Getting Sale Ready: Essential Steps for Listing Your Property
Selling your property can be an exciting yet challenging endeavour. Whether you're moving to a new location, upgrading, or downsizing, preparing your home for sale is crucial for attracting potential buyers and maximising its value.
To ensure a smooth and less stressful sale, you need to get your property sale ready. This article will guide you through essential steps to prepare your property for listing, with a special focus on ensuring legal documents related to building works and property improvements are included to expedite the conveyancing process.
Declutter and depersonalise
Before showcasing your home to potential buyers, decluttering is essential. Remove excess belongings, personal items, and any unnecessary furniture. Having a clear hallway is vital – prams, bikes, shoes and scooters are stored away. Your agent is showing a home not an assault course!
If you lack storage, this is where the car can become as useful place to keep some of these items.
Decluttering not only makes your home look more spacious but also allows buyers to envision their own belongings in the home. It's also a great time to gather and organise any documents related to property improvements and building works.
Deep clean
A clean and well-maintained home is more appealing to potential buyers. Consider hiring professionals for a deep clean that includes carpets, windows, and hard-to-reach areas. During this process, keep an eye out for receipts, permits, and any paperwork related to renovations or repairs you've made.
Make repairs
Walk through your property and address any visible repairs or maintenance issues. This is also a good time to gather documents related to these repairs. If you've had contractors or professionals work on your property, make sure to collect all receipts, warranties, and permits associated with the work.
Freshen up with paint
A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for a property's appeal. If you've recently painted your home or touched up specific areas, gather any relevant documents that show the type of paint used, the date of the work, and the contractors involved.
Enhance curb appeal
The first impression your property makes is often from the curb. Invest in landscaping, tidy up the front garden, and make necessary exterior repairs. Clean the front door and polish ironmongery. A cost effective thing to do and something which make a huge difference is to get the windows cleaned inside and out, in particular if it’s during winter when we have lots of rain.
Plus, ensure that you have all the paperwork related to these improvements, including any permits or legal documents for landscaping changes.
Staging
Home staging is the art of decorating and arranging your property to make it more appealing to buyers. If you've invested in staging, keep records of expenses, receipts, and any contracts with professional stagers. This is well worth considering if the property is empty, it gives a sense of perspective of space and size.
Professional photography
In today's digital age, high-quality photos are critical for online listings. Hire a professional photographer to capture the best angles and lighting to showcase your property in its best possible light. Keep any invoices or receipts related to this service.
Set the right price
Pricing your property correctly is one of the most critical factors for a successful sale. Consult with your local estate agent, and be prepared to provide any documentation related to property improvements or renovations that can justify your asking price.
Market strategically
In addition to listing your property on popular real estate websites and through an agent, consider other marketing strategies. Use social media, online ads, and traditional marketing methods to reach a broad audience of potential buyers. Be ready to provide documents proving the quality and legality of any improvements or updates.
Be flexible and available
Once your property is on the market, be flexible with showings and open houses. Accommodating potential buyers' schedules can significantly increase the chances of finding the right buyer quickly. Make sure you have all relevant documents ready to share with potential buyers, real estate agents, and legal professionals during the conveyancing process.
Preparing your property for sale is a multi-step process that involves careful planning, attention to detail, and a bit of investment. By taking these essential steps to get your property sale ready and ensuring that all legal documents related to building works and property improvements are included, you will not only increase your chances of attracting the right buyer, but also expedite the conveyancing process, making the overall selling experience smoother and more efficient.
Author:
Alex Oppenheim
Director
