Presenting your home

How you present your home for sale can have a huge impact on your success in selling it. Staging can help. Staging is presenting your home in its most appealing light to the majority of home buyers. In theory, staging isn't hard or costly, but in reality, many homeowners find it difficult because it's often hard to see something objectively when we love it. It is important not to spend too much money on home improvements unless there is major work needed. An easy way to see effectively staged homes is to visit your local show home. Decorating a show home is expensive, but builders are willing to invest the cost because they understand just how well a staged home sells. You too can profit from this knowledge, without having the expense.

They say you can only make one "first impression," and people usually form their first impression within 30 seconds. What potential buyers see when they drive up to your house will be their first impression. This is a good place to spend a little extra time and money. Make sure the garden is neat and tidy as this is also a big selling point to buyers.  If possible give the front lawn a mow, tidy the boarders, make the driveway look neat and remove any weeds. Spruce up the front door, making sure the bell works and the letter box is shiny and clean.

Advisory improvements to make are :

• Thoroughly clean your house from top to bottom, including the skirting boards, the curtains and windows. Your home must sparkle. 
• Do check over your house to see if there is anything that needs fixing. Anything of this nature will send the wrong message to potential buyers. Getting them fixed before you put your house on the market is a smart idea. 
• The "50% Rule" suggests that you should eliminate the clutter in your home by at least half. This may be the hardest rule of all! We love our clutter - it reflects our memories, hobbies, and values. But it doesn't help you sell your homes, and this is what it's all about. Clutter makes homes seem smaller and disorganised. De-clutter as much as possible. There is no point in transporting clutter to your new home, so this is a great opportunity to have a good clear out now rather than waiting for when you do actually move.
  
• It you are painting, use neutral colours as they help sell. It's a fact. Potential buyers walking through your home want to imagine themselves as the owners and a neutral canvas aids this vision. If you use styles or colours they would never select, you've potentially just turned them off. Staying high-quality, but neutral is the safest option and does cost much at all.
• Buying a home is an emotional decision, and you want potential buyers to make an emotional connection with your home by being able to "see" themselves in it. Remove objects that your potential buyers won't be able to identify with.
• Make sure your house smells nice. Try and free your home from pet smells, this very off-putting for potential buyers. Try to air your property as much as possible or use air fresheners, but don’t go overboard as this can also be off putting. The age old trick of baking bread or brewing coffee always seems to work.
• The kitchen is one of the main rooms that sell houses to potential buyers. Make sure it is spotless and clutter free. It sounds obvious, but remember not to cook fragrant food whilst viewings are taking place.

Once you accept the challenge that you're turning your home into a "show home" to sell at top price and in record time, you've won half the battle. You'll be well rewarded for your efforts!