Selling property is not an easy task, even more so when the property market is slow. However, there are ways to market a property so that it gets noticed by potential buyers more easily, which could lead to fast sale and minimal negotiations, especially when it comes to certain types of properties.
One of the best tips is to redecorate the entrance of your home. It is proven that buyers decide in the first few seconds upon seeing a property whether it is worthy or not to purchase. There are many other tricks to captivate potential buyers and here some you may find useful when selling your home.
1. If you’re still living in the property you want to sell, try to live with only the minimum and most essential items. If you do not have a place to store your things, rent storage space. The property should look neat, tidy, and organized at all times. You never know when potential buyers will drop by for a viewing.
2. While it is true that having some furniture in the property will make it easier for the buyer to get an idea of the dimensions of the property, having too many items inside will have the opposite effect, as visitors will feel the space is much smaller than it is.
3. Note that old beds, tables, shelves, and cabinets usually make rooms look much darker and cramped.
4. The storage room, if any, must also be cleared so that the overall property looks and feels more spacious. Remember, the next owner might have other uses for the room.
5. Add a decorative touch with neutral colours, plants or candles (never leave candles lit if you are not in the room). If you do not know where to start, there are professionals who do “home staging” in order to sell a home faster.
6. You should also consider repainting the property, as doing so will also help eliminate unwanted odours, as well as make the home look clean, bright, and brand new (and thus more appealing).
7. Thoroughly clean all corners of the home so that whoever comes to view the property feels at ease at all times.
8. For the same reason, check all bulbs and light fixtures to ensure there is good lighting in all areas of the house.
9. Places some refreshments (e.g. mints, candies, bottled water) in a cozy area of the property so that visitors can sit and reflect after the visit. Making them feel at home will help them ‘connect’ to the property and hopefully lead to a successful deal.
10. Once everything is in order, take pictures of the property particularly when there is plenty of bright natural light. Take several shots at different times of the day to capture the best angles of your property, and choose the best ones for your online and offline listings.
11. If the property needs repairs, it is a good idea to ask for an estimate cost to repair everything so you are able to tell the buyer about it.
12. Be realistic with the price. Make comparisons with other properties in your area (those that you know have been sold, not those that have been in the market for more than a year) and leave some margin for negotiations. Savvy homebuyers will have done similar homework, and you must be prepared for them.
13. If you are going to list your property for sale in different channels (property websites, Facebook, newspaper, etc), ensure that the listed price is the same across all channels, otherwise you could risk creating distrust and skepticism among potential buyers.
(Source: The New Savvy)
