Is my property ready to put on the market?

 

Okay, you’ve decided you want to sell your home. But how do you know if it’s ready for buyers to come knocking?

Most people know that a well-presented property is paramount to getting the best possible result at sale time, however everyone has different standards, and it’s not always easy to tell if a property is being shown in its best light.

It always pays to talk to a real estate expert as soon as you’re starting to think about selling. They will help you work out what, if anything, should be done at your property to help maximise its value.

In some cases there will be homes where there is no need to touch a thing, such as homes being sold to a renovating crowd, but in other cases a few simple changes may be recommended.

Here are some general questions you can ask yourself before listing:

 

Have you finished the renos?

 

A home that is part way through a major renovation is going to bring up major red flags for potential buyers. Many will wonder if something went wrong, or assume there are hefty costs involved in getting the property up to scratch.

If you can, it’s generally worth investing a little more in the property so you can complete any incomplete renovations. You don’t need to go overboard, but aim to at least make the property functional and move-in ready. Otherwise it could be severely undervalued by buyers, or have difficulty selling at all.

 

Is there anything to repair?

 

Make a list of items around the home that are in need of improvement. This could be things such as broken windows and leaky taps, or worn out flooring and chipped paint. All of these things will give off the impression that a home hasn’t been well maintained and therefore they will affect a property’s value.

You don’t need to go overboard in fixing up a home to sell, and in some cases you may be better off selling a property “as is”, but if you can make small changes that will help present a property in better light then it’s definitely worth doing.

 

What does the front yard look like?

 

There’s no getting around the fact that first impressions count when it comes to property.

Whether a home is being sold as a fixer upper or not, it is still worth getting the garden into a manageable state. This will improve the property’s appearance and make it easier for buyers to inspect.

Do things like mowing and pruning of trees and shrubs and keep walkways and driveways clear.

 

Does the inside need a freshen up?

There’s a lot you can do to a property’s interior to make it more appealing. From painting to de-cluttering and staging, there’s no shortage of tasks that can help make the inside of your home shine.

However if you’re pushed on time or budget then there’s no need to go over the top. Simply stick with a good clean, and try to make your home as welcoming as possible.

Professionally staging the property and adding small details to help showcase the lifestyle it offers can go a long way in helping it sell though, so ask your real estate agent for advice on whether this would be a worthwhile investment for you.