12th October 2018 / Beth Oleyar: 7 Tips to Sell Your Home Faster this Spring!

Known as one of the best times of year to sell your home, Spring is always a busy

period for the real estate industry. The weather is warmer, our mood is brighter and

a flurry of properties hit the market. If you're planning to take advantage of the

Spring selling season, it's essential to give your home the best possible chance of

attracting new owners.

Here's how.

1. Think like a buyer!

Put yourself in the shoes of a potential buyer and look at your home through their eyes.

Try and think about the tastes and requirements of the type of person who might buy

your home – are they likely to be a family, professional couple or investor? Consider

whether the layout, décor and styling of your home is appealing to your target market.

2. Paint & Flooring

It's a great idea to give your property a fresh coat of neutral paint colour, to ensure your

home appeals to the largest possible audience. Many potential buyers want to see a

blank canvas when they're house hunting, where they can inject their own personality.

It's important to also repair any nail holes or other damage before starting your paint

project and don't forget the ceilings and trim!

If you have carpet that looks tired and threadbare, it's a good idea to have them

replaced, if your budget permits. At the very least, professional carpet cleaning with

treatment for stains can make a huge difference in brightening up a room. Tiles and

floorboards should be thoroughly swept and mopped. Any hardwood floors that are

scratched or have lost their sheen should be refinished or replaced as required.

3. Declutter!

It can be one of the most difficult aspects of preparing your home for sale, but one of

the most important. Any items you don't regularly use, are broken, damaged or simply

take up too much space, need to be cleared out, donated to charity or temporarily

stored elsewhere. You need to be able to show off your home's features and create a

spacious feel. In addition, this will help you when it's time to move as well!

4. De-Personalise

Over the years you will have spent time creating a home that suits your own style,

filling it with memories. When it comes time to preparing for your next chapter, it's

important to spend the time to eliminate personal effects so that your home becomes

a place where potential buyers can envision themselves living. Try replacing personal

photographs with some inviting, tasteful artwork.

5. Let there be light!

Good lighting is important as it can make your home feel more spacious and enhance

its features. It may be worth investing in some brighter lightbulbs for maximum impact

– just not so bright that they appear clinical! Of course, ensure that natural light can

stream through the home by opening up curtains and blinds when it comes to open

day.

6. Add fresh scents

Use beautiful scented candles and diffusers throughout the home, particularly in the

living area, master bedroom and bathroom. Simple, fresh scents are ideal, such as

orange, lemon, pine, basil, vanilla and cinnamon.

7. Home Styling

Engaging a professional property stylist can ensure that your home achieves the

right first impression with potential buyers. They can view the spaces in your home

objectively, and style it so that it can appeal to a wider demographic. They don't have

your emotional attachment to the property, yet they're able to make it feel like a

potential home for a broad range of buyers.