling and filled, or walk-in cupboards have black bags falling out as you open the door.
When you’re close to putting your property on the market, have a look around your home and consider what you don’t need to hand. If it’s not needed, or it's items that are rarely used like camping equipment in January – store it somewhere else.
If you have a friend or family member with a guest room available, ask them if you can store some boxes. Failing that, consider using self-storage facilities for the short-term.
Give Your Rooms a Fresh Lick of Paint
When prospective buyers are house hunting, they’re looking for a house they can make their home, or buy it as part of an investment. To be attractive to both homemakers and investors, put your personal taste aside and keep your colours neutral.
Try beige, ivory, magnolia or perhaps a light shade of hazelnut if you don’t want it to look to bland. Tip: Whatever paint you use, keep the leftover paint. Label it with the colour and shade of paint, the date it was applied and the room it was used in. You can let potential buyers know the rooms have been recently painted and that leftovers are stored for touch-ups if they’d like them left. Sometimes it’s nice to know you can move in to a new property, work with what’s available and not have to decorate all the rooms right away.
Check All Safety Jobs are Done before Putting Your Home on the Market
A number of problems can occur with gas boilers and electrical wiring, yet not all of them are a major cause for concern. Still a concern though. If, on your last safety inspection, a gas technician issued a “cause for concern” card, or an electrical engineer issued a “safety advisory notice”, these are problems best rectified. Otherwise, a potential buyer just sees a barrier in front of them.
Properties sell faster for higher prices, when as many barriers/problems are rectified by existing owners, rather than leaving the problem to new buyers to fix. A prospective buyer would rather buy a property with all the maintenance jobs done, than a buy a home that comes with a to-do list of safety jobs.
Make the Most of Your Space
Prospective buyers aren’t always wanting large properties. It just needs to be big enough to meet their family’s needs. As an example of increasing usable space… if there’s a large walk-in cupboard, think of how it can be used.
If there are no shelves, it’s not being used to its fullest. Install some shelving, or fit a rail across it, transforming it from a walk-in cupboard to a walk-in wardrobe. Suddenly, the bedroom has a lot more space because there’s no longer a need for a wardrobe. It’s built-in.
Bring in Professional Cleaners
Most of us are cleaners to some extent, but chances are, you aren’t doing a professional clean every day, week or even month. Professional cleaning companies work in teams to handle spring cleans, and you can do this anytime of year.
Hire a cleaning crew before putting your home on the market to have prospective buyers come around to view your home when it’s fully sanitized, smells fresh, has streak-free mirrors and shower screens with gleaming ceramics around your bathroom.
In Summary
Not all prospective buyers are able to visualise your home as theirs. Personal touches to the interior décor, and personal belongings can block the creative minds of buyers. When you remove clutter, you make more space.
By giving your rooms a lick of fresh paint of a neutral colour, it makes it look larger. Having all property safety jobs done that've been advised, reduces barriers to buying.
Shelving and rails can be used to make better use of larger storage areas.
Professional cleaners can provide a deep and full spring clean, leaving your property feeling and smelling gorgeous, which can whet the appetite of any prospective buyer to come around and view your property.
If you’re planning on selling your property in Warrington, call 01925 499599 for expert advice, or drop by our office for a friendly chat.
