10 tips to help you increase the value of your home

So, you’ve decided to sell your most valuable asset: your home. MortgageBrokers.com.au offers ten surprisingly quick and easy ways to make the most of your property, and ultimately, increase the sale price.

1. Increase your properties street appeal. First impressions are vital when selling homes, most buyers will make a mental ‘yes’ or ‘no’ decision within three minutes of viewing a property. Due to this, it is vital to make the outside of your home as attractive and appealing as possible. Make sure the property is neat and tidy by keeping it clear of rubbish, stowing away garbage bins. Also, keep the lawn and garden beds trimmed and clear of debris such as palm fronds. If the property you are selling is in a communal block of flats or units, clear away the junk mail and old post.
   
   
2. Keep in mind that you want to give the impression that your home has been well cared for, so give the whole place a ‘Spring Clean’. Clear our gutters, remove any marks from walls and ensure that the bathroom(s) and kitchen are spotless. Don’t forget the oven, fridge and pantry; these can give the impression that the home is not well cared for if they are dirty or unkempt. You could even consider re-painting the front door and window trimmings for that extra ‘wow’ factor.
   
   
3. Always keep the windows clean and sparkling. This not only looks better, but allows more light to flood in, a key selling point for many buyers.
   
   
4. Don’t allow smoking inside. Ensure that all traces of cigarette smoke odour are removed from the home. Otherwise, potential buyers may find the smell off-putting and it can make them think twice about putting in an offer.
   
   
5. During viewings of the home make sure that pets are outdoors or otherwise contained. Stow away items such as dog beds and litter trays and make sure the property is clear of pet odour and pet hair.
   
   
6. Make sure that hallways and stairways are clear of clutter, this will not only make these spaces appear larger it will also help to give the feeling that entire property flows well. 
   
   
7. Storage space is always high on a buyers’ agenda, so you’ll need to give the impression that your home has enough to meet their needs. You can do this by de-cluttering and organising spaces such as shelves and cupboards. Pay particular attention to kitchen and bathroom cupboards, as this is where buyers often want extra storage space. Also, keep in mind that buyers often open and look inside cupboards, closets and the linen press. This makes it essential to keep these tidy and well organised at all times.
   
   
8. While having viewings, depersonalise the house. Potential buyers need to be able to imagine living in the space. This includes clearing away photos, clutter on the fridge and even taking down certain pieces of art if they have the potential to have a negative impact on the buyers.
   
   
9. Get used to living clutter-free and be prepared for last-minute viewings. It’s a good idea to keep the home in a state that will never need more than half an hour to have it ready for an inspection.
   
   
10. Be aware of what you say to prospective buyers. Don’t ever say that you’re moving due to noisy traffic, horrible neighbours or because the house is too small. Always use common sense, accentuate the homes’ good points and play down any negatives.