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Put Signage Up in Front of Your Property
Signage is one of the most important parts of selling a house. It is also the area where people decide to save money and make a sign themselves, not realising the impact will have. This is why Albany Property Sell-it-yourself packages include a professional sign for you to erect in front of your property and if you live within a 50km radius of Albany we will come and install it for you (conditions apply, please contact us for more information).


Possible Improvements to be Made Before Selling: Preparing Your Home “For Sale”
Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes- first impressions are everything. Read through our checklist and systematically walk through the house and take note of what must be done before any home opens.

Outside

• The front of your house is the first thing potential buyers will see. Stand at the end of your drive way and try to view it from an outsiders perspective – does it like inviting? Would they be proud to call it home?
• Lawn: must be tidy. Ensure that all lawn areas are mowed with the edges trimmed and free of weeds, leaves and branches.
• Garden: a layer of fresh mulch in the garden can make a garden bed look new again.
• Fences and Gates: must be in working order and may require repainting.
• House: the outside of the house may need a fresh coat of paint. Make sure the roof and gutters have no leaves or debris and that the roof has no broken or missing tiles.
• Driveway: must be swept the morning of inspection or open house. Ensure there are no oil stains or weeds and fix any broken bricks or cracks.
• Windows: wash all windows and check that none are cracked, and that the flyscreens are  all in piece.
• The Door: literally the gateway to the house. It might be worth repainting the door and its frame. Make sure that the doorbell works and that the doormat is clean. Fresh pot plants by the front door make the place seem inviting and friendly and may be worth investing in.

Inside

• The most important thing is to make sure your house is clean. Walk through the house and look for anything that needs fixing – broken doors, leaky taps, squeaky hinges. If you can find it, potential buyers will too.
• Declutter:  make the house look as big as you can by removing all excess furniture – especially those pieces that have seen better days. It may be worth investing in a storage unit for a short period of time. Any unwanted items can be donated to charity or sold at a garage sale.
• Clean the walls: get out the sugar soap and a scrubbing brush and remove all dirty marks and stains. If they don’t look clean by the time you’ve finished then you’ll need to give them a fresh coat of paint.
• Clean all curtains and drapes
• Clean your carpet and rugs: either hire a carpet shampoo machine from your local hardware store or a professional to do it for you.
• Check your doors: that they open and close fully and properly and that the doorknobs are tight. Check for any old stickers or residue and repaint if necessary.
• Check your plumbing: you might be used to the strange sounds coming from your laundry or bathroom, but chances are any potential buyers are not and will pick up on it immediately. This also goes for rust, water stains and dripping taps.
• Bathroom: Scrub all surfaces until they sparkle, and make sure you clean all grout, redoing any bits that need replacing.
• Wardrobes: people are always interested in how much space is in wardrobes – so be prepared. Take all non-essentials to the storage unit, and remove anything that is not deemed appropriate for the public eye.
• Check all light switches: they must all be clean and obviously work!

Right before they arrive

• Beware of scents: To make the house seem homely, make a fresh pot of tea or coffee. If anyone living in the house is a smoker, encourage them to only smoke outside and use an air freshener in the house a few minutes before anyone arrives.
• Fresh flowers: a vase of flowers really brightens up a room and gives a fresh look that shows you care about your home.
• Pets: people are often allergic or afraid of dogs and cats. Make sure that they are either outside or off the premises during any inspections, and that there are no fleas on the animals or in the house.

Major Improvements
Most renovations will cost you more to do than what you will gain from it. They will also delay your sale. The cheapest and one of the most efficient ways to get your house looking like new is to give it a new lick of paint.