Ready, Set, Sell!

Whether you’re selling the family home or renovating for resale, our experts have got you covered.

- Andrew Duncan

Before you sell your home

BY ANDREW DUNCAN REAL ESTATE BLOGGER AND LICENSED AGENT

Selling a home is a tricky business, especially in today’s unpredictable market. But there are a few straightforward things you can do to prepare for the moment when your home hits the market. When I meet with prospective sellers,

I usually recommend a four-step plan: painting, gardening, cleaning and de-cluttering. In my opinion, these are the most cost-effective ways to maximise the sale price of any home.

More extensive renovations such as upgrading kitchens and bathrooms take time and energy, and you will be doing well to simply get your money back on settlement day. If you have the skills to complete this work yourself or have family/friends who can do it on the cheap, lucky you! Just make sure you stick to a simple plan to keep a limit on costs.

PAINTING

You should paint bathroom ceilings if they need it, and paint kitchen cupboards if the colours are dated. Consider changing the handles as well – this is a very inexpensive way to modernise your kitchen and most cupboard handles are a standard size so they are easy to change (all you need is a screwdriver).

Consider painting hallways and rooms if the existing colours are very dark. Use light, neutral colours at all times.

Paint your front doorway (and front door if required) to improve a buyer’s first impression. Go for a bold colour that fits the exterior colour scheme of your property – a dark red front door looks great next to grey weatherboards. Re-staining decks can also be a fairly simple job with not too much prep work involved and can also make a big difference to the overall appeal of your home.