Yes, it’s Captain Obvious, but you’d be surprised. Make sure your whole property is neat and tidy when buyers arrive, including the garden and outside areas.
Dust, vacuum, scrub, wash, buff – make all those annoying tasks earn their keep.
Don’t forget to clean inside ovens, cupboards and wardrobes, in case potential buyers indulge a snoop.
Remove shoes from the entrance and any hazards people might trip over.
Get the big clean out of the way in advance, then keep your place in good condition while your place is on the market. That way you should only need a refresh to prepare for a new inspection date, rather than a top to bottom makeover.
Clear out the mailbox and get those rubbish bins emptied and, ideally, out of sight (especially if they’re normally one of the first things people will see arriving at your home).
Enlist a professional organiser or declutterer if you need a hand – or a friend might even help out. Get a second opinion who can review objectively.
Air out your home thoroughly before the inspection, so it feels as fresh and clean as possible. If potential buyers feel stuffy they’ll head straight for the door.
If the weather and security permits, crack open a window or two during the inspections themselves, so air keeps flowing through.
Draw back curtains and blinds to bring in as much as light as possible and show off your house from the street.
Keep an eye on the weather and heat or cool your home so it’s optimal when would-be buyers walk through.
People shoudn’t raise a sweat or a chill, and you need to demonstrate your property can effortlessly cope with the climate around it. You should be aiming to give them a cool or warm blast, depending on what’s most welcome at that time.
You can take items with you if you’re leaving the premises for the inspection, or lock them up in a safe or secure cupboard or drawer. If you don’t have an area you can lock away, hide them in the back of a wardrobe or somewhere out of sight and mind.
While your house is getting the once over, you should leave potential buyers to wander your halls unencumbered and relaxed.
Head out for a short time, taking any other family members or inhabitants with you (including the pets).
Have a bag ready so you can leave quickly (this is also handy for any unplanned inspections). Don’t forget to do a quick pass through on the way out, clearing away any new messes or misplaced objects, like toys.
Author: Venessa Paech
Source:realestate.com.au
