Table of Contents
Numerous studies have found that most of us tend to make up our minds about people within mere seconds of meeting them. So, it might not be a surprise that if you are selling your home, prospective buyers are doing the same thing with the property. Today, more and more buyers are quickly making up their mind about a house within just minutes of seeing it and making very fast decisions about whether or not a property is worth investigating further or whether they should move on to the next option. To make sure that buyers are more likely to stick around and want to learn more about your property and what it has to offer, creating the best first impression is key.
Distance Yourself from the House
You’re selling your property, so one of the first things that you’ll need to do is distance yourself from it. So far, it has been your home and you’ve been able to put your own stamp on things with décor and belongings. But not everybody has the same taste, and what you like might be a massive turn-off for a potential buyer. The first step is to clear out your home and remove any traces of yourself. Put as many of your items as possible in storage and redecorate in neutral colours that can easily be painted or wallpapered over when the buyers move in and start to make the place their own.
Improve the Kerb Appeal
Often, the first impression of a house will begin much sooner than when your prospective buyer walks through the door and looks through the rooms. What your buyer thinks when they pull up outside your home from the road will shape their opinion of what’s inside in many cases, which is why it’s so important to focus on kerb appeal and ensure that your buyers are wowed as soon as they park up outside. Take a good look at what you are presenting to the world when it comes to the exterior of your home. Peeling paint and an overgrown front garden might put potential buyers off no matter how nice the interior is, so spend some time tidying up outside, pressure-washing your driveway, cleaning the windows, and giving the woodwork a fresh coat of paint.
Fix All the Broken Stuff
Fixing everything that is in need of repair might be an obvious step when looking to sell your home, but it can be all too easy to forget about those minor issues like broken light switches or bulbs that need replacing. Squeaky doors, cracks in the woodwork, and broken door handles might be something that you have gotten used to over the years of living in your house, but to a prospective buyer, it could be very off-putting. Going through your house to take care of any minor repairs and make sure that everything is working well will make sure that your risk of putting the buyer off is very low.
Boost the Outdoor Space
If you have a nice backyard or garden at your home, there are several things that you can do to improve the outdoor space and make it more appealing to your prospective buyer. Many homebuyers will be impressed by a home that has an inviting outdoor space where they can see themselves relaxing on a summer evening, and it’s not difficult to spruce up the outdoors and provide this as an option. Check out the eco-friendly composite decking options from Ecoscape that you can use to build a deck in the outdoor space that is sure to impress. Ecoscape UK offers a huge range of colours and styles with something to suit every home. Click the following link to find out more: https://ecoscapeuk.co.uk/products/composite-decking/.
Deep Clean
It should go without saying that the house should be thoroughly cleaned before you begin showing it off to prospective buyers. Layers of dust and dirt in areas that don’t get cleaned very often can be a huge turn-off to keen-eyed buyers who might notice this straight away. One of the best investments that you can make in selling your home is to get professional cleaners in to spruce the place up and make sure that no surface goes untouched when it comes to cleaning and disinfecting. In 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, cleanliness is even more important to prospective buyers who want to ensure that they are at a low risk of catching the coronavirus when moving home.
Plan a Small Makeover
You may not have the budget to plan a huge renovation of your home before putting it on the market, but there are several things that you can do to make your property over without spending a fortune. Focusing your attention on key areas such as the bathroom and kitchen is a good idea, since these are often the rooms that potential buyers will focus on the most. A new coat of paint on the walls and cabinets and upgrading door handles and other fixtures can make a huge amount of difference. Storage is another key factor for many prospective homebuyers, so consider adding opportunities for extra storage throughout the home wherever you can.
Appeal to All the Senses
Once your home has been decluttered, cleaned, and everything is in good repair, it’s time to think about how you can appeal to potential buyers even further through all of their senses. Whether you place nicely scented candles and diffusers throughout the home, play soft music during viewings, or have a nice water feature situated outside, there are several things that you can do to drown out the noise of the neighbourhood and make your home feel cosier and more inviting. It’s best to avoid cleaning your home immediately before a viewing since the smell of harsh chemicals can be overpowering and might put potential buyers off.
Making a good first impression with your home is important for improving the chances of it selling quickly and for the right price. The good news is that you do not have to invest in major renovations to impress potential buyers right away.
