PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR SELL

Buyers first impressions really do count and that’s why it’s important that you prepare your home for sale. Buyers like houses that are clean, well taken care of and up-to-date. Remember that small improvements can make a big difference!

Tips to help get your home ready for sale

There are a lot of details to take care of before you list your home and show it to prospective buyers. We have prepared this list, which points out things potential buyers are most likely to notice. Walk your entire property inside and out and identify problem areas that should be repaired or upgraded, then prioritize those fixes within your budget and the time frame you have established for selling.

Do Your Homework

Have most important property documents ready, to include:

  • Escritura (Title Deeds)
  • Nota Simple (Land Registration)
  • Energy Performance Certificate
  • Yearly IBI tax payments
  • Water & Electricity bills

General

  • Have everything clean and tidy
  • Flowers and plants are a nice touch
  • Eliminate clutter wherever possible as this creates the impression of spaciousness

Kitchen

  • The kitchen is often considered the most important room of the house, pay particular attention to the cleanliness and storage
  • Make sure all appliances are clean and in good working condition
  • Polish chrome surfaces
  • Fix any dripping taps or loose cabinet hardware
  • Tidy out drawers and cabinets

Living and Dining room

  • Make your home feel warm and cosy – consider running the heater prior to the buyers visit if there is a chill in the air
  • Consider adding additional cushions and throw rugs on your sofa
  • Turn on side lamps and increase the room ambience

Storage

  • Declutter! As a general rule take out half of what’s in the wardrobes and storage areas to make them look bigger
  • Remove excess furniture, even if it’s only temporarily, to make rooms seem as spacious as possible
  • Basement, attics and garages often end up as dumping grounds
  • Make sure these areas are well organised and give prospective clients the impressions that there’s plenty of room for all their furniture and personal items

Outside

  • Your buyers will make their initial assessment of your property as soon as they set eyes on it so it pays to tidy up the grounds and create a neat and tidy entrance
  • Weed the gardens, trim back overgrown trees and shrubs
  • Sweep up leaves

Walls and Ceilings

  • Repair any cracks in the walls or ceilings and repaint if necessary
  • Strip outdated wall paper and replace or paint
  • Clean finger marks off high-traffic areas and get rid of cobwebs

Windows

  • Clean windows inside and out
  • Replace cracked glass, broken sashes and cords
  • Remove and store any net curtains
  • Open curtains to let in as much light as possible, especially if the view is a feature

Floors

  • Vacuum thoroughly or have it professionally cleaned
  • If it is badly worn, outdated or stained, consider having it replaced
  • Clean tile floors, and repair or replace cracked tiles

 Paint

  • Take a good look at the paint on the inside and outside of your home. If it is cracking, peeling or chipping you need a fresh coat for your exterior. It may cost you a bit of time and money but may elevate your home from “fixer-upper” to “move in and enjoy.”
  • Choose colours that are appropriate to the style of your house and that blend in well with the neighbourhood

Roof

  • Buyers will pay close attention to its condition
  • Paint corrugated iron or clean tiles, fix leaky corroded downpipes and gutters. Inside, a watermarked ceiling is a sign to buyers that the roof has leaked – even if the cause has been repaired

Last Tips

  • We advice that you and your pets are absent while the Agent and the Buyers are visiting your property. Also, make sure that pets beddings are removed to eliminate any odors.
  • If you choose to stay, let your Agent do the talking
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